The Stela of Antef

Antef was a governor of Thebes and inspector of priests, a high enough position to rate an elaborate burial which included this stela. His status is evident in the number of servants on the stela who cater to his every need, cooling him with fans, offering him a beer, and slaughtering cattle for his benefit.

The double door near the bottom allows the deceased to emerge from the afterlife and acquire the necessary sustenance left by living relatives at his tomb site. If his relatives have been remiss about visiting his tomb and leaving actual food, drink, and clothing, Antef's spirit form can always sustain itself on the images of offerings, carved aplenty on the stela.

Notice that along with the servants and material items that Antef believes he needs in the afterlife, he has also chosen to have a pet accompany him. Under his chair sits a dog, marred a bit by the crack that runs across the surface.

A close look at the animal reveals its breed. The long legs, erect ears, thin build and tightly curled tail all indicate that a basenji sits underneath Antef's chair, obviously one that Antef enjoyed well enough to want to "take with him" to the afterlife.