Scarab from Ruiu's Burial
New Kingdom
The burial of Ruiu was found in the tomb of her father, Neferkhawet, which was excavated by the Museum’s Egyptian Expedition in 1935. Lying against the right side of the head end of Ruiu’s coffin was a small basket that contained a wooden box and a metal razor. Inside the box were four scarabs and a cowroid seal-amulet made of steatite, two ebony kohl sticks, and a small metal spoon.
This scarab originally had a bright blue glaze that has largely worn off. It was inscribed the name and title of the King’s Acquaintance Montuwoser, a name that was more common in the Middle Kingdom (Dynasties 11-13) than in early Dynasty 18 when Ruiu and her family lived.
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