any of the small statuettes made of wood, stone, or faience that are often found in large numbers in ancient Egyptian tombs. The figures range in height from approximately 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm) and often hold hoes in their arms. Their purpose was to act as a magical substitute for the deceased owner when the gods requested him to undertake menial tasks in the afterlife; the word ushabti is usually translated as “answerer.” During the New Kingdom (1539–1075 BCE) the figures were made to resemble the tomb owner by being fashioned in the form of a mummy bearing the owner's name.