RIFEH.

POTTERY

SOUL HOUSE.

TYPE L

IX-XII

DYNASTY.

BRITISH SCHOOL OF ARCHAEOLOGY IN EGYPT AND EGYPTIAN RESEARCH ACCOUNT THIRTEENTH YEAR, 1907

GIZEH A N D RIFEHBY

W. M. FLINDERS PETRIEHON. D . C . L . , L L . D . , LITT.D., F . R . S . , F . B . A . , HON. F . S . A . MEMBER OF THE ROYAL IRISH MEMBER OF THE IMPERIAL GERMAN PH.D. (SCOT.) ACADEMY INSTITUTE ARCHAEOLOGICAL CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTHROPOLOGY, BERLIN MEMBER OF THE ROMAN SOCIETY OF ANTHROPOLOGY MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ANTIQUARIES MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY EDWARDS PROFESSOR OF EGYPTOLOGY, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON

WITH CHAPTERS BY SIR HERBERT THOMPSON, BART., AND W . E. CRUM

DO UBLE

VOL ME

LONDON S C H O O L O F A R C H A E O L O G Y COLLEGE, GOWER IN E G Y P T W.C.

UNIVERSITY

STREET,

AND BERNARD 11, GRAFTON STREET, QUARITCH N E W 1907 BOND STREET, W.

PRINTED BY HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, L D . , LONDON A N D AYLESBURY.

BRITISH SCHOOL OF ARCHAEOLOGY IN EGYPT, AND EGYPTIAN RESEARCH ACCOUNTIPatron : THE EARL OF CROMER, Q.C.B., G.C.M.G., K.C.S.I., Etc., Etc.

GENERALLORD AVEBURY WALTER HENRY BAILY BALFOUR

COMMITTEE

(*Executive

Members)Sir C. SCOTT MONCRIEFF MOND ROBERT

*Prof. E R N E S T G A R D N E R Prof. PERCY G A R D N E RRt. Hon. Sir G. T. GOLDIE

Prof.

MONTAGUE MORRISON NEWBERRY MAY

F R E I H E R R VON BISSING Dr. Rt. T. G. BONNEY JAMES BRYCE BURY

Prof.Mrs. Dr. A.

GOWLAND J. R. C. GREEN HADDON

WALTER

Prof. P. E.Dr. F. Dr. PAGE W.

Hon.

Prof. J. B.

JESSE H A W O R T H Dr. A. C. HEADLAM HKNSLKY

PERCIVAL

*SOMERS CLARKE E D W A R D CLODD W. E. CRUM

PINCHES G. G. W. W. PROTHERO

*Sir ROBERTD. Sir G. H. H.

(Chairman)

Dr. Dr. Sir

HOGARTH HOWORTH

REISNER RICHMOND RIDGEWAY

Prof. BOYD D A W K I N S Prof. S. D I L L *Miss ECKENSTEINDr. Dr. GREGORY FOSTER J. G. FRAZER

Baron A. VON H U G E L Prof. MACALISTERDr. R. W. MACAN

Prof. F. W.Mrs. Mrs. E. TIRARD

STRONG

Prof.*J. G.

MAHAFFY MILNE

TOWRY WHYTE

ALAN GARDINER

Treasurer*F.

G.

HILTON

PRICE

Honorary DirectorProf. Honorary SecretariesMrs.

FLINDERS PETRIE

H I L D A PETRIE

and *Dr. J. H.

WALKER.

T h e need of providing for the training of students is even greater in Egypt than it is in Greece and Italy; and the relation of England to Egypt at present makes it the more suitable that support should be given to a British School in that land. This body is the only such agency, and is also the basis of the excavations of Prof. Flinders Petrie, who has had many students associated with his work in past years. T h e great enterprise of the excavation of the temples and city of Memphis, which has now been undertaken, promises the most valuable results. But it will necessarily be far more costly than any other work in Egypt, and it cannot be suitably carried out without doubling the present income of the School. Active support is required to ensure the continuance of such work, which depends entirely on personal contributions, and each subscriber receives the annual volume. The antiquities not retained by the Egyptian Government are presented to Public Museums, after the Annual Exhibition, during July, at University College. T h e accounts are audited by a Chartered Accountant, and published in the Annual Report. Treasurer : F . G. HILTON PRICE, Child's Bank, i, Fleet Street, E.C.ADDRESS THE HON. SECRETARY,

B R I T I S H S C H O O L I N E G Y P T , U N I V E R S I T Y COLLEGE, GOWER STREET, L O N D O N , W.C.

C O N T E N T SINTRODUCTIONSECT. PAGE

CHAPTER i i 2THE SECT. IXTHXIITH

VRIFEH. PAGE

1. W o r k a t Gizeh 2. W o r k a t Rifeh 3. Coptic sites CHAPTERTHE 1ST D Y N A S T Y .

DYNASTIES.

IGIZEH.

24. 25. 26. 27.

Age The The The

of the c e m e t e r y rock-tombs t o m b of N e k h t - a n k h . t o m b of K h n u m u - h o t e p .

. . .

. . ,.

11 11 . 1 2 . 1 2 . 1 3 . 1 3 13 13 14 14

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

The The The The The The The The The The

discovery of t h e t o m b . . structure of t h e t o m b . . m a s t a b a a n d graves a r o u n d . stuccoed t o m b plans of t h e burials . . stone vases . . . . palettes, tools, a n d flints . toilet objects and ivories . bracelet of h a w k s . . . measurements CHAPTER II

. . . . . . .

. . . . . .

2 2 3 3 4 . 5 5 6 6 6

28. T h e shoal graves 29. T h e statuettes a n d carvings . 30. T h e alabaster vases 31. T h e beads 32. T h e weapons 33. T h e p o t t e r y

CHAPTERTHE SOUL-HOUSES.

VIRIFEH.

34. Position of models 35. Origin of models 36. I m i t a t i o n s of houses 37. D a t e of models 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. The types T h e t r a y s of offerings A. Shelter without satah B. Shelter with satah C. D. E. F. G. H. H u t chamber C h a m b e r with portico Satah between mulqafs Several chambers Satah across mulqafs Satah divided in t h r e e

14 15 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 . 1 7 . 1 7 17 . 1 7 . 1 7 .17 18 . 1 8 18 18 18 19

THE

IIND

AND

IIIRD

DYNASTIES.

GIZEH.

14. T h e re-used t o m b 15. 16. 17. 18. T h e stone vases T h e hill m a s t a b a . . Flint, marbles, a n d copper The measurements . CHAPTERTHE IVTHVITH

7 . . . IIIGIZEH.

. . . .

. . .

7 7 7 . 8

.

.

.

.

. . . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . . .

DYNASTIES.

19. T h e system of t o m b s 20. T h e inscriptions

.

.

.

.

. 8 9

CHAPTERTHE VITH DYNASTY.

IVAND ZOWYEH.

ZARABY

21. T h e system of graves 22. T h e stone vases a n d p o t t e r y . 23. T h e other objects . . . . . . . .

10 . 1 0 10

J. T w o mulqafs a n d satahs K . Closed door L. N o mulqafs. Furniture M. Closed court N . Stripes o n wall Walls a n d roofs Stairways

viSECT.

CONTENTSPAGE

CHAPTER X . SAITE AND LATER PERIODS. '9. Tomb of Thary >o. Burials at Gizeh >i. Demotic inscriptions, Gizeh . . . >2. Greek papyri, Rifeh 53. Coptic excavations C H A P T E R XIPAGE

55. 56. 57. 58. 59.

Windows and doorways Columns . . . The spout and offerings The bins and corn-grinder The furniture

. . .

. . .

.

.

. 19 . 1 9 9 . 1 9 20l

28 29 . 2 9 29 30

CHAPTER VIITHE XIIITHXVITH DYNASTIES. RIFEH.

THE DEMOTIC PAPYRI.B Y S I R H E R B E R T THOMPSON, Bart.

60. The graves . . 6 1 . The objects found 62. The pottery

.

.

.

.

.

20 20 . 2 1

34. Description of papyri 55. Papyri from case A56.

.

.

.

.

.

3738. CHAPTER VIIITHE XVIIITHXXTH DYNASTIES. RIFEH.

, D . E .

. . .

. .

. .

31 31 31 . 3 2 33

63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70.

The tombs The stone work The shabtis . . . . . Funeral furniture and canopies The alabaster vases . . The pottery and clay models The tomb with Ramessu I I I . The site of Khaemuas, Gizeh

. . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . .

21 22 22 2 2 23 2 3 2 3 2 4

39jo. 31. 32. 33. 94. 35.

F, G , H , Tabular statement Contract translated Embalming contract . . . Account of ibises, etc List of cleruchs Fragment of an historical romance C H A P T E R XIITHE COPTIC MANUSCRIPTS.B Y W . E . CRUM.

.

.

34 34 35 . 36 36 37 . 38

C H A P T E R IXTHE CLASSIFICATION OF THE POTTERY.

71. The IXthXth dynasties, Pl. X I I I A . 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. The XthXIth dynasties, Pl. X I I I B , C The X l t h X l l t h dynasties, Pl. X I I I D Division into classes, X V I I I t h dynasty. Objects found with pottery . . . Cubit decimally divided . . . Tomb of Nekht-ankh Hieratic Papyrus . . . . .

. . . . . .

24 25 25 25 2 6 2 6 26 27

96. 97. 98. 99. 100. 101. 102. 103. 104. 105. 106.

The monastery of S. Apollo . Biblical and Apocryphal M S S . . Liturgies and Homilies . . Acta History and aphorisms . . Geography . . . . . . Dates and officials . . . Taxation . . . . . . Marriage contract . . . Accounts T h e Dialect Present position of objects . . ADDENDUM on Libyan InscriptionsINDEX

. . . . . . . .

. .

- 3 9 - 3 9 . 4 0 40 - 4 1 41 . 41 42 . 42 . 4 2 42 . 43 . 4445

L I S TW I T H P A G E

O F

P L A T E ST O T HE D E S C R I P T I O N S

R E F E R E N C E S

{Plates with lettered numbers are only issued in the Double Volume) RIFEHPAGE PAGE

X.B X.C X.D X.E

P o t t e r y soul-house, t y p e L GIZEH II. III. III. A IV. V. V A V.B V.C V.D V E VI. VI. A VLB VI.C VI.D VI. E VII. VII. A VII.B VII.C VII.D M a s t a b a V, views V, objects . V and T, objects V and T, o b j e c t s . V, objects . V, alabaster vases v, . V, Stone bowls

18

B o d y coffins . Boats . . . Canopic b o x and jars Statuettes . .

Nekht-ankh

12 12 12 12

3 . 4-6 4, 5, 8 4-7 . 4-6 4, 5 4. 5 4, 5 4, S 4, 7 2, 3 4 27 27

X.F

Burials of X l l t h X V I I I t h dynasties

v, Stucco T o m b , Pottery, Sealings M a s t a b a V , plan V , plans of graves S t o n e vases, etc., N e t e r e n . A l a b a s t e r bowls, M a s t a b a T , stone vases ,>

7. 8, 27 7, 8, 27 7,8 8,9 8,9 . 8 27

plan. Inscribed lintels T o m b s , statuette, etc. Plan of southern c e m e t e r y Altars. Model tools . ZARABY

VILE VII. F

S t o n e vases, views P o t t e r y V t h V l t h dynasties RIFEH .

. .

