Museum Finds 4,000-year-old Handprint on Egypt Tomb

British researchers have discovered a rare handprint on a 4,000-year-old Egyptian artifact, a Cambridge museum said recently.

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The ancient handprint was found by museum conservators on the base of an Egyptian soul house — a clay offering tray in the shape of a building which may have been used in tombs for laying out food offerings or as a dwelling for souls.

The unique discovery was made after the piece, crafted between 2055-1650 BC, was examined by conservation staff in preparation for a new exhibition.

"I have never seen such a complete handprint on an Egyptian object before," said Helen Strudwick, senior curator and egyptologist at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

The handprint was left by the maker of the soul house, when they picked it up before drying and firing the clay.