The Set of Ushabtis in the Box From SC3, Theban Tomb 209, Luxor

Typological and Chronological Study and Statistical Analysis of the Dimensions of its Figurines

Abstract

The article offers a methodological approach for the study of the production process of small faience ushabtis, which were characteristic in the first millennium BCE. It presents a statistical analysis of the measurements of specimens contained inside a box found in Side Chamber 3 of TT 209. The aim is to quantify the variability of the dimensions of a closed set of pieces and to use these objective data to deduce the information they can provide about the manufacturing process of these figurines and the artisans involved. Morphometric measurements were taken at eleven parts of the pieces to observe variations and correlations between these measurements. The results of the study determine that there are three possible linear combinations of the morphometric variables studied that would have influenced the moulding of the ushabtis. These combinations of variables enable three groups of pieces to be statistically identified, and this could indicate that three people were involved in the manufacturing process.