IO IO

VIII. IX. X. X. A

M a p of district a n d plan . Coffin of K h e t i . I Xth dynasty . Granite figure of K h n u m u B o x coffins, N e k h t - a n k h

11, 20, 21 . 13 S 12 vul

12, 14, 20, 23 XI. Coffins from one t o m b . . . 1 2 X I . A S t o n e vases, etc., X l l t h d y n a s t y 13, 14 XII. Objects of V l t h X l l t h dynasties 13, 14 XIII. W e a p o n s of c o p p e r a n d wood . . 14 X I I I . A P o t t e r y I X t h X t h dyna sties . . 24 XIII. B Xth dynasty . 13, 24, 25 XIII. C X t h X l t h dynasties . 24, 25 XIII.D XlthXllth . 24, 25 X I I I . E Scarabs a n d T o m b plans . . 1 1 , 12, 21 X I I I . F Inscription of N e k h t - a n k h . 11, 12, 27 XIII. G Khnumu-nekht .11,12,27 XIII. H on canopic box, etc. 11, 12, 27 XIII.J M a r k s on p o t t e r y XIV. P o t t e r y trays of offerings . . 15, 16 XV. P o t t e r y soul-houses. A . B. . 16, 17 XVI. CD. . . 17 XVI. A D. E. . . 17 XVII. E. F. H. . . 17 XVII. A G. H . . . 17 XVIII. J. K . L . . 17,18 XVIII. A J. K. L. . 17, 18 XVIII. B L . M. N . . . 18 XIX. M. N . . . 18 XX. roofs, doors, etc. . 19 XXL columns a n d walls 19 XXII. bins a n d figures . 20 XXII. A S u m m a r y of soul-houses . . . 1 6 XXII. B Register AE . 17 XXII. C EL 17, 18 XXII. D LN . 18

viii

CONTENTSPAGE PAGE

XXII. E XXIII. XXIV. XXV. XXVI. XXVII. XXVII. A XXVII. B XXVII. c XXVII. D XXVII. E XXVII. F XXVII. G XXVII. H XXVII. J XXVII. K XXVII. L XXVII. M XXVII. N XXVII. o XXVIII. XXIX. XXX.

Plans and pottery . P a i n t e d wooden b o x Cemetery dynasties S, pottery,

. .

. . .

14, 15 . 2 3 . 2 0 21 . 21

XXXIII. XXXIV. XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVI. A XXXVI. B XXXVI. c XXXVI. D XXXVI. E XXXVI. F XXXVI. G XXXVII. XXXVII. A

T o m b chapel, E . c h a m b e r ,. ,, >,

. S. wall E. N.

28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 29

S c a r a b s a n d foreign p o t t e r y

XIII-XV.

hall, W . wall, etc. N . and E. chambers N . chamber, S. hall W. N. W

C e m e t e r y S, pottery, X I I I - X V . Figures and foreign . X V I I I t h dynasty .

pottery, 22, 23 23, 26 . . . 22 22, 26 . 2 5 25 25 . 25 26 22 26 22,25 22, 25

A l a b a s t e r vases, clay models Stools, canopies, H a t h o r , etc. Ushabtis . . . P o t t e r y t o T a h u t m e s I. .

j >

,j

,j S., E . mid hall, etc. plan

GIZEH. Demotic, Crypt, etc. COPTIC

of T a h u t m e s I I I . Pottery to Tahutmes IV. of

XXXVI1.B R E furniture, t o m b s t o n e s lH FXXXVIII. BALYZEH s t o n e a n d metal work XXXVIII. A XXXVIII. B XXXIX. XL.

.

30 30

. XVIIIth- XlXth . . . . . . .

dynasties . P o t t e r y , i n d e x of forms . Steles . . Canopic inscription a n d hieratic T o m b with R a m e s s u I I I .

views, H e b r e w s , needles 30,31 Needles, etc.; GIZEH in . . . 29, 31 . 43

scriptions

. 2 2 27 23 ",24 11, 23

BALYZEH Coptic inscriptions

GANADLEH Coptic inscriptions . 44 65 109

P h o t o g r a p h i c plates Lithographic

4 3

GIZEHXXXI. XXXI. A XXXI. B XXXII. Glazed p o t t e r y a n d coffins Canopies a n d coffins T o m b chapel of T h a r y 29 29 29 28

T o t a l in D o u b l e V o l u m e T h e plates of t o m b

inscriptions referred

t o as

PI. X I I I F on p. 11 a r e n o t y e t published. O n plate X X I t h e house below 130 h a s lost its n u m b e r , 30.

GIZEHINTRODUCTION

AND

RIFEH

I . THE work of the British School of Archaeology in E g y p t , d u r i n g the past winter, lay p a r t l y at Gizeh, a n d p a r t l y in the district between A s y u t and Sohag. T h e reason for this division was t h a t only a small p a r t of Gizeh was available, not enough for a season's work, the whole of t h e p y r a m i d region being already occupied b y A m e r i c a n a n d G e r m a n claims. A large a n d speculative district in U p p e r E g y p t was therefore also occupied b y the School, and the greater p a r t of t h e season's work was carried on there. T h e whole p a r t y began work at Gizeh on D e c e m b e r I . Mr. W a r d a n d myself e x p l o r e d the western desert, from A s y u t to S o h a g , D e c e m b e r 24 to 29. I r e t u r n e d to Gizeh, and then went back to Mr. W a r d to begin work a t Rifeh on J a n u a r y 10 ; Mr. R h o a d e s left Gizeh a n d b e g a n work at Deir Balyzeh J a n u a r y 18, and was joined there at the end of the m o n t h b y Mr. Mackay, who had finished p a c k i n g a t Gizeh. A t t h e end of F e b r u a r y Messrs. M a c k a y and G r e g g went to Deir el Ganadleh, and Mr. R h o a d e s joined us at Rifeh. B y M a r c h 11 the whole p a r t y was reunited a t R i f e h ; M a r c h 17 I left, a n d the rest of the p a r t y gradually diminished till Messrs. R h o a d e s a n d M a c k a y finally closed t h e packing on April 2. T h e importance of Gizeh in the I V t h d y n a s t y is k n o w n to every one b y t h e three p y r a m i d s of the k i n g s ; b u t discoveries of late years indicated t h a t there had been an earlier c e m e t e r y to the south of the p y r a m i d region. H a l f a mile south of the G r e a t P y r a m i d a ridge of rock rises from the plain, above t h e A r a b c e m e t e r y and a g r o u p of trees, which form a well-known l a n d m a r k in m a n y pictures. This ridge r u n s south for half a mile, a n d is riddled with tombs, especially a t its southern e n d : it was this cemetery which we e x a m i n e d d u r i n g December. I n the plain beyond it lay two patches of p o t t e r y a n d stone-chips ; the nearer was a r o u n d a t o m b of the 1st d y n a s t y , which h a d been opened b y M. Daressy for the Cairo M u s e u m ; t h e further or southern p a t c h

was of the age of R a m e s s u I I , a n d h a d a p p a r e n t l y been a m o n u m e n t of his son K h a - e m - u a s . The division of t h e work was t h a t Mr. W a r d , Mr. M a c k a y , a n d Mr. R h o a d e s took charge of the workmen, a n d b e g a n to measure u p work a n d keep accounts, and M r . M a c k a y also took some p h o t o g r a p h s ; Mr. and M r s . F i r t h did m u c h of the d r a w i n g ; while I organized the work a n d also did drawing and p h o t o graphing. I have to t h a n k D r . Reisner for kindly allowing our cases to be deposited at his c a m p , between t h e close of the work a t Gizeh a n d t h e end of the season. 2. A t Deir Rifeh our work e x t e n d e d from the well-known Coptic village b y t h e ancient tombs, at a b o u t six miles south of A s y u t , for about three miles southward to b e y o n d Zowyeh. T h e finely sculptured rock-tombs, now in possession of the Copts, were not touched b y us, as Mr. Griffith h a d carefully copied t h e m twenty years ago (The Inscriptions of Siut and Der Rifeh) ; b u t I copied some r e m a i n i n g p a i n t i n g in two other of the great tombs. In front of these we searched the banks of chips, a n d found a few u n o p e n e d t o m b s of smaller size with fine burials ; and t h e whole of the small rock-tombs were cleaned out, but very little was found in them. O u r principal work lay in t h e cemeteries of graves d u g in t h e plain below the cliff (see PI. V I I I ) . H e r e we found burials from the V l l t h d y n a s t y down to mediaeval times, b u t mostly of t h e X l t h , X l l t h , a n d X V I I I t h dynasties. O u r huts were built b y the side of the modern cemetery just south of this g r o u n d ; a n d south of us lay another cemetery, of the H y k s o s age. G o i n g further to t h e south we pass a cemetery of t h e X V I I I t h d y n a s t y near Zowyeh, entirely plundered recently ; a n d t h e n e x t g r o u p is a small cluster of burials of t h e V l t h d y n a s t y at the m o u t h of a valley, and another group out in t h e plain a little further to the south. S o m e eight miles south of our c a m p is another small c e m e t e r y of the V l t h d y n a s t y at Zaraby. T h e work at Rifeh was mainly superintended b y Mr. W a r d , while I was e n g a g e d in d r a w i n g a n d p h o t o g r a p h i n g .

2

INTRODUCTION

Mr. R h o a d e s afterwards joined us, while Mr. W a r d did p a r t of t h e packing. Mr. M a c k a y worked t h e cemetery at Z a r a b y , a n d afterwards finished t h e packing a t Rifeh. 3. All along t h e western desert are i n n u m e r a b l e Coptic settlements on the cliffs. T h e s e are all of one t y p e ; in each case a quarry-cave of R o m a n age h a s served for a refuge for t h e E g y p t i a n s at t h e A r a b invasion ; walls were built in the great rock caverns t o divide t h e m into h o u s e s ; as peace became estab lished t h e buildings e x t e n d e d out over t h e foot-hill in front of t h e q u a r r y - c a v e ; lastly, a t a n y time d u r i n g t h e p a s t eight centuries, one or another of t h e old strongholds has been a b a n d o n e d , and t h e Copts have settled in villages on t h e e d g e of t h e cultivation, leav ing their old refuges with little or no regard. These settlements are usually k n o w n as Deirs, called after t h e nearest village. I n our district there were t h e following: (1) a t 4 miles s o u t h of A s y u t , Deir D r o n k e h , now recently deserted and a new village built on t h e slope below i t ; (2) at 6 miles, D e i r Rifeh, still fully occupied, b u t with m a n y new houses below it on t h e s l o p e ; (3) at 8 miles, D e i r Z o w y e h ; a little early settlement on t h e cliff at t h e m o u t h of a valley, a p p e a r s t o have been attached to a large square fort-like Deir on the e d g e of t h e cultivation, now fully occupied ; this g r e a t D e i r or Coptic village m u s t be early, as it is surrounded b y a wide stretch of rubbish m o u n d s which go back to R o m a n t i m e s ; (4) a t 11 miles, Deir Balyzeh, a large s e t t l e m e n t high u p on t h e foot-hills with quarry-caves, d a t i n g from a b o u t t h e V l l t h to X t h century A.D., now entirely d e s e r t e d ; this was largely e x c a v a t e d b y Mr. R h o a d e s first, a n d then b y Messrs. M a c k a y and G r e g g ; (5) at 19 miles, Deir el Ganadleh, a large quarry-cave full of walls, paintings and inscriptions, a n d considerable buildings outside of it. Half a mile south of it is a later Deir, in which a modern screen has been added to t h e sanctuary, and service is occasionally held ; t h e doors stand open, and there is an i m m e n s e circular well in front of it, about 20 feet across a n d 160 feet d e e p . T h i r t y miles south of this we reach t h e well-known R e d a n d W h i t e monasteries, Deir A b u Bishai and Deir A m b a Shenudi, which are original R o m a n buildings before t h e A r a b conquest. W e have to t h a n k Dr. A l e x a n d e r , and t h e staff of t h e A m e r i c a n College at A s y u t , for h e l p to our w o r k m e n , and facilities in other ways. T h e y relieved us of t h e need of t r a n s p o r t i n g duplicate p o t t e r y a n d t h e skulls found a t Rifeh, b y accepting t h e m for t h e collection which is being formed a t t h e College.

