<P> Although no writing survives from Predynastic Egypt, scholars believe the importance of the physical body and its preservation originated there . This would explain why people of that time did not follow the common practice of cremation, but rather buried the dead . Some also believe they may have feared the bodies would rise again if mistreated after death . </P> <P> Early bodies were buried in simple, shallow oval pits, with a few burial goods . Sometimes multiple people and animals were placed in the same grave . Over time, graves became more complex, with the body placed in a wicker basket, then later in wooden or terracotta coffins . The latest tombs Egyptians made were sarcophaguses . These graves contained burial goods like jewelry, food, games and sharpened splint . </P> <P> This demonstrates that this ancient period had a sense of the afterlife, though archaeological evidence may show the average person had little chance of getting into it . This may be because admission required that the deceased must be able to serve a purpose there . The pharaoh was allowed in because of his role in life, and others needed to have some role there . </P> <P> Human sacrifices found in early royal tombs reinforce this view . These people were probably meant to serve the pharaoh during his eternal life . Eventually, figurines and wall paintings begin to replace human victims . Some of these figurines may have been created to resemble certain people, so they could follow the pharaoh after their lives ended . </P>

On the naquada pots the nile is represented by