Egyptian funerary boat model in the Australian Museum: dating and analysis

The unprovenanced and stylistically unusual wooden boat model (AM E60381) from the Australian Museum collection is examined to assess its identity age. analyses of construction method, wood, pigments, gesso demonstrate boat’s compatibility with ancient Egyptian craftwork. Three species wood are identified: cedar Lebanon (Cedrus libani), sycomore fig (Ficus sycomorus), sidr (Ziziphus spina-christi). Funerary models distinctly associated 11th 12th dynasties (mid-20th 19th century BC). Yet eight radiocarbon dates obtained six separate pieces between 24th 16th BC; cluster at late 3rd millennium BC. Conspicuous disparity these expected chronological context discussed. Stylistically, resembling a divine (sun) barque, has no parallels among comparable representations. With combination iconographic motifs, methods dates, attributed period spanning Old Kingdom early Middle Kingdom.