Mystery · Ancient Beliefs
Workers for the Afterlife
Shabti figurines
The question
Why were small shabti figures placed in ancient Egyptian tombs?
- To tell the time
- To protect food from insects
- To work for the deceased in the afterlife(correct answer)
The answer: To work for the deceased in the afterlife
Ancient Egyptians imagined the afterlife as a version of everyday life — including farm work. Shabtis were small funerary figures meant to answer if the deceased was called to labour, tilling fields or carrying sand in their place. Many are inscribed with a spell from the Book of the Dead and shown holding farming tools.
- Civilization
- Ancient Egypt
- Region
- North Africa
- Period
- c. 2000–30 BCE
- Featured in
- Daily Discovery #001 · 2 November 2026
Three new discoveries every day
A little mystery. A little history. About 90 seconds.
Play Today’s Discoveries