Headrests in ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptian headrest was known as Urs, and it is the one that occupies the space between the head and shoulder of the sleeper who lies on his sides.
There are indications that it was used since the Third Dynasty, and it remained in use until the Late Period.
The traditional shape of the ancient Egyptian headrest has not changed over the ages. It consists of a flat, rectangular base that aims to achieve stability for the headrest, and above the base is a vertical column that connects between the base and the headrest. Double and since the backing was made of solid material, in some cases, it was covered with a dense layer of fabric that served as a pillow.
Chapter 166 of the Book of the Dead explains the magical function of the headrest. It is primarily responsible for magically raising the deceased’s head during the resurrection, just as the sun god rises from the eastern horizon every morning. The headrest also prevents the head from being cut off and losing it, which is one of those unfortunate fates that may befall the deceased and impede the resurrection.
The importance of head restraints
What stresses the importance of the head restraints is that even in the poorest graves in the Giza area, under the head of the deceased, there were supports made of bricks or unpolished stone.
It was believed that amulets in the shape of a headrest could replace the headrest itself. The oldest of these amulets were found on the mummy of King Tutankhamun. These amulets became popular from the Sawi period onwards and were found mainly in private tombs. They were usually made of hematite and placed at the neck area.
Types of head restraints
The first type
It is a single wooden block that has been known throughout the Pharaonic ages.
The second type
Of stone or wood, and consists of two columns and was used until recent times.
The third type
The headrest was made of limestone, wood, or pasteurized. It had a small base on top of the column, and the backrest itself was based on it. This base is considered the head support.
The use of a headrest as an amulet in the Old Kingdom
Also, the Musnad was used as a small amulet since ancient times, and it was made of porcelain, diorite, or wood
The amulet was placed inside the coffin near the chest, abdomen, or breasts and not near the head.