Ancient Egyptian bone doll dated 30 BC – AD 395

Carved bone figure. Roughly rectangular, but cut in at the neck and below the arms. Hairline, nose, eyes and mouth are formed using incised cuts and there is a straight top to the head. What survives of the two arms suggest that they were fairly in relationship to the body, terminating at the waist. Two parallel lines are incised across the chest, and a V shape defines the waist or crotch. Legs missing below the knee or are deliberately short, damage makes it hard to tell in this area. Legs are separated by an inverted V shaped cut. Figure probably female. Smooth concave back to the head, and a roughly flat back to the body where the structure of the bone is very clear. Traces of white on surface.

Ancient Egyptian bone doll dated 30 BC – AD 395

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1966.73.A
  • Material: bone
  • Period: Roman Period
  • Dated: 30 BC - AD 395
  • Object name: bone doll
  • Dimensions: Length: 63mm , Width: 25mm , Depth: 8mm
  • Published references: Petrie W M F Objects of Daily Use 1927 pl.LV 593 - 599