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How To Make An Egyptian Sarcophagus For A Sixth Grade Social Studies Project
By Frederick Corrigan
It's mid December, the telephone rings and it's our granddaughter Kate. Grampa she says, would you help me make an Egyptain Sarcophagus for my Social Studies project? Now I ask you----Who in their right mind is going to refuse a request to do a project with their granddaughter?? In today's world, most young people are tied to their hand-held electronics, so this is a very welcomed opportunity to engage in a hands-on project with our granddaughter. First, I had to go to Google, search "Egyptian Sarcophagus" and do a little reading so that I could get some ideas to help with the project. After all, it's been 64 years since I was in the sixth grade! Beginning in the 11th Dynasty, boxlike Sarcophagi of wood or limestone were in use in Egypt and on the Lebanese Coast. In the 17th Dynasty coffins shaped to resemble the human form with a carved portrait head of pasted papyrus sheets and later wood, pottery, or stone were used. After considerable research, we decided to construct the model Egyptian Sarcophagus using Foamboard. This economical, light weight 3/16" thick foamboard is made of resilient extruded polystryrene foam core, laminated on both sides with a white coated paper stock. It cuts easily with a mat cutter or a utility knife, and can be scored and folded. We already had a "Skeleton" from our Halloween decorations and it was the right size for the "Mummy". Working with the dimensions from the skeleton, Kate and I made a scale drawing using 1/4 inch graph paper. I already possess a Mat Cutter that I use for framing drawings and prints. With a little instruction and practice, Kate was able to help cut the foamboard to the dimensions that were needed for the project. We decided to double the thickness of the base and the cover to make them more stable. We then cut four pieces of foamboard 12 inches wide by 32 inches long. From these pieces, we cut the angles on the base and cover to achieve the finished shape. The next step was to cut 4 inch wide by 32 inch long pieces of foamboard for the sides of the base and the cover. Elmer's all purpose white glue was used to adhere the double thickness of the base and the cover. We then attached the 4 inch side panels to the base unit using 2 inch masking tape. We repeated the process for the cover. The cutting and the assembly is shown in photos 1-6.
We purchased a roll of contact shelf covering that had the appearance of granite. Photo # 7 shows the base unit covered with the contact shelf covering. To make certain that the cover stayed in alignment with the base, we cut some 4 inch pieces of foamboard and glued them to the inside of the cover. We also made these legs doubly thick, so that they would support the cover while Kate was adding the contact covering and the painted symbols. Photos #8 thru #11 will show the glue process, clamping and the alignment of the legs. Photo #12 reveals that our "Skeleton" will fit inside the base of the Egyptian Sarcophagus. Once the legs were secure, Kate cut more pieces of the contact covering to be applied to the sarcophagus cover. Photo #13 shows the cutting guide lines on the back of the covering, for ease of fitting. Kate's next part of the project was to wrap colored electrical tape around the base and the cover. She then would paint black lines on both sides of the colored tape to make them more distinct. We had purchased Elmer's Painters, which are opaque paint markers that are permanent and streak-free. They are also non-toxic and acid free. Photos #14 and #15 show this part of the project. Next, Kate painted symbols on the cover for added decoration. Photos #16, 17, and 18 will show the symbols. The next step in the project was to form the skeleton into a mummy. First, Kate and I used "Buffalo Snow" to wrap the legs, arms, body, and head of the skeleton. We held the "Buffalo Snow" in place with black electrical tape. We then placed the "Buffalo Snow" covered skeleton into the Sarcophagus base to make certain that it would fit. Photos #19, 20 and 21 show this process. Kate now had the job of cutting the "muslin" (which we had purchased as a two yard piece) into 6 inch wide strips, which would be used to wrap the mummy. Photo #22 shows Kate hard at work with gramma watching. The mummy was then wrapped and once again placed into the Sarcophagus base to check on the fit. Shown in photo #23. Kate touched up some of the details on the symbols and signed her original work of art. Photos #24 and 25 show the finished 32 inch long Egyptian Sarcophagus and Mummy. Kate did a lot of research, using her computer, and decided on the symbols for her model Egyptian Sarcophagus.
The symbols, reading from top to bottom, "Basket" = K, "Vulture" = A, "Loaf" = T, "Lower arm" = E. The "Eye of Horus" on the lower section is an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection, royal power and good health. This project was a wonderful learning experience for both Kate and Grampa. The added benefit was the A+ that Kate received for her grade on the Social Studies project at the Whitman Middle School.