CHAPTERTHE 1ST DYNASTY,

IGIZEH.

4. IN 1904 M. Barsanti found, and M. D a r e s s y excavated, for t h e Cairo Museum, a t o m b of t h e 1st d y n a s t y , in t h e plain a b o u t a mile and a half S S E . of t h e Great P y r a m i d . T h e account of the work is published in t h e Annales du Service vi. 99. T h e brief description t h e r e given need not be repeated, as a much m o r e detailed account follows here. B u t some s t a t e m e n t of t h e objects discovered is valuable. Pieces of charcoal of t h e roofing remained in t h e ruins. T h e s o u t h e r n c h a m b e r contained fourteen flint knives, some of t h e t y p e of the first on pi. I V , beside broken fragments, and some scrapers. The n e x t shallow c h a m b e r contained long jars of the t y p e shown in Abydos i, vi, 13. T h e d e e p burial c h a m b e r contained m o r e pieces of jars and eight large conical seals, a p p a r e n t l y of t h e t y p e 126 {Royal Tombs ii, xvii) from a piece which I found : also pieces of alabaster a n d h a r d stone vases, including about s i x t y cylinder j a r s ; small sketches of nine t y p e s are given. A few pieces of ivory also appeared. In t h e two northern chambers were p o t t e r y jars, of t h e t y p e s in Royal Tombs i, xlii, 35, 55 a n d 78. A s t h e objects remain in M. Daressy's room at t h e Museum, a n d h e was a w a y when, I passed t h r o u g h Cairo, I could not draw t h e m for complete publication as I had wished. 5. T h e structure of this earliest t o m b of the M e m p h i t e region is important, as showing how far t h e A b y d o s t y p e was followed in t h e new centre. T h e form of t h e t o m b m a y be seen in PI. V I . T h e m i d d l e c h a m b e r surrounded with piers is the d e e p e s t ; t h e two c h a m b e r s a t each end of t h a t are about half t h e d e p t h ; a n d t h e whole of these subterranean chambers were covered over b y a brick m a s t a b a with panelled sides. T h e s e various parts we now describe in detail. T h e burial c h a m b e r is over 35 feet long (426 inches E., 422 W . ) and over 18 feet wide (221 N., 220 S.); it was over 7 feet deep originally, but is so much broken at t h e t o p edge t h a t it is h a r d to trace t h e roofing. T h e best indication of d e p t h is t h a t of the northern c h a m b e r where t h e roofing b e a m s were traced at 33 inches over t h e floor, which is 60 inches over t h a t of t h e burial chamber, or 93 inches altogether, and this agrees with t h e height of the t o p of t h e wall in t h e north-west corner where it is preserved. In t h e south-west corner t h e floor is rather lower, and the highest plastered face is 96 inches over it.

IST DYNASTY MASTABA AND GRAVES Within this c h a m b e r was a wooden lining, which rested on a footing b eam ; a n d the space between t h e lining and the wall was divided by t h e brick piers. Such is e x a c t l y t h e a r r a n g e m e n t of the t o m b of king Zet, c o n t e m p o r a r y with this at A b y d o s . T h e s e brick piersas a t A b y d o s w e r e built in after t h e wood lining was in place, as t h e ends a b u t t i n g on t h e wood are bare brick, while t h e sides are plastered, and t h e m u d m o r t a r has been squeezed out against a vertical face a t t h e end. T h e corner pier is shown on PI. I I , where the groove of t h e footing beam can be seen run n i n g into the pier, but met b y t h e b eam at right angles before entering t h e brickwork. A strange feature is t h a t t h e upper p a r t of t h e piers h a s a hollow shell of one brick thick, t h e wall was plastered behind this, a n d then t h e hollow was filled up with bricks, as seen in t h e photograph. T h e purpose of these piers was n o t merely t o sub divide t h e space, b u t also to e m b r a c e and steady t h e upright posts which carried t h e wooden lining. In each pier is a circular hollow, shown at g r o u n d level o n t h e plan. T h e s e hollows are '5 or 6 inches across, and slope forward as t h e y rise. T h e best preserved, at the north-west corner, are 5 to 10 inches from t h e lining face at 62 up, 8 to 13 inches at 42 u p ; t h e r e fore it would lean forward t o t o u c h t h e lining face a t 95 up, or e x a c t l y at t h e level of t h e roof. T h e s e posts doubtless carried a long b eam to which t h e wooden lining was attached. T h e wooden c h a m b e r inside was a b o u t 356 x 164 inches, according to t h e traces of the base beams a n d posts. T h e r e is n o trace of a wooden floor either in t h e burial c h a m b e r s or in t h e shallower c h a m b e r s a t t h e ends. I n t h e southern c h a m b e r a line of wood along t h e floor was part of a b o x about half an inch thick. T h e clearing out of t h e c h a m b e r b y t h e M u s e u m workmen m a y h a v e removed traces of t h e flooring a n d fittings, as t h e y h a d certainly t a k e n o u t large jars, which were s t a n d i n g in place. T h o u g h t h e c h a m b e r s were p a r t l y burnt, t h e floor b e a m s h a d survived till m u c h later times. Across t h e burial c h a m b e r is a skew wall roughly built of bricks, some b u r n t red, others crude black, side b y side, showing t h a t it was built from t h e b u r n t ruins of t h e t o m b , perhaps in R o m a n times. T h r o u g h this wall t h e floor b e a m r a n intact, a n d h a s left a hole six inches high and five wide. In other p a r t s t h e places of t h e floor b e a m were five inches high and four wide. T h e e x t e n t of burning varied u p to partial vitrification ; p r o b a b l y m u c h of it was d u e t o t h e u n g u e n t s . T h e e n d chambers were evidently for offerings,

3

being only 33 h i g h ; traces of j a r s remain along t h e side of t h e southern chamber. T h e walls average 39 inches thick ( 3 8 - 4 1 ) ; and t h e chambers are a b o u t 220 from east to west, like t h e burial chamber, and 104 (101 to 107) from n o r t h to south. T h e sides h a v e been greatly cut a w a y recently, a p p a r e n t l y in clearing t h e t o m b , so t h a t it is difficult to trace their real place. 6. T h e existence of a m a s t a b a above t h e c h a m b e r s was not suspected until we cleared t h e ground. The best preserved part of it is shown b y t h e view in PI. I I ; t h e plan in PL V I . T h e panelled brickwork is of t h e same plan as t h a t of t h e t o m b of t h e queen of M e n a at N a q a d a , a n d t h e great m a s t a b a on t h e t o p of t h e hill at Gizeh shown in PL V I I . T h e faces of t h e brickwork were all coated with white plaster, and t h e floors of t h e b a y s likewise whited. In two places a pot was left in t h e bay, before being covered over b y t h e coating wall, 22 to 25 inches thick ; this wall is seen in t h e view, PL I I , on t h e right h a n d of t h e panelling. T h e e x t e n t of t h e m a s t a b a was proved b y a row of bays on t h e west, b y a fragment of a b a y on t h e south, a n o t h e r on t h e east, and b y t h e inner face of t h e wall on t h e n o r t h ; for t h e dimen sions see sect. 13. T h e general position of t h e missing b a y s is r o u g h l y indicated b y t h e r o u n d e d outline on t h e plan. O n each side of t h e mastaba, a t a short distance from it, was a line of graves, see PL V I ; on the west side t h e y were joined together, being formed b y two long parallel walls with cross-walls between, shown in PL I I ; on t h e other sides t h e pits were built separately. All of these graves were lined with brick work, mud-plastered, and roofed b y wooden poles a few inches apart, covered with brushwood. T h e only difference between these and t h e A b y d o s graves of t h e royal retainers a n d officials, is t h a t all t h e graves were there joined together as only t h e western row is here. T h e graves vary from 78 to 102 inches long ; b u t t w e n t y of t h e m are between 86 a n d 89 inches, seventeen are longer and nine are shorter. T h e b r e a d t h is a b o u t 52 inches. 7. A t t h e south-east of grave 12 t h e t o p of t h e lining-wall was at 45 inches over t h e floor of t h e g r a v e ; thence u p to 63 inches was a bed of marl thrown out in e x c a v a t i n g t h e graves. A t about 60 inches u p was brick rubbish from building t h e grave, and a t 63 in t h e loose sand which covered it were some broken pieces of coloured stucco. T h e original built paving over the grave was a t 69 ; a n d thence u p to 83 was blown sand a n d m u d rubbish

4

THE 1ST DYNASTY.

GIZEH

over it. T h e s e pieces of stucco were thus on t h e old surface a r o u n d t h e grave, b u t below a n d outside of t h e brick p a v i n g which covered the grave. T h e pieces (see PL V E ) h a d formed a stucco coat which h a d been p u t over a raised grave structure. T h i s building h a d been ribbed with blue stripes, sunk in a white g r o u n d ; a n d h a d a plain b a t t l e m e n t e d d a d o a r o u n d it, from which t h e r o u n d - t o p p e d t o m b had sprung. T h e n at a later d a t e t h e whole h a d been replastered, covering t h e d a d o and t o p all in one uniform coat with stripes. T h e stucco found was this coating, bearing on one side a cast of t h e older structure, a n d t h e face of t h e newer on t h e other side. T h i s section and view of the inner side is shown on PL V E , with t h e restoration sketch. T h e ribbing was in t h e s a m e place on t h e inner and outer coats ; b u t in parts it obviously slanted. T h e original t o m b and t h e new coat h a d been coloured blue on t h e s a m e b a n d s . T h e b a n d s measured were white 4*4, blue 5'8, w. 4-0, b. 3-2, w. 7-4, b. 3-1, w. 3-8, b. 5-9, w. 4-6. I t seems then t h a t there was a broad blue of 5'9, with a narrower of 3T on each side. T h e whites between averaged 4*2 wide, and a broad white of 7'4 p a r t e d t h e groups of blues. T h e whole group was 28 inches. T h e d a d o spaces are 13-2 high and 1^2 low, or 28'2 inches for t h e group. T h e b a n d s therefore keep pace with t h e dado, t h o u g h not centred over t h e battle ments. T h e curvature of t h e stucco indicates a b r e a d t h of a b o u t 103 inches ; b u t as t h e E g y p t i a n s used a parabolic arch, t h e actual b r e a d t h would be r a t h e r less. T h e original size of t h e built-up t o m b was p r o b a b l y a d a p t e d to t h e grave below. T h e nearest of these graves t h a t could be measured was 126 inches long including t h e end walls. N o w if t h e r e were t h e n u m b e r of b a t t l e m e n t s t h a t are shown in t h e restora tion sketch they would be 126-4 l g , or e x a c t l y t h e length of t h e grave and its walls. If there were t h e n u m b e r shown on t h e end, t h e b r e a d t h would h a v e been 98 -4, agreeing with the b r e a d t h of rather u n d e r 103 shown b y t h e c u r v a t u r e ; t h e grave with its walls below was about 84 wide over all. A s t h e stucco was found between graves n a n d 12, and grave 11 h a d contained a very rich burial, it seems probable t h a t this decorated t o m b was above grave 11.n

