Ancient Egyptian pot burials were not just for the poor

Interment in ceramic vessels may have symbolized a rebirth to afterlife

Egyptian pot burial

GRAVE CHOICE Ancient Egyptians buried children, shown here, and adults in pots. The hollow vessels mirror the womb and may have symbolized a rebirth into the afterlife, scientists report.

Béatrix Midant-Reynes/Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale

New research is stirring the pot about an ancient Egyptian burial practice.