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Contributor's Note
Hand held electronics will NEVER replace the joys of quality family time!!
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Kate cutting foamboard with mat cutter
Foamboard being assembled and Kate cutting more pieces
using masking tape to attach sides to double bottom to form the sarcophagus base
Completed construction of the cover and base units of the foamboard sarcophagus
Base and cover units standing together
Cover placed on top of base to show side view
Covering the base unit with contact shelf paper to resemble a granite stone effect
Glue double thick legs onto cover. Interior of base unit covered with contact paper is in the background
Another view of the 5 legs that will keep the cover aligned with the base
Sideview of legs
Cover placed with legs set inside of the base to show proper alignment in upright position
Skeleton positioned inside the sarcophagus to check for proper fit
Kate cutting contact paper to be applied to sarcophagus cover
Kate wraps colored ( yellow- blue- red-green ) electric tape around sarcophagus cover
Kate paints black lines on both sides of colored tape
Kate drawing "Eye of Horus" symbol on base of cover
Kate drawing "Basket" symbol on cover
All five symbols on cover. Skeleton laying in wait
Applying "Buffalo Snow", held in place with electric tape , to pad skeleton
Kate taping "Buffalo Snow" to skeleton body
Kate places "Buffalo Snow" covered skeleton into sarcophagus, to make certain he still fits
Kate cutting muslin fabric into strips as Granma keeps a watchful eye
Mummy wrapped in 6" wide strips of muslin
Kate adding more details to cover
The completed project!!!
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 |  | nick loved this intel. Feb 3, 2012 |  | | Brian Reynolds applauded this intel. Feb 3, 2012 |  | | Barry Gardner liked this intel. Feb 3, 2012 | | | TDP liked this intel. Feb 3, 2012 | | | AmberLee liked this intel. Feb 3, 2012 |  | | alexander respected this intel. Feb 4, 2012 |  | | noline loved this intel. Feb 4, 2012 |  | | odls applauded this intel. Feb 4, 2012 |  | | Charles Chua C K liked this intel. Feb 4, 2012 |  | | setterman29 applauded this intel. Feb 4, 2012 |  | | R Foreman liked this intel. Feb 6, 2012 |  | | SadieJane liked this intel. Feb 7, 2012 |  | | LadyD loved this intel. Mar 15, 2012 |
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Congratulations to Kate on the A+.
It is such a joy to help children with projects like these, but sometimes it is easy to take over. It is great to see that you helped her, but let her do most of the work.
I hope you have many more opportunities like these to assist the grandkids with school projects.
 | | noline Feb 4, 2012 02:57 |  appreciated |
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks for your support and it is a test of to let the young people struggle with the details. We had a great time and look forward to doing other projects.
Best to you.
Frederick
Nice Intel, Frederick. After all that hard work it's good that Kate received an A+. A+ to you too for your efforts in helping your granddaughter out, these are the type of things that help keep families close.
 | | odls Feb 4, 2012 03:26 | appreciated |
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
We put in many hours to make this a successful project, we had fun and trully enjoyed the experience. Thanks for your comments, Geoff.
Best wishes,
Frederick
Great job! You have been missed around here. So is this project going to end up as part of the Halloween decor this year?
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks for your comments, Franklyn. Theres a good chance that this signed original art will be a Halloween decoration for many years to come.
Best to you,
Frederick
Yes, Franklyn valiantly kept this site going in your absence. I have to say it's good to hear you're doing well and as active, energetic, and creative as ever. That's a mighty fine job, and you should be proud to have such a talented and hard-working granddaughter. Hmm, I wonder where she got that from. 
 | | nick Feb 5, 2012 20:47 | appreciated |
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
You were one of my first friends and supporters, Nick. I thank you for your many good words.
Best wishes.
Frederick
Just visiting and thought I'd drop by to see what you're doing. This is a mighty fine intel, my friend. I'm writing a bit elsewhere but not as much as I'd like to. For now, it will have to do. Ta for now. I will return soon.
Oh my goodness! What a wonderful tutorial on how to make it, along with the fabulous photos. You and your lovely granddaughter make a marvelous team to accomplish this amazing A+ project. Not to mention, seeing a loving relationship between you both. So nice to hear from you!
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