t h r e e had head to east and four had head to west, b u t all with t h e face to t h e north. T h u s evidently t h e h e a d to n o r t h and face east was t h e normal position of burial. All the bodies h a d t h e knees sharply bent, where t h e position was preserved. A t A b y d o s t h e royal retainers lay with head north in five cases, south in one o t h e r ; a n d facing half to east half to w e s t ; b u t t h e graves in t h e t o w n of t h e 1ST d y n a s t y are c o n t r a r y in direction, eight having head t o south, one to north, and one to e a s t ; a n d all lay on t h e left side, t h a t is usually facing west. H e n c e t h e royal retainers a t A b y d o s a n d t h e Gizeh burials have t h e same direction ; while t h e A b y d o s town burials are reversed. T h e sketches of t h e plans of graves are shown in PL V I A. It seems t h a t the graves were plundered while the roofs were still in place, as in some cases t h e alabaster j a r s h a d evidently been thrown one on t h e other in a corner a n d broken on t h e floor of t h e grave. T h e contents of t h e graves were as follows. The cylinder vases are all d r a w n in Plates V, A, B ; t h e bowls in Plates V, C, D ; t h e p o t t e r y in V , E . Grave 000. F l i n t knife, PI. I V ; large ivory spoon, rotted ; 1 cylinder jar ; 1 bowl. 1. 1 bowl ; 2 large jars. 2. 2 bowls, one with uas sign. 3. 2 cylinder jars ; 1 bowl. 4. 2 large jars, 2 egg-shaped jars, bowl, pottery. 5. 2 stone bowls. 6. 1 cylinder jar. 7. 6 bowls. 8. 2 bowls. 11. 2 ivory cylinder jars, I I I ; I V ; V , 15, 16. Ivory ibex, I V ; V, 9 : circular boxes, I V ; V , 1 9 - 2 1 : 2 spoons, V, 31, 3 2 : hair-pin, V , 2 6 : hand, I V ; V, 25 : bull's leg, I V ; V, 2 8 : disc foot, V, 27 : bit of cup, V , 24 : slip, V, 18 : covers a n d slates, I V ; V , 1 0 , 1 1 . Gold needles, I V ; V, 13, 14. C o p p e r lid, IV. 2 c o p p e r tools, V, 22, 23. 4 small stone vases, I I I ; V, 1, 2, 4, 5. Lazuli vase, I I I ; V, 3. Bit of flint armlet, V, 29. 6 cylinder j a r s ; 13 bowls. 12. Copper bowl. 6 cylinder jars. 5 bowls. 13. Ivory cylinder jar, V, 17 ; long spoon, V, 34. Glazed disc, I V ; V, 35. A d z e a t h a n d a n d a t knee, I I I , A. 2 ivory pins. Cylinder jar. 2 bowls. 14. 2 pieces of flint bracelets, cylinder jar, 2 bowls. 15. V a s e s as in PI. I I . 3 cylinder jars, 6 bowls, 3 pots. 16. Cylinder jar.

8. T h e half of t h e remaining 38 and t h e t h e bodies with h e a d

burials h a d all been disturbed, a n d about graves were e m p t y ; two graves with bones are shown in PL I I I A, t h e former is grave latter is grave 39. A s regards t h e direction, remaining in four N . S . graves were all north, face east. Of t h e E . W . graves,

STONE VASES AND SMALL OBJECTS 3 cylinder jars. Cylinder jar, 4 bowls. Bowl. Ivory gazelle wands, I V ; V , 6, 7. C o m b , T V ; V, 8. Lid, V, 12. F l i n t armlets, I I I . 4 pots. 36. 2 pots. 38. P o t t e r y . See view PI. I l l A . 39. Bowl. See view PI. I l l A. 40. 2 cylinder jars. B o x coffin. 4 1 . 2 cylinder j a r s and stand. F l i n t scrapers. 42. T r a c e of b o x coffin. 44. T r a c e of b o x coffin. 51. 2 bowls. 56. S l a t e palettes, I I I . Copper chisel. Inscribed flint, I I I A. F l i n t flakes. 9. T h e stone vases are drawn in t h e Pis. V, V A, V B, V C, V D , and some p h o t o g r a p h e d in Pis. II and I I I . T h e t y p e s are well k n o w n in t h e 1ST d y n a s t y (compare Royal Tombs ii, Pis. xlvi. to liii G). T h e cylinder jars of alabaster have t h e w a vy line in only two e x a m p l e s , and such belong to t h e beginning of t h e d y n a s t y ; b u t t h e cord p a t t e r n is closely notched as in the first half of t h e d y n a s t y , and not coarsely as in the second half. T h e small t r u m p e t - m o u t h vases belong mainly to t h e t o m b s from M e n a and Zet. T h e slate, syenite, and alabaster bowls are of t h e t y p e s from Zer to D e n . H e n c e as this t o m b is dated to Zet by t h e sealing ( I I I A), it does not seem t h a t there was a n y perceptible lag in t h e styles between A b y d o s and Gizeh. In PL I I I the four cups a n d t h e barrel vase are from grave 11, t h e u p p e r necked vase from grave 13, and t h a t at t h e base from a t o m b on t h e hill. A s regards t h e materials t h e y are closely like those used in t h e royal t o m b of Zet. T h e total n u m b e r s for comparison are 60 vases recorded here, 85 from t h e t o m b of Zet, and 752 from all t h e royal tombs. R e d u c i n g these t o percentages of each kind of stone we h a v e Gizeh

5

17. 18. 21. 23.

T h e p r e d o m i n a n c e of slate and alabaster at Gizeh is due to t h e forms having been more exhaustively drawn, whereas a g r e a t mass of duplicate e x a m p l e s a t A b y d o s were not registered. O n t h e whole t h e Gizeh t o m b s seem poorer in t h e rare stones, which m i g h t be e x p e c t e d as t h e y are only t h e t o m b s of retainers and not of a k i n g as a t A b y d o s . T h e vase fragments found for t h e Museum in t h e main burial at Gizeh are not published in detail, a n d I could not refer t o t h e m as t h e official in charge was a w a y when I enquired. T h e e x a c t similarity of a r e m a r k a b l y fine bowl of m e t a m o r p h i c rock t o one from t h e t o m b of Z e t {Royal Tombs ii, 1, 153) suggests t h a t t h e y c a m e from t h e s a m e w o r k m a n . Altogether t h e r e is n o local difference of a n y i m p o r t a n c e between t h e objects used a t A b y d o s and at Gizeh, and this shows t h e unification of t h e civilisation at t h e time. 10. In one grave, 56, at t h e east end of t h e south line, two slate palettes were found, indicating t h a t t h e scribe or artist was buried there. T h e s e a r e shown in PL I I I ; each h a s one p a n covered with black and t h e other with red paint. From the size of t h e p a n s it is clear t h a t t h e y were not for small quantities used in writing, as the colour would dry u p too quickly ; nor were t h e y for colour-washes on walls, as t h e y would not hold enough. T h e use of t h e m seems to h a v e been for p a i n t i n g scenes on t h e flat, or for colouring s t a t u e s ; a n d certainly a small brush was used, as shown b y t h e streaks of colour on t h e edges of t h e larger palette. S u c h a palette is shown h u n g b y one end over t h e shoulder of a scribe, on the panel of H e s y ; a n d this larger palette h a s a hole in t h e end for h a n g i n g it. T h e size of t h e larger palette is i o 9 4 , i o 9 8 , 1 0 7 6 long, 5 45, S 48, S'SO wide, t h e p a n s 4'6o across ; t h e lesser is 4-14, 4 ' i i long, 2-17, 2-18, 2 20 wide, t h e p a n s 1 7 2 to 1 7 4 inches across., -

Zet

Abydos

Crystal Basalt Syenite, &c. Volcanic Serpentine . Slate . . . Dolomite . . Alabaster . Coloured limestone Grey White

I 3 7 1 1 . 19 11 47 4 0 6

S 3 10 S 3 7 IS 28 20 3 I

8 5 11 11 3 8 14 18 13 S 4

T h e accounts of this scribe were found in t h e grave written on a slip of flint, a t a b o u t t h e position of t h e hands. T h i s is p h o t o g r a p h e d on PL I I I A . T h e n u m b e r s on it a r e written much like t h e piece of accounts from t h e t o m b of Zet (Royal Tombs i, x i x , 11), a n d we read t h e n u m b e r s 78, 103, 4 0 and 60. In t h e s a m e grave, 56, a m u c h corroded copper chisel was found b e n e a t h t h e large palette, lying u p o n t h e pelvis. In a n o t h e r grave, 13, on t h e west side, two copper adzes were f o u n d ; t h e better pre served is shown on PI. I l l A . T h e b o d y was in a b o x coffin a b o u t 49 x 28 inches, with the knees

.

6

THE 1ST DYNASTY.

GIZEH

sharply b e n t ; o n e adze lay before t h e a r m s , t h e other was set u p r i g h t between t h e knees. These are e x a c t l y t h e s a m e form as the copper adze of k i n g Zer, Royal Tombs ii, vi, 23. A copper bowl, rather crushed and corroded, was found in grave 12 ; it was like t h a t from t h e t o m b of S e m e r - k h e t , Royal Tombs i, xii, 11. T h e flint-work was m u c h like t h a t of t h e s a m e period elsewhere. T h e first knife on PI. I V is like a curved tip of one found in t h e t o m b of Z e t ; a n d t h e second knife is like t h e fragments found in t h e t o m b of Zer, see Abydos i, xiv. T h e pointed flakes resemble those of Zer a n d Zet, and t h e r o u n d - e n d e d flakes from grave 41 are like those of Zer, Zet, a n d Mer-neit. T h u s t h e style of flint-work, b o t h detailed a n d rough, agrees with t h a t at A b y d o s , a n d shows t h a t there is not fifty years of difference either way between t h e work of t h e southern and northern capitals. T h e flint bracelets, PL I I I , were found on t h e right fore-arm of a b o d y in grave 23. T h e y are like those found in t h e t o m b s of Zer a n d Zet. 11. T h e toilet objects are shown in Pis. I V , V. T h e little circular ivory dishes with lids, are not k n o w n before. T h e two loops at t h e sides are doubtless for a hinge-pin a n d a closing-pin : t h e decoration on the sides and lids is b y rows of drilled spots. T h e y were p r o b a b l y for containing eye-paint. Below these in t h e p h o t o g r a p h is a carved h a n d from a statuette. N e x t is an o r y x couchant forming t h e handle of an ivory lid, of which a piece of t h e edge lies below. A t t h e right h a n d is a bull's leg from a casket. A t t h e base of t h e p h o t o g r a p h on t h e left are two ivory covers for kohl slabs, a n d one slate s l a b ; such small slabs a n d covers belong to t h e time of Zet (see Royal Tombs ii, xxxviii, 2, 50, 51). In t h e middle is an ivory comb, of t h e same form as one from t h e t o m b of Zer {R. T. ii, x x x i v , 26). Below it are two needles of gold ; t h e y h a v e only been found of copper before. A t t h e right is a copper cap from a jar, a n d a cylindrical j a r of ivory. T h e two ivory wands, PI. I V , with gazelle heads were found in grave 23 ; t h e y are finely carved, a n d were doubtless used b y a d a n c e r for m a r k i n g time, as in t h e scene in Deshasheh, xii. Below is a disc of blue glazed pottery, now faded white, with holes for suspension. T h e spoons were frequent in graves, b u t are always found broken u p in t h e plundering. T h e various forms are drawn in PL V. A similar bowl was found in t h e t o m b of Zer {R. T. ii, x x x i v , 81). T h e y differ from prehistoric spoons in having t h e

curious bend of t h e h a n d l e t u r n i n g down to t h e under side of t h e bowl. 12. T h e bracelet of hawks, PL I I I , is of blue glazed pottery. I t is a c he ap imitation of t h e t y p e of gold and turquoise bracelet found in t h e t o m b of Zer (R. T. ii, i), a n d pieces of t h e s a m e form are k n o w n in ivory a n d in lazuli (R. T. ii, x x x v , 81). In this case t h e b a c k s of t h e pieces are plain, and there fore it is seen t h a t some faced one way and some t h e other way, unlike t h e royal bracelet where they all looked t h e s a m e way. A t least three h a v e been lost, there are eight facing to left a n d only five facing to right; t h e e x t r e m e left-hand one in the p h o t o g r a p h is reversed. T h e pieces have two t h r e a d i n g holes r u n n i n g t h r o u g h e a c h ; and as some small glazed ball-beads were found with them, twice as m a n y as t h e hawks, it seems t h a t t h e beads were t h r e a d e d between t h e plaques. T h e two thread-holes run into one in t h e terminal rings, b y which t h e bracelet was tied on. T h e long b e a d s of similar blue glaze were doubtless a n e c k l a c e ; t h e y were found in t h e grave with t h e bracelet pieces. 13. T h e m e a s u r e m e n t s of t h e panelling of t h e brickwork of t h e m a s t a b a are regular, t h e successive portions being (in inches) Projection Bay Group

