---
title: "Nested Coffins — AP Art History Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Nested coffins are coffins placed inside one another to protect and honor the dead, central to Tutankhamun's innermost coffin and Egyptian funerary art in Unit 2."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-art-history/key-terms/nested-coffins"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Art History"
---

# Nested Coffins — AP Art History Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Nested coffins are multiple coffins placed inside one another during burial ceremonies. This practice was common in ancient civilizations and served as protection for the deceased and as a way to demonstrate wealth or social status.

## Related Study Guides

- [2.3 Purpose and Audience in Ancient Mediterranean Art](/ap-art-history/unit-2/purpose-audience-ancient-mediterranean-art/study-guide/ZSYoQtYenMTgskR77h43)

## Review

### Related Terms

- Sarcophagus: A sarcophagus is a stone coffin typically adorned with intricate carvings or decorations. Unlike nested coffins, sarcophagi are usually singular and not stacked within each other.
- Burial Chamber: A burial chamber refers to an enclosed space where multiple burials or coffins are placed. It can be a separate room or an area within a larger tomb.
- Mummy: A mummy is a preserved body, often achieved through intentional preservation techniques such as embalming. Nested coffins were commonly used to house mummies in ancient civilizations.