Britannica Sources used in this answer

How were mastabas built and used in ancient Egypt?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ancient Egyptian illustration from the Book of the Dead showing Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe Ani, with gods seated above and hieroglyphic text throughout. — Egyptian art and architecture Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe Ani, from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, c. 1275 bce.

A mastaba was the standard type of tomb used in the earliest dynasties of ancient Egypt, serving primarily as a superstructure for nonroyal burials during the Old Kingdom.12

Construction

Mastabas were rectangular, flat-roofed structures with sloping walls. Initially constructed from mud brick, they were later built using stone. The design consisted of two primary components:12
* Subterranean Burial Chamber: A deep shaft descended from the superstructure to a rectangular chamber below ground where the deceased was laid to rest.12
* Superstructure: The above-ground portion contained storage chambers stocked with food and equipment for the afterlife.12

Usage and Evolution

The mastaba functioned as a site for the funerary cult. Over time, the internal space became increasingly complex to accommodate the needs of the deceased:
* Chapels: Early simple niches evolved into dedicated tomb-chapels. These rooms housed a formal stela or a false door, which served as a symbolic threshold for the spirit of the deceased to enter and leave the burial chamber.13
* Decoration: Walls were often adorned with scenes depicting the deceased’s expected daily activities and offerings.13
* Expansion: By the later Old Kingdom, some mastabas grew to include numerous rooms for the owner and their family members.23