108 106 109 107mean . 107-5

71 72 70 767 '2 2

179 178 179 183L

79'7

T h e s e are in t h e proportion of 3 to 2,107-5 - r - 3 = 35-8, and 72-2 -t- 2 = 36-1. I n t h e projection the panels a n d t h e flat wall average e x a c t l y t h e same width, 15-3. On continuing from t h e southern r e m a i n i n g panel to t h e fragment on t h e south face, t h e distance is 354 or 2 groups of 177 ; a n d from t h e n o r t h e r n remaining panel t o t h e n o r t h face was 540, or 3 groups of 180. T h u s t h e fragments of t h e ends fall very closely in their right place. T h e total length was 1897 a n d b r e a d t h 831 ; d e d u c t i n g t h e 108 repeat of t h e p r o jection, this gives 1789 for 10 groups, a n d 723 for 4 g r o u p s ; or 179 a n d 181 for the average group of side a n d end. It can h a r d l y be questioned t h a t t h e b a y is 100 digits and t h e projection 150, t h e g r o u p being 250. T h e t r u e diagonal digit of t h e 20'6 inch cubit is 7 2 8 , and 250 of this would be 182 inches for t h e group. W e find in t h e I l l r d d y n a s t y m a s t a b a (sect. 18), on t h e contrary, t h a t t h e customary digit, of

TOMB O F THE REIGN O F NETER-EN 28 to t h e cubit, was used. S o m e other dimensions, such as t h e distances to t h e outside of t h e east and west graves, a n d length of t h e brick chamber, seem to indicate cubit m e a s u r e m e n t s ; b u t as co-ordinate measures do not agree with this, it is best to leave these out of consideration. t h e plan of Lepsius, which was o p e n e d a n d traced round b y Mr. Covington a n d Mr. Quibell. T h e plan here given, PI. V I I , is d u e to measurements t a k e n b y different m e m b e r s of our p a r t y ; a n d as discrepancies exist a b o u t t h e details of the chambers, I regret t h a t we c a n n o t entirely depend upon it. T h e general a r r a n g e m e n t and position of t h e c h a m b e r s b e n e a t h t h e m a s t a b a is sufficiently certain for comparison with other remains. I t is of t h e s a m e t y p e as t h e m a s t a b a s of t h e kings H e n - n e k h t (or S a - n e k h t ) a n d Neter-khet, of t h e b e g i n n i n g of the I I I r d d y n a s t y (Garstang, Mahasna, vii, x v i i i ) ; and these all differ so m u c h from t h e royal t o m b s known down to the close of t h e I I n d d y n a s t y , a n d those of t h e end of t h e I I I r d d y n a s t y a n d onwards, t h a t we m u s t r e g a r d t h e Gizeh t o m b as nearly c o n t e m p o r a r y with t h e begin n i n g of t h e I I I r d d y n a s t y . U n f o r t u n a t e l y no n a m e h a s been found on vases or on s e a l i n g s ; indeed no searings could be found in it, although I offered a large reward to t h e workmen. T h e outside of t h e m a s t a b a is panelled on e x a c t l y t h e s a m e pattern as t h e m a s t a b a s of t h e early 1st d y n a s t y , under M e n a ( N a q a d a ) a n d Zet (Gizeh). I t seems h a r d to believe t h a t t h e detail of such a p a t t e r n h a d continued in use for five centuries without change. T h e only alternative would be to regard this m a s t a b a as a work of t h e 1st d y n a s t y , with a reconstruction of chambers of t h e I I I r d d y n a s t y . But against t h a t is t h e fact t h a t this is on a hilltop, whereas all t h e 1st and I I n d d y n a s t y t o m b s are in low g r o u n d ; a n d also t h a t there is no sign of alteration in the b o d y of t h e mastaba. T h e r e is therefore no a p p a r e n t escape from accepting the long continuance of t h e precise detail of a p a t t e r n for so m a n y centuries. T h e wall coating r o u n d t h e m a s t a b a is 12 inches from t h e face of it, a n d 56 inches thick : and outside of it is a s m o o t h slope of 174 inches wide, rising 40 inches u p to t h e base of t h e wall. T h i s covering wall is m u c h m o r e i m p o r t a n t t h a n in the earlier examples. 17. F r o m t h e inside of t h e m a s t a b a there were obtained h u n d r e d s of fragments of stone v a s e s ; b u t as most of t h e larger pieces h a d been removed before, a n d are now lying in b o x e s in t h e Cairo Museum, it seems useless to a t t e m p t d r a w i n g or restoration till they can b e re-united. T w o or three forms are shown on PI. V I D . Beside these t h e r e were found m a n y stone balls or marbles for a game, in t h e well which led from t h e subterranean c h a m b e r s to t h e still lower funeral chamber. T h e s e marbles are shown of t h e actual size in PI. I V . T h e r e were 2 of carnelian,

CHAPTERTHE IIND AND IIIRD

IIGIZEH.

DYNASTIES.

14. ON t h e t o p of the south end of the ridge facing t h e cultivation, looking down on t h e site of t h e t o m b of the 1st d y n a s t y , we found t h e remains of a t o m b of t h e I I n d d y n a s t y . I t h a d originally consisted of a sloping passage, closed by two successive stone port cullises, beyond which was a funeral chamber. Later o n e portcullis was d r a w n out upwards, t h e other was b r o k e n , t h e c h a m b e r was cut to pieces b y a d e e p shaft passing t h r o u g h it, t h e contents were scattered, a n d a m a s t a b a of t h e X X V I t h d y n a s t y was piled u p over t h e site, with t h e fragments of early vases in t h e filling of it. T h e precise period of t h e t o m b is given b y impressions of five different jar-sealings of k i n g Neter-en (PI. V E ) , which were found thrown into a small well. T h e limestone portcullis now lying on t h e surface is 118 to 120 inches long, 48 to 55 wide a n d thick : it m u s t weigh over 2\ tons. T h e grooves for t h e portcullises are 57 inches wide, and 24 to 25 a c r o s s : t h e d e p t h in t h e rock is 143 inches, or not much more t h a n t h e length of the block. T h e two pairs of grooves were 34 or 36 inches a p a r t . 15. T h e stone vases had been all broken ; some of t h e m remained in t h e chamber, but t h e greater p a r t h a d been t h r o w n out a n d m i x e d with t h e later filling of t h e mastaba. A s being well dated to a reign of which h a r d l y a n y vases were known (Royal Tombs ii, viii, 12, 13), t h e y m a k e a welcome addition to t h e history of vases. T h e forms are mainly dishes (21), a n d a few bowls (4) and cylinders ( 5 ) ; but there were m a n y more too much d a m a g e d to restore, and therefore t h e n u m b e r s a r e n o t exact. T h e material was nearly all alabaster (26), with g y p s u m (2 drawn a n d m a n y others broken), limestone (1), a n d pink marble (1). I t seems t h e n t h a t h a r d stone h a d been entirely given up, a n d t h e flat dish was b y far t h e c o m m o n e s t form. A p o t t e r y j a r like those of Perabsen (R. T. ii, vii, 31) was also found here. 16. O n t h e t o p of t h e hill further back, d u e s o u t h of t h e Great P y r a m i d , is a large mastaba, m a r k e d on

8

THE

IIND A N D

IHRD D Y N A S T I E S .

GIZEH

I of brown agate, 9 of h a r d brown limestone, 52 of white quartz, a n d 59 of white limestone. T h e red carnelian were '42 a n d *50 inch diameter, the brown stone -46 to -56, the q u a r t z -41 to '64, t h e limestone 38 t o -58 inch. A t the t o p of the same well is a ledge cut in t h e rock, a n d on clearing this our m e n found a polished slab of chert, a b o u t a foot long a n d two inches wide. T h i s is figured in PI. I l l A, lighted from t h e back t o show the translucency. I t is not a knife, as there is no edge to i t ; t h o u g h t h i n n i n g t o w a r d s t h e circum ference, it is b o u n d e d b y a uniform polished b a n d around it, about a s i x t e e n t h of an inch wide. N o such object is k n o w n before, so it is now in t h e Cairo Museum. A l u m p of small tools or models m a d e in copper, was found in the t o m b ; t h e t y p e s which can be dis tinguished are d r a w n in PI. V I E. T h e y are similar to those from the t o m b of Neter-khet and S a - n e k h t (Mahasna, xvi, xxiii). 18. T h e total size of the m a s t a b a as measured b y Mr. M a c k a y is 2160 inches on E., 2184 on W., 1114 on N., 1112 on S. T h e projecting parts of the face average 77^8 inches a n d the b a y between 69-4 long. T h e r e are 14 b a y s a n d 15 projections in the length, 7 b a y s and 8 projections in the width. If we subtract t h e final projection from the length and b r e a d t h , t h e y are 2082 and 1035, or 100 cubits and 50 cubits, divided into 14 and 7 similar portions, each therefore of 200 digits. O n e x a m i n i n g t h e subdivisions of the projecting p a r t we find t h a t t h e average of the flat faces is i r 8 , of the recesses i o 2 i n c h e s ; while if we t a k e the mean digits of t h e whole length, 7 4 1 5 inch, 16 digits is i r 8 6 , and 14 digits is 10-38. T h e s e being spaces of 16 a n d 14 digits, t h e whole projection is 106 digits a n d the b a y 94 digits. W i t h i n the b a y t h e average width of the wide recess is 29-8 + "4, and 4 0 digits is 2 9 7 ; hence the b a y is a recess of 40 digits with 27 on either side. T h e s e dimensions are not based on the p u r e digit (of which 40 is the diagonal of t h e square cubit), but on the c u s t o m a r y digit of 28 t o the c u b i t ; and the cubit here averaged 2 0 7 6 , which is rather a long value. I t should be recorded t h a t we also cleared around a large stone platform on t h e east side of the m a s t a b a j u s t d e s c r i b e d ; the a p p e a r a n c e of it is shown on PI. I l l A. O n t h e top it h a d no continuous s t o n e work, the blocks being only the b a s e m e n t of t h e walls, which are now destroyed. A pit in the middle of it was cleared, but led to nothing. F r o m being e x a c t l y in front of t h e m a s t a b a I supposed t h a t it-

m i g h t have been the base of a stone temple, for t h e king buried in t h e mastaba, but n o t h i n g was found bearing on this. O n the west side toward t h e north, a n d on the n o r t h side, some stone bowls were found, three of syenite a n d four of alabaster, which are figured in PI. V I D . A t o m b shaft was found j u s t below the g r e a t m a s t a b a on t h e e a s t ; a n d two bowls of black p o r p h y r y , four of diorite, one metamorphic, a n d four of alabaster were found, which are figured in PI. V I E .

CHAPTERTHE IVTHVITH

IIIGIZEH.

