Faiyum_mummy_portraits Faiyum

portrait of man, c. 125–150 ad. encaustic on wood; 37 cm × 20 cm (15 in × 8 in)

faiyum source of famous death masks or mummy portraits painted during roman occupation of area. egyptians continued practice of burying dead, despite roman preference cremation. while under control of roman empire, egyptian death masks painted on wood in pigmented wax technique called encaustic—the faiyum mummy portraits represent technique.

modern studies conclude faiyum portraits represent greek settlers in egypt. victor j. katz notes research in papyri dating centuries of common era demonstrates significant amount of intermarriage took place between greek , egyptian communities .