TheNeshmet bark was a vessel belonging to the godNun.[1] The ancient Egyptian deityOsiris was transported in it on the riverNile during the Osiris festival atAbydos. The god's departure from his temple, journey to his tomb, and triumphant return were enacted and drew many spectators who participated in the public parts of the mysteries.
The myth of the death and resurrection of Osiris kindled hope for eternal life in the hearts of the believers, and since the6th dynasty they often preferred to be buried near their god at Abydos. Their mummies were taken to the city in decorated funerary boats reminiscent of Osiris' Neshmet bark.[2] Involvement in building a Neshmet bark was an event of some importance and duly recorded among the good deeds in a person's 'autobiographical' mortuary inscriptions.[3][4] Tomb depictions show the deceased in Neshmet barks, thusRekhmire's statue is shown in a shrine on the bark with a priest making libations.[5]
There were other divine barks such as theHennu bark ofSeker, as well as the sun barks ofRa, which included the morning bark,mandjet, and the evening bark,mesktet.[6]
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