The Tekenu is one of the funerary procession elements. It appeared since the OLD KINGDOM in tomb representations in many positions:
- A completely wrapped container so that any resemblance to a human figure is not apparent.
- A container with a human face just showing through a shroud and sitting upon a sledge.
- a human shape in a prone position on a sledge without shroud in a fetal position of a typical pre-dynastic burial.
- a human shape on a couch with only his head protrudes from a cocoon-like shroud
The Tekenu has not been completely explained but many conceptions discussed what the Tekenu is :
- An animal leathered container which contains the spare body parts that were left over during the mummification.
- A representation of the deceased as an embryo in a womb preparing to be reborn as a denotion for the resurrection.
- A shape for the deceased's ( KA ) and may be this role was played by the ( SEM ) priest so as to denote the resurrection when the priest enters the tomb and rise up from his crouching posture.
- A symbolic representaion of human sacrifice but this conception proved to be wrong as there's no trace for human sacrifice in the Ancient Egyptian civilization.
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