DYNASTIES.

19. T H E great buildings of the p y r a m i d kings stand to the n o r t h of the ground which was open to t h e work of the British School. But in searching t h e ridge of hill south of the S p h i n x we found t h a t the face overlooking the cultivation h a d a row of rockt o m b s cut in it, a n d m a n y small brick mastabas. T h e m a s t a b a s did not yield a n y objects, the c h a m b e r s h a d been rifled long ago, a n d t h e stone lintels h a d been removed, p e r h a p s b y Lepsius. T h e rock-tombs, t h o u g h entirely plundered, h a d t h e inscribed stone lintels y e t remaining. T h e s e were p h o t o g r a p h e d in position, and afterwards carefully t a k e n out. The views of t h e m in b o t h states are given in PI. V I I A , a n d other views of the tombs without inscriptions are in PI. V I I B. I should have wished to plan a n d explore this hill more completely ; b u t the inexorable necessity of finding work on a very limited g r o u n d for a h u n d r e d workers b r o u g h t from a distance, who could n o t be temporarily dismissed, a n d t h e loss of their wages on unprofitable work, compelled m e to start digging at Rifeh sooner t h a n I h a d wished. T h e general plan of this c e m e t e r y as m a d e b y Mr. F i r t h is given on PI. V I I C. I t will be seen t h a t t h e t o m b s are all quite separate in design, and do not form part of a g r o u p on one system. W h e r e rockchambers are cut into the hill, it is usual to have a court of brickwork built on in front of them. In other cases the rock is dressed flat, false doors are cut on the face of it, a n d burial pits are sunk in the rock behind one or more of t h e false doors. O r else we find this imitated in brickwork with a m a s t a b a face, a n d pits behind it, as on PI. V I I B. Inside t h e rock-chambers there is sometimes a shallow burial pit with a little chamber at the b o t t o m ; in other cases there is a rough false door, never inscribed, b u t built of blocks,

STONE INSCRIPTIONS and on removing these a g r a v e is found cut in t h e rock, and roofed over with slabs of stone. O n e such was quite intact. I e x a m i n e d t h e skeleton, of which some bones were displaced ; yet it did not seem t h a t there was m o r e disturbance t h a n was d u e to falling apart, nor a n y clear evidence of d i s m e m b e r m e n t . T h e h e a d was t o t h e north. T h e plain between t h e hills to t h e west of this ridge, three-quarters of a mile south of t h e Great P y r a m i d , was also examined. T h e whole surface is covered for m a n y feet d e e p with broken stone-chips from q u a r r y i n g . A s it is too remote to h a v e been used as a ground for t h e waste from p y r a m i d building,such waste being w a n t e d to bank u p t h e pyramid platforms,the only solution seems to be t h a t a bed of good stone existed here, which has all been quarried out for t h e p y r a m i d s , and only t h e q u a r r y waste left on t h e ground. Y e t a difficulty remains in there being m a n y pieces of red granite, and some of other stones, scattered a b o u t t h e west side of t h e rocky ridge, as if s o m e costly building had existed in this region. N o g r o u n d for such a building could be traced, although we looked over t h e whole area. 20. T h e inscriptions of t h e cemetery belong to t h e V t h or V l t h d y n a s t y . O n PI. V I I A, at t h e top, is t h e lintel of " T h e royal sealer of the g r a n a r y N e - p t a h - n o f e r - h e r ; his wife N o f e r t ; his children t h e interpreter o f - r e c o r d s A m g e s a , K h u t , Ka-em-redui, and K a k a a . T h e necropolis m a n P e p a is satisfied with t h e contract which h a s been m a d e w i t h him ." Below t h a t is t h e roll over t h e doorway, with t h e inscription for t h e h u s b a n d alone. " Give an offering to the king, and an offering to A n u p who is in Ta-zeser, for a burial in t h e cemetery for t h e lord of devotion to t h e great god, t h e royal sealer of t h e g r a n a r y Ne-ptah-nofer-her." T h e m e a n i n g of t h e suten hotep da formula has been somewhat cleared b y t h e construction of it at Tell el A m a r n a , where t h e crystallized tradition was broken, and t h e g r a m m a r of it can be gleaned from t h e variants. T h e possible m e a n i n g s to be considered in t h e usual form a r e : (1) m a y t h e k i n g give an offering to a god for favour to t h e deceased, or (2) m a y t h e king a n d a god give a n offering for t h e deceased, or (3) give a n offering t o t h e k i n g and to a god t h a t t h e y m a y favour t h e deceased, or (4) a royal offering given to a god for t h e deceased. N o w in t h e t o m b of H u y a (Davis, El Amarna iii, x x i i ) there is " suten da hotep of t h y bread a n d beer of t h y house, &c." T h e sense (1) is impossible as n o God is n a m e d ; (2) is impossible as

9

t h e estate of the deceased furnishes t h e offerings ; (3) or (4) a r e left as t h e only meanings. A g a i n in t h e s a m e t o m b (D., E. A. iii, x i x ) there is " Ankh suten du hotep O U a - e n ' r a . . . king of south and n o r t h N e f e r k h e p e r u ' r a " a n d "Ankh suten du hotep O ' H e who is g r e a t in duration.' I give praise to t h y fair face . . . A k h e n a t e n . " T h i s will not agree to t h e sense (1), nor to (2) as there is no person n a m e d b u t t h e king, and h e is not asked to offer to himself. T h e sense (3), " Give an offering to t h e king," followed b y his titles, is perfectly sound. A n d t h e prefix of Ankh before suten, shows t h a t suten is t h e king, a n d n o t as (4), t h e adjective " r o y a l " applied t o t h e offering. Below is a roll from a n o t h e r t o m b inscribed " R o y a l friend, t h e skilful ( m a k e r ) of d a t e wine of t h e king, s u p e r i n t e n d e n t of t h e farm stores, Akhet-ab." N e x t is a view of a t o m b door, and of t h e lintel apart, reading " G i v e an offering to t h e king, and an offering to A n u p in his divine house, for a t o m b in t h e m o u n t a i n of t h e west, for t h e lord of devotion t o t h e g r e a t god, t h e ship's captain, t h e reckoner of the treasury, t h e r o y a l friend, Per-en-ankh." A t t h e base on t h e left is a lintel, " Give an offering to t h e k i n g a n d give an offering to A n u p lord of Ta-zeser for his burial in t h e underworld of t h e royal friend, t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t messenger of t h e j u d g e s , t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t messenger of t h e palace, com panion in t h e palace, t h e lord of devotion to t h e great god, E r - d u - n e - p t a h . " O n t h e roll below is " H i s wife Y m e r y t . " T h e last g r o u p is a lintel r e a d i n g " T h e royal friend, c o m p a n i o n in the palace, E r - d u - n e - p t a h . His wife Y m e r y t . H e says t h e necropolis m a n is to bring these things for a sacrificial offering, never m a y there be a diminishing therein." A n d on t h e d r u m below is " E r - d u - n e - p t a h , S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of physicians (?) E r - d u - n e - p t a h . H i s child, of his b o d y . . ." O n PI. V I I B is an altar slab inscribed " Give an offering t o t h e k i n g and t o A n u p within Ta-zeser for a good a n d g r e a t burial in t h e western m o u n t a i n of t h e underworld for t h e lord of devotion to t h e great god, a n d a house of offerings of bread, beer, a n d cakes to him on t h e festivals of t h e new year, of T a h u t i , of U a g , of t h e sad, of t h e great feast, of Pert, and of saz. T h e royal friend, devoted to t h e great god, t h e royal purifier, Ra-hapef." I h a v e t o t h a n k D r . W a l k e r a n d Miss M u r r a y for light on these titles and phrases.

10

THE

VITH

DYNASTY.

ZARABY AND ZOWYEH skull 4 inches off; grave 51, skull 2 inches off; g r a v e 60, b o d y face down, skull 4 inches off, with jaw on t o p of i t ; grave 67, skull 2 inches off; grave 118, only a jaw, n o skull, six feet d e e p with large stones over it. W i t h no trace of a b o d y , there was grave 15 with a skull a n d a jaw on t h e top of it. W i t h bones piled u p in a heap, and two burials m i x e d together in t h e grave, there were graves 42, 43 (see p h o t o g r a p h s PI. V I I E ) , and 81, t h e last with t h e two skulls on t h e t o p of t h e h e a p . W i t h t h e previous clear instances of d i s m e m b e r m e n t in view, it seems most likely t h a t these latter cases are really d u e t o ceremonies before t h e burial, a n d n o t to being pulled about b y plunderers. S u c h are t h e latest cases k n o w n of ceremonial separation of t h e body. 22. T h e positions of t h e stone vases were at t h e ends of t h e graves. Five a t t h e north end, two a t t h e N W . c o r n e r ; four at t h e south end, a n d two a t t h e S E . corner. T h e forms shown in PI. V I I E are all well k n o w n at t h e close of t h e O l d K i n g d o m . It m a y be noted t h a t t h e larger forms, those m a r k e d 3> S, 37> h found at t h e south end of graves. While the long tubular vases with collars, 35, 45, 57, were all at the north ends. T h e positions of t h e p o t t e r y were nearly all a t t h e n o r t h end of the grave. T h e e x a m p l e s are N E . 35, N. 23, N W . 7, W . 1, S W . 1, S. 2, S E . 3, E . 5. H e n c e three-quarters of t h e p o t t e r y was at t h e n o r t h or n o r t h - e a s t ; usually it was raised on a ledge above t h e head. T h e forms are given in PL V I I F , a n d are t h e s a m e as those of t h e Old K i n g d o m a t Dendereh. 23. T h e mirror was found in four cases at t h e north-east, t h a t is before t h e face, in two cases it was b e n e a t h t h e head, a n d in two cases at t h e south-east corner. A copper adze was t h e only other metal work. I n two burials button-seals were found at t h e neck ; and in 23 graves beads were in position on t h e neck. T h e t y p e s of these were w h a t are k n o w n from H u a n d other places, of t h e V I t h dynasty. T h e burials at Zowyeh were p a r t l y in a small m o u n d of stream-laid debris at the m o u t h of a valley (see PL V I I E ) , a n d p a r t l y in t h e plain in front of this. T h e graves had mostly been plundered, a n d b u t few objects were obtained. T h e best was a string of carnelian amulets of t h e usual V I t h d y n a s t y style, found in t h e valley mound. T h e p o t t e r y found is here m a r k e d Zow in PL V I I F .w e r e a

CHAPTERTHE VITH DYNASTY.

IVAND ZOWYEH.

