What type of goods was typically offered to the deceased in ancient Egyptian practices?

In ancient Egyptian practices, the inclusion of food and prayers as offerings to the deceased was a critical aspect of their funerary customs. The ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife, and they felt that providing sustenance and spiritual support would ensure the deceased could enjoy a comfortable existence in the realm beyond death.

Food items were often placed in tombs, intended to nourish the deceased on their journey in the afterlife. Offerings would sometimes include bread, beer, and meat, which were staples of their diet. Additionally, prayers and inscriptions were engraved on tomb walls and monuments to invoke protection and blessings from deities and to guide the deceased safely through the afterlife. This dual provision of physical sustenance and spiritual acknowledgment reflects the culture's deep reverence for the deceased and their beliefs regarding immortality.

The significance of food and prayers underscores the ancient Egyptians' holistic approach to death and the afterlife, distinguishing it as a primary practice over other offerings such as luxury items, jewelry, or artwork, which, while valuable, did not necessarily play as central a role in directly supporting the deceased's needs in the afterlife.