Archaeologists uncover 4,000-year-old handprint on ancient Egyptian clay model PHOTO

A rare 4,000-year-old handprint has been discovered on a clay funerary model from Ancient Egypt, offering a direct connection to the anonymous artisan who crafted the object millennia ago.

Researchers from the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge stumbled upon the imprint while preparing the artifact—known as a "soul house"—for the upcoming exhibition Made in Ancient Egypt, opening on October 3, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The clay model, dating back to around 2055–1650 BCE, was designed to serve as a symbolic home for the soul of the deceased and often featured an open space for food offerings such as bread, vegetables, or ox heads.

According to a statement from the museum, the complete handprint was found underneath the two-story model and likely formed when the potter lifted the damp clay structure prior to firing it in a kiln. Traces of a wooden framework, which burned away during firing, were also identified, providing insights into the ancient construction process.

“We’ve spotted traces of fingerprints left in wet varnish or on a coffin in the decoration, but it is rare and exciting to find a complete handprint underneath this soul house,” said Helen Strudwick, senior Egyptologist and exhibition curator. “You can just imagine the person who made this, picking it up to move it out of the workshop to dry before firing.”

The discovery underscores the exhibition’s focus on the often-overlooked lives of the artisans behind ancient artifacts. While names like Tutankhamun are widely known, little attention is paid to the everyday craftspeople who created the material culture of ancient Egypt.

“Things like this take you directly to the moment when the object was made and to the person who made it, which is the focus of our exhibition,” Strudwick added.

Pottery was a widely used and essential part of life in ancient Egypt, often serving both functional and ceremonial purposes. Due to the ready availability of clay, potters typically held low social status, despite the enduring legacy of their craftsmanship.

The soul house featuring the handprint will be a central piece in the Made in Ancient Egypt exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum, aiming to shine a spotlight on the skilled hands behind Egypt’s enduring treasures.

By Vugar Khalilov