ZARABY

21. T H E cemetery at Z a r a b y is on t h e western desert about t w o miles south of Abutlg. Mr. M a c k a y e x c a v a t e d it a n d recorded t h e details of 126 graves. T h e objects all belong to t h e V I t h d y n a s t y , according to t h e graves of t h a t age found a t H u (Diospolis Parva xxviii). T h e principal s t o n e vases a n d three burials are shown in PI. V I I E , and t h e p o t t e r y in PI. V I I F . F r o m t h e notes we can classify t h e characters of t h e burials in t h e following details. T h e position of t h e bodies was always with head t o t h e n o r t h a n d face to t h e e a s t : a n d this agrees with t h e direction found both at D e n d e r e h and H u in graves of this period. T h e bodies which remained in the graves were not uniformly treated. There were 22 laid at full length, 18 with t h e knees some w h a t bent, 16 with t h e knees sharply bent a n d t h e b o d y contracted, like the early dynastic and predynastic burials, a n d 4 d i s m e m b e r e d burials all protected b y large stones laid over them. These dismembered bodies a r e i m p o r t a n t as t h e latest of such a class of b u r i a l ; t h e details are as follow. Grave 83, t h e skull lay parallel to its natural position b u t in front of t h e h a n d s , and an alabaster jar ( V I I E lower line of small vases, left e n d ) was placed where t h e h e a d should h a v e been : t h e grave was eight feet d e e p and was protected b y piling big flints upon it, with 2 feet deposit of sand and gravel over t h e flints. G r a v e 86 contained two burials together, the h e a d of one separated six inches from t h e b o d y ; t h e grave four feet deep, protected b y piles of stones, and buried u n d e r a foot of sand and gravel. Grave 97 contained two b u r i a l s ; t h e skulls lay at t h e n o r t h end, one facing downward, one facing w e s t ; t h e ribs a n d v e r t e b r a e lay in a h e a p in front of t h e skulls ; only a leg bone a n d t h r e e a r m b o n e s r e m a i n e d from t h e limbs : t h e grave was four feet deep, protected b y large stones, and covered over with six inches of sand and gravel. Grave 121, had t h e skull lying b a s e u p facing n o r t h , with jaw b e n e a t h i t ; only t h e pelvis a n d legs sharply b e n t were found, b u t t h e y were in excellent p r e s e r v a t i o n ; t h e grave was three feet d e e p and protected with large stones. E a c h of these e x a m p l e s seems d u e to d i s m e m b e r m e n t before burial, as t h e large stones placed over t h e grave were still in position. Beside these t h e r e are other less certain cases, as follow. W i t h t h e b o d y perfect t h e r e is grave 20, skull 3 inches off; grave 39,

THE ROCK - TOMBS

II

CHAPTERTHE VIlTHXIITH

VRIFEH.

DYNASTIES.

24. T H E cemetery of Rifeh is not absolutely d a t e d b y k i n g s ' names, e x c e p t in t h e X V I I I t h a n d X l X t h dynasties. B u t b y t h e style of its c o n t e n t s it largely belongs t o t h e X I I t h d y n a s t y a n d earlier times. N o t h i n g h a s been found in it distinctive of t h e V l t h d y n a s t y , like t h e p o t t e r y a n d a m u l e t s of Z o w y e h or of Z a r a b y . F o r t h e d a t i n g of t h e p o t t e r y t h e best guide is Dendereh Pis. X V I X V I I I ; as t h e n u m b e r i n g is continuous in those, t h e y m a y b e referred t o as D . 1 t o D . 195. A n d for t h e p o t t e r y certainly not earlier than t h e X I I t h d y n a s t y , see Kahun X I I , X I I I , called K. 1 t o K . i n . T h e t y p e which seems t o be t h e earliest is t h e finely formed libation vase, as D . 5, 7 ; a n d t h o u g h this was not found b e y o n d t h e V l t h d y n a s t y a t D e n d e r e h , it m u s t have lasted later here, as it is associated in graves 38, S3, 55, > 3 h h forms which belong almost to t h e X I I t h d y n a s t y . T h e distinctly i n t e r m e d i a t e forms are t h e coarse libation vase D . 109, 124 of t h e X l t h d y n a s t y found in graves 101, 117, 255, 322, a n d with soul houses 35 ( H ) , 68 ( L ) , 1 4 0 ( F ) , a n d 143 ( E ) . T h e globular p o t with a n a r r o w cylindrical neck, usually in bistre-brown ware, is of t h e X l t h d y n a s t y , as D . 61 ; a n d it occurs in graves 86, 92, 99, 150, 228, 254, 256, 331 t o 4, a n d with soul house 61 ( H ) . C o m i n g t o t h e X I I t h d y n a s t y t h e globular developed into t h e d r o p form, as in D . 189, K. 16, found in graves 9 3 , 335, a n d house 1 4 2 ( H ) ; t h e thin brown cup comes in now, as K. 1-3, in graves 107, 116, a n d with houses 46 ( J ) , 44 (M), a n d 93 (J). T h e scrabble p a t t e r n s of this age, as K . 39-45, are in graves 6 1 , 62, 130, 251, a n d with house 53 (M). I t is h a r d l y needful t o point o u t other c o n n e c t i o n s ; these a b u n d a n t l y show t h a t t h e cemetery is certainly as old as t h e X l t h d y n a s t y , a n d very p r o b a b l y began in t h e V I I X t h , while it e x t e n d s well into t h e X I I t h , b u t shows n o t h i n g between t h a t a n d t h e X V I I I t h dynasty.I I 2 2 1 w

three burial pits, see X I I I E . I t a p p e a r s t o b e of t h e X I I t h d y n a s t y b y t h e style of it, b u t t h e only records in it a r e ink-written figures a n d inscriptions of a re-use of it u n d e r R a m e s s u I I I , copied in Pis. X X V I I I X X X . Beside these inscriptions in t h e first hall, there a r e traces on t h e c h a m b e r wall at t h e back of this. T h e courtyard is 215 inches wide and about 400 long ; t h e passage 101 wide, 171 l o n g ; t h e hall 292N., 283 S., 4 7 4 E . , 470 W . ; t h e back c h a m b e r 204 N., 203 S., 208 E., 210 W., t h e recess 4 6 X 62 ; t h e side c h a m b e r 130 S., 103 E., 102W., t h e recess 39 wide. T h e cubit shown b y t h e principal dimensions averages 20'5 5 inches. F u r t h e r south is a n o t h e r a n d m u c h larger t o m b , which h a s never been finished, see X I I I E . It consists of a single hall, s u p p o r t e d b y six pillars, a n d with a pit in t h e middle. T h e design is really with t h e p i t central, a n d four pillars around i t ; b u t it h a s been enlarged b y c u t t i n g further into t h e n o r t h side, where t w o more pillars are unfinished, with large masses of flinty limestone left projecting unworked. T h e form of this plainly shows t h a t it was a t o m b , a n d n o t merely a q u a r r y ; y e t t h e m a n n e r in which the unfinished cutting h a s clearly been d o n e for t h e sake of t h e stone, shows t h a t t h e t o m b s were also quarries. T h i s e x p l a i n s t h e i m m e n s e halls of t h e rock-tombs of this age a t Beni H a s a n , A s y u t , Rifeh a n d elsewhere. W h e n a ruler of a n o m e built his palace for this life down in t h e plain, he so m a n a g e d his q u a r r y i n g as t o form a palace for eternity in t h e cliff. H e m a d e his work serve for b o t h w o r l d s ; a n d t h e labour which we wonder a t in t h e vast halls represents so m u c h solid m a s o n r y down b y t h e N ile for palaces which h a v e long since vanished. The hall of this t o m b is 85 feet long b y 4 9 feet wide, a n d lofty in proportion ; p r o b a b l y some 4,000 or 5,000 tons of stone have been removed. T h e dimensions are, west of pillars 320 inches, pillar 50, between pillars 300, pillar 65, in front of pillars 293, total E . W . 1028 inches. Across, n o r t h of pillars 66 ? pillar 60, between 114, pillar 51, between 78, pillar 67, south of pillars 130, total N . S . 586 inches. T h e southernmost g r e a t t o m b is t h a t of K h n u m u nofer. T h e engraved inscription is given b y Mr. Griffith in Inscriptions ofSiiit andDir Rifeh, pi. 16. T h e copies of t h e drawings yet remaining a r e given here on PI. X I I I F a n d following. T h e s e are on t h e n o r t h w a l l ; on t h e west are t h e colossal figures of t h e m a n a n d his son, also a false door painted a n d traces of a scene of t h e deceased seated with inscription above it, b u t t h e d e e p well before it was t o o dangerous for

25. T h e r o ck - t o mb s of Rifeh e x t e n d for a few h u n d r e d yards, a s shown on t h e m a p PI. V I I I , a t about a third of t h e whole height of t h e cliffs. T h o s e furthest north, n o w occupied b y t h e Copts of Deir Rifeh, I merely visited, as Mr. Griffith h a d copied all t h e inscriptions t w e n t y years ago, a n d t h e r e were other m a t t e r s m o r e i m p o r t a n t t h a n m a k i n g a facsimile copy. T h e t o m b of i m p o r t a n c e nearest t o t h e D e i r is a large unsculptured g r o u p of three chambers, with

12

THE

VIITHXIITH

DYNASTIES.

RIFEH

ladder work on t h e wall. O n the s o u t h are traces of ships, and short phrases. T h e west side of the c h a m b e r is 389, t h e n o r t h 458 inches. T h e south-east corner is entirely cut away, o w i n g to R o m a n quarrying. Also the whole floor has been lowered from about three to ten feet b y quarrying, thus r e n d e r i n g it more difficult t o reach t h e painted parts. F o r long work upon ladders I found it best to m a k e a very wide splayed ladder, so t h a t it was a b u n d a n t l y firm s i d e w a y s ; to have a long t o p bar, projecting on each side ; a n d then t o m a k e a sling, of an old sack with r o p e tied a t each end of it, t h e ropes fastened over t h e t o p bar, and the sack passing between t h e legs. T h u s the whole weight can be p u t sitting on one thigh, the feet merely s t e a d y i n g t h e body, a n d both arms can be used quite freely without a n y chance of tilting over. M a n y hours can b e t h u s spent on a ladder doing careful copying, without much strain, and with entire safety. The tracing paper was a t t a c h e d to the wall b y small spots of s e c c o t i n e ; t h e rolls of paper were h u n g in a bag, a n d the d r a w i n g board, measure, a n d brush were all h u n g to nails on the ladder. It is n o t worth while to t r a n s p o r t well-made ladders a b o u t the c o u n t r y ; a couple of bars three inches square, which can be b o u g h t in a n y town, a n d some sawn strips of board for steps, fastened with big nails, m a k e an excellent ladder in a few minutes. Beside these g r e a t t o m b s t h e r e were h u n d r e d s of small c h a m b e r s cut in the rock. T h e s e had nearly all been plundered anciently, and scarcely a n y t h i n g remained in t h e m ; t h e wooden head, PI. X I , is the only noticeable piece left. B u t a few unopened t o m b s were found, as described below. 26. T h e t o m b of N e k h t a n k h son of A a - k h n u m u was t h e richest. It was a t the east end of t h e s o u t h side of the courtyard, of t h e t o m b with the inscription of R a m e s s u I I I . A descending slope led to a small c h a m b e r barely large e n o u g h t o hold t h e funeral furniture, 80 inches long, 70 wide a t t h e south-east back a n d o n l y 50 in front. T h e positions of t h e objects are shown in PI. X I I I E . T h e heads of the coffins were toward t h e o p e n i n g of the t o m b . T h e finest coffin was t h a t n e x t t o the canopic box, see t h e u p p e r one in PI. X A. It contained (lying on its side) the beautifully decorated b o d y coffin with t h e n a m e of the ^a-prince N e k h t a n k h , t h e second on X B. I n it were two figures of t h e deceased, see PI. X E. T h e second coffin a n d b o d y coffin are m u c h inferior, a n d are for t h e brother, N e k h t . I n it w a s t h e figure w e a r i n g a wig (PI. X E). T h e canopic box, PI. X D , was in the corner of t h e t o m b ; each side is similarly

