THE OLDEST KNOWN MASK OF ANCIENT EGYPT The Mysterious Hierakonpolis Mask The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir preserves one of the rarest and oldest artifacts ever discovered in ancient Egypt: the Hierakonpolis Mask. This extraordinary mask was crafted from fired clay, with carefully shaped eyes and mouth designed to fit the human face. Two small perforations on the sides allowed a cord to pass behind the ears, securing the mask in place. Scholars believe it was used in funerary rituals—either worn by