page_title: Hypocephalus
hierarchical_section_title: Hypocephalus
caption_attribution_description: English: A hypocephalus (Greek υποκέφαλος, meaning "under the head") is a small disc-shaped object that was placed under the head of a deceased person in Ancient Egypt. It was believed to magically protect the deceased, providing "life-giving fire" to the head and body, and making the deceased divine. This hypocephalus is inscribed with Chapter 162 of the Book of the Dead, and depicts a Hathor-cow in front of the four sons of Horus, baboons paying obeisance to the four-headed Ram of Mendes, and barques.
context_page_description: A hypocephalus is a small disk-shaped object generally made of stuccoed linen, but also of papyrus, bronze, gold, wood, or clay, which ancient Egyptians from the Late Period onwards placed under the heads of their dead. The circle was believed to magically protect the deceased, cause the head and body to be enveloped in light and warmth, making the deceased divine. It replaced the earlier cow-amulet.
context_section_description: A hypocephalus is a small disk-shaped object generally made of stuccoed linen, but also of papyrus, bronze, gold, wood, or clay, which ancient Egyptians from the Late Period onwards placed under the heads of their dead. The circle was believed to magically protect the deceased, cause the head and body to be enveloped in light and warmth, making the deceased divine. It replaced the earlier cow-amulet.
caption: Hypocephalus of Tasheritkhons inscribed with Chapter 162 of the Book of the Dead, on display at the British Museum
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