decorated. Inside it is divided to half-way u p b y cross boards of wood. E a c h c o m p a r t m e n t has a soft p a c k i n g of fibre placed in i t ; and on t h a t is a p o t t e r y canopic jar, painted yellow a n d inscribed. E a c h jar has a carved wooden head, all h u m a n , stuccoed a n d painted. U p o n the b o x stood a pan containing stalks a n d leaves. In front of it was a j a r with similar stalks a n d leaves. Before t h a t stood the two boats, PI. X C ; the one for sailing u p the Nile, with t h e m e n gathered to pull the rope raising t h e y a r d ; t h e other with the mast laid down, a n d t h e sweeps o u t for rowing down the Nile. W i t h these stood the two female figures of servants carrying offerings. T h e whole of the funeral furniture a n d the larger coffins are as fine as a n y t h i n g known of this period, as will be seen from the p h o t o g r a p h s . 27. A little south of this along the edge of the rock terrace was the untouched t o m b of K h n u m u hotep. T h i s contained four coffins, in a rock c h a m b e r only just sufficiently large to hold them. T h e r e was no furniture beyond t h e coffins, and most of t h e m h a d perished b y white ants, although half a mile from the cultivation a n d a b o u t 200 feet u p the solid cliff. T h e first (331) was a square b o x coffin, painted red, with blue b a n d s , a n d yellow inscription, m u c h decayed; in it was a finely m a d e white b o d y coffin with gilt face, see lower p a r t PI. X I , of K h n u m u - h o t e p son of K e t u . T h e n e x t (332) was a b o x coffin, white, with yellow b a n d s a n d blue hieroglyphs, of K h n u m u - h o t e p d a u g h t e r of S i t - a n h u r ; all g r e a t l y decayed ; in it was a finely m a d e coffin of red, with elaborate diaper p a t t e r n (see X F ) on a red ground, the face covered with silver foil, and t h e wig striped blue, green a n d red, top PI. X I . T h i s coffin was so greatly decayed, t h a t p a r t s only could be saved, b y t h e greatest care. Inside t h e r e was a scroll-pattern scarab on one finger (PI. X I I I E ) , a string of small full blue beads on the neck, a n d a little a r m l e t of lighter blue on one arm. N e x t was a finely p a i n t e d b o x coffin, white ground with doorways on t h e sides (PL X F ) greatly decayed ; the n a m e h a d been painted out, and so this was not its original purpose. I n it was a female b o d y in bandages, with a c a r t o n n a g e headpiece, like t h a t of PL X I , b u t in worse state. Tied on to one finger was a scarab with a twist p a t t e r n a n d two nofers ( X I I I E ) ; also two carnelian beads on t h e wrist. F u r t h e s t in the t o m b was a b o x coffin (334), dark yellow with blue hieroglyphs, n o t well painted ; inscribed for A n k h e t d a u g h t e r of A t h a , I n it was a female b o d y in b a n d a g e s , with t h e c a r t o n n a g e h e a d -

THE SMALL OBJECTS piece shown in PI. X I . O n t h e neck was a small a m e t h y s t ball b e a d between two little silver beads. T h e bodies of all these were mere yellow dust, inside t h e thick w r a p p i n g s ; b u t t h e bones were beautifully preserved. N e a r by, on t h e south, was a small t o m b , with a b o x coffin, p a i n t e d red, with yellow b a n d s a n d blue hieroglyphs, roughly d o n e and t h e n a m e lost. T h e b o d y was t h a t of a y o u n g girl, a n d h a d on it a gold shell p e n d a n t , an inch across. O n e other t o m b contained a thick plain b o x coffin of earlier style, with blue inscriptions on bare wood, which had been yellow-washed, without a n y stucco. T h e inscriptions are given on PI. I X ; the n a m e is K h e t i . A vase of globular form, with very tall e x p a n d i n g neck, was with i t ; see PI. X I I I B . 28. T h e m a i n q u a n t i t y of burials, were in t h e gravel shoal in t h e plain ; see PI. V I I I . T h e s e were all in graves a b o u t three or four feet d e e p originally, with t h e head to t h e north. L a t e r washes of gravel over t h e shoal h a d buried t h e m all about two feet; so it was only b y trial, and best b y t r e n c h i n g east to west, t h a t we could find them. All had been plundered, a n d hence n o gold work was found ; b u t m a n y strings of beads, and some fine objects, were obtained. T h e graves are also described in connection with t h e soulhouses in t h e n e x t chapter, sect. 34. T h e only p o t t e r y usually were two jars placed on a ledge above t h e head. 29. T h e most i m p o r t a n t figure found was t h e grey granite seated figure of K h n u m u , PI. X . T h i s lay a t a b o u t six feet down, below a burial a t t h e b o t t o m of a grave ; some green ball beads, t h e size of peas, of regular X l l t h d y n a s t y type, were found in t h e grave. T h e surface of t h e figure had been considerably painted with black, a p p a r e n t l y on t h e whole of t h e flesh. T h e work is best in t h e expression, a n d t h e muscles of t h e back and arms, which are as good as most of t h e earlier art. T h e faults are a lack of pro portion, t h e legs being too large, a n d coarse work in t h e h a n d s and wig. O n t h e belt is an ink-written inscription, with a n a m e e n d i n g in u, a n d only one sign before it, a p p a r e n t l y khnum; as K h n u m u is a divine n a m e sometimes found used personally, it is p r o b a b l y so here. T h e whole reads, " K h n u m u brother of H e n t h o t e p maakheru " : t h e sister's n a m e is on t h e base in front of t h e feet. T h e p r o m i n e n c e of t h e god K h n u m u in this region is d u e t o his being t h e god of t h e town, Shashotep. S o m e wooden figures of this age were found, b u t all had lost t h e colour, a n d were s o m e w h a t injured ; a n d none were of m u c h merit. T h e head in PI. X I I

13

is on a larger scale t h a n t h e other carvings. A small seated limestone figure is fair in detail b u t lacks proportion, t h e head being t o o large. T h e g r o u p of m o n k e y s , PI. X I I , is cut in lime stone in t h e usual style of such figures, a n d barred with stripes of red paint. T h e subject is fresh to us ; t h e female ape is holding h e r y o u n g one, while t h e male t u r n s his back on t h e m a n d is p r e p a r i n g to drink from a large globular pot. T h e ivory wand, PI. X I I , is an unusually large and fine specimen of this class. I t was found in a grave without a n y other objects. T h e t y p e is as usual, t h e lion's head a t t h e root end, t h e jackal at t h e tip. T h e r e are 21 neb signs, and nine mythological a n i m a l s with knives. 30. A b o u t seventy alabaster vases were found of t h e X l l t h and X V I I I t h dynasties ; those of t h e earlier period a r e shown in PI. X I A . W i t h these should be c o m p a r e d t h e d a t e d forms found at H u {Diospolis Parva, x x i x , x x x ) . N o n e of these are of t h e V l t h d y n a s t y types, or of t h e degraded forms of such a t t r i b u t a b l e to t h e V l l t h V H I t h dynasties. B u t of t h e t y p e s assigned t o t h e X t h d y n a s t y there is 194 like D. P. xxviii, Y. 250 ; t h e wide foot vase, last beyond 215, like D. P. x x i x , W . 157 ; a n d t h e gold disc like D. P. xxviii, 98. T h e evidence of t h e vases t h e n would show t h a t the c e m e t e r y d a t e s from a b o u t t h e X t h d y n a s t y , but was mainly used in t h e X l l t h . T h e taller round-based vase, 243, is of blue paste like D. P. x x x , 188, 4 6 1 , a n d was found with t h e two alabaster which are on either side. T h e almost cylindrical vase below it, 215, is closely like t h e vase D. P. x x x , Y. 34, and t h a t a t t h e base of t h e plate found with a g r o u p a t Gizeh. T h e other two cups of 215 are like t h e form D. P. x x x , 349. T h e spouted t r a y 70 is a usual t y p e of t h e X l l t h d y n a s t y , as in D. P. x x x , Y. 448. T h e general forms of t h e kohl vases are well k n o w n in t h e X l l t h d y n a s t y . 31. T h e beads were of t h e usual t y p e s of this age. N o n e of t h e V l t h d y n a s t y a m u l e t s or t h e b u t t o n seals were found. T h e earlier strings h a d t h e bulls' h e a d s in carnelian or a m e t h y s t , t h e h a w k s in a m e t h y s t , a n d other reminiscences of t h e Old K i n g d o m . B u t t h e greater p a r t were purely of t h e X l l t h d y n a s t y style of ball b e a d s of blue or green glaze, carnelian, or a m e t h y s t . A few strings of small g a r n e t b e a d s were found ; a n d mud b e a d s well blacked a n d polished to resemble h a e m a t i t e , with poorer imitations down to m e r e r o u g h mud. A feature here was t h e frequent occurrence of a fish of carnelian in t h e centre of a necklace.

14

THE

VIITHXIITH D Y N A S T I E S .

RIFEH

32. T h e weapons found are shown on PI. X I I , a n d t h e outlines on PI. X I I I , which show further detail a n d some larger wooden forms. T h e d a g g e r is in perfect condition, the b l a d e showing portions of t h e polish, t h e ivory h a n d l e and e b o n y inlays being complete with t h e silver studs which fastened them, T h e narrower d a g g e r b l a d e is probably rather earlier, but both belong t o t h e X I I t h d y n a s t y . T h e two a x e blades below are shown with their fittings in t h e drawing, like t h a t from H u (Diospolis, x x x i i , 1). T h e y are deeper t h a n those of t h e V t h d y n a s t y shown at Deshasheh, but not so d e e p as in t h e X I I t h d y n a s t y at Beni H a s a n . P r o b a b l y t h e y m i g h t be dated about t h e X t h d y n a s t y . T w o little cakes of colour, red and black, a n d a piece of ivory, were found with 194. T h e thin e d g e of copper inserted in a stick, Pis. X I I , X I I I , is seen better in t h e drawing where the b i n d i n g holes are clear. T h i s is an early form of weapon, m u c h like t h a t of t h e V t h d y n a s t y {Deshasheh, iv) ; it is very rare, a n d is now in t h e Cairo Museum. T h e narrow-waisted a x e s are of t h e early X V I I I t h d y n a s t y ; a n d t h e hard wood handle does not belong to t h e a x e blade, b u t fitted one of exactly t h e same size of haft. On X I I I , 11, t h e drawing shows t h e place of a copper band, which h a s been removed. T h e long curved stick, PI. X I I I , 10, is like t h a t in t h e h a n d of t h e chief seal-bearer B a q t in t h e t o m b of K h n u m h o t e p (Denk., ii, 127, t o p line). A broken throw-stick, 12, was found in t h e c e m e t e r y of t h e X I I I X V I t h dynasties ; t h a t of ebony, fig. 13, is of t h e X I I t h dynasty. 33. T h e p o t t e r y h a s been discussed in sect. 24 on t h e age of t h e cemetery. T h e most r e m a r k a b l e piece is t h e bowl from grave 6 1 , shown in drawing, a n d also in p h o t o g r a p h PI. X I A ; t h e three animals upon t h e brim are a lion, a crocodile, and a p p a r e n t l y T a u r t with h i p p o p o t a m u s head a n d a crocodile on her back. By t h e scrabble p a t t e r n on t h e brim this belongs to t h e X I I t h d y n a s t y . Of an earlier d a t e a r e t h e p o t t e r y stands, PL X I A , with holes in t h e m to s u p p o r t libation vases : t h e r e are two, three, or four holes, almost always in o n e line b u t sometimes in a square. T h e s e a c c o m p a n y t h e later narrow-based t y p e of libation vase, and were intended to hold such in a row, like t h e vases in t h e khent sign. T h e y are found with t h e earlier t y p e of p o t t e r y a n d soul-houses. T h e well-formed cups with stems found in graves 52, 53, 323 are a fresh t y p e . A curious form reappears here, t h e circular pot with a h e a d and s t u m p arms, and with two birds incised on the body, PL X F .

CHAPTER

VI

THE SOUL-HOUSES. RIFEH. 34. FOR m a n y years past, p o t t e r y trays of offerings have been k n o w n from U p p e r E g y p t , a n d a few have been a p p r o x i m a t e l y dated in recorded observations (Dendereh, 26). B u t t h e y have not been v e r y c o m m o