Shabtis

Second Intermediate Period

During the Second Intermediate Period (c. 1750–1550 BC), a time of internal instability in Egypt, the practice of having shabtis in tombs more or less ceased for few examples are known. However, in certain places, particularly Thebes, very crude wooden figures resembling tent–pegs or sticks have been found. These were called shawabtis, probably after the word for Persea wood (shawab) from which many were perhaps made (1), although few wooden shawabtis have actually undergone analysis regarding the type of wood used. A number are inscribed with the Htp-di-nsw.t offering formula.