Ancient Egyptians believed everyone needed protection in afterlife

CAIRO – 23 October 2022: Ancient Egyptians believed that everyone regardless of their social status needed protection in the afterlife, even a king.

Tutankhamun's Guardian Statue - photo via Min. of Tourism & Antiquities  

This is one of two life-size guardian statues placed at the entrance of Tutankhamun’s Burial Chamber. The statue depicts Tutankhamun striding, holding a scepter in his right hand and a stick of papyrus in his left hand. 

Although the statue is made of wood, the skin was painted black indicating the color of the Egyptian soil soaked by the Nile floodwaters, symbolizing fertility, with spectacular details in gold.