Mastabas

Mastabas are ancient Egyptian burial structures that predate the more famous pyramids. They have a rectangular shape with sloping sides, built from mudbrick or stone. Inside, they contain a burial chamber for the deceased and are often adorned with inscriptions and paintings reflecting the person's life and beliefs. Mastabas served as tombs for the elite, providing a safe resting place and a means for the deceased to receive offerings in the afterlife. They represent an important stage in the development of Egyptian funerary architecture leading to the construction of pyramids.