ABSTRACT
The design of the false door underwent certain changes. During the Old Kingdom, the panel of the door was recessed in rectangular flat surrounds with plain lintels and jambs which were sometimes inscribed. A cylindrical roll underneath the lintel was placed on top of the innermost panel (it has been interpreted as the rolled up mat which could be let down to be used as a sunscreen in real doors). From the Middle Kingdom on, the false doors have a torus frame and are surmounted by a cornice. Some false doors are in fact connected with small chambers (see SERDAB) which contain a statue of the deceased person. In other cases the image of the dead owner of the tomb is standing or sitting in front of the false door.
