Shabti dolls are the most abundant sort of ancient Egyptian item that have survived (besides scarabs). As previously stated, they were discovered in the graves of persons from various social groups, from the lowest to the wealthiest, and from commoner to monarch. They served as servants to accompany the dead to the afterlife. In order to place them in the tomb, the deceased first had to acquire them. The usual method for doing so was to go to a special shop owned by a mason or sculptor where such items were sold. The price of a shabti varied depending on its material quality and type; the best ones cost much more than others. However, even the poorest ones were able to afford them. The number of shabtis ranged from a few dozen to hundreds. This variation is probably due to different levels of wealth within the community. However, all shabtis seem to have been placed in the tomb together with their master. There are no examples of shabtis being left in the burial chamber or anywhere else inside the tomb while the owner went outside to take up his/her position beside the deceased. Shabtis were commonly made of the same materials as the body they accompanied: wood, stone, and clay. However, some shabtis were also made of gold, silver, and other materials valuable to the dead person.