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NYU IFA LIBRARY

3 1162 04525449 8

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF EGYPT

Edited by F. Ll. GRIFFITH.

NINTH MEMOIR

THE MASTABA OF

PTAHHETEP AlND AKHETHETEP

AT SaQQAEEH PART II

THE MASTABA. THE SCULPTUEES OF AKHETHETEP

BY

N. DE G. DAVIES, M.A., B.D.

WITH NOTES BY THE EDITOR

THIRTY-FOUR PLATES AND FRONTISPIECE

SPECIAL FUBLICATIOyr OF THE EGYPT EXPLORATION FUND

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B. QUARITCH, 15, Piccadilly, W. ; ASHER & CO., 13, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, W.C,

1901

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NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES INSTITUTE OF FINE ARTS

Ptahhetep II

FRONTISPIECE

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■irnr'-rrrrnt

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HEAD OF AKHETHETEP

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF EGYPT

Edited by F. Ll. GRIFFITH.

NINTH MEMOIR

THE MASTABA OF

PTAHHETEP km AKHETHETEP

AT SAQQAEEH PART 11.

THE MASTABA. THE SCTJLPTUEES OF AKHETHETEP

BY

N. DE G. DAVIES, M.A., B.D.

WITH NOTES BY THE EDITOR

THIRTY-FOUR PLATES AND FRONTISPIECE

SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EGYPT EXPLORATION FUND

LONDON

SOLD AT

The offices OF THE EGYPT EXPLOEATION FUND, 37, Great Eussell Street, W.C.

AND 59, Temtlb Street, Boston, Mass., U.S.A.

AND BY KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TEUBNER & CO., Pateenoster House, Cuaring Cross Road, W.C.

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LON DON : PRINTED BY GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, LIMITED,

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EGYPT EXPLORATION FUND.

IPrcslOcnt. SIi: JOHN EVAN.S, K.C.i;, D.C.L, LL.D., F.K.,S.

Dicc=||>rc3i5ents.

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Lt.-General >Sii! Francis Orenpell, G.C.M.G., G.C.B.

TuE Kev. Peof. a. H. Saycb, M.A., LL.D.

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(U.S.A.).

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Major-Genbral Sir Charles W. Wilson, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., F.R.S.

CONTENTS.

	CHAPTER I.		SECT. 20.
5ECT.	The Mastaba.	PAliE	21.
1.	luti'oductory . . . ■	1
2.	Extent of excavation	1	22.
3,	Position of tonil)	2	23.
4.	Previous excavations	2	24.
5.	Exterior. The stonework	2	25.
6. 7. 8. 9.	N. side W. side S. side E. side . . - • ■	o O 3 o O 3	26. 27. 28. 29.
10.	Interior. Corridor, subsidiary
	chamber, N. chamber.	4	30.
11.	Central hall . . . •	4	31.
12.	Vicinity of chapel of Ptahhetep	5	32.
13.	Chapel of Akhethetep	5
14.	Burial shafts. Burials, &c., of latei
	date	6	33.
	CHAPTER 11.		34.
	The Scenes and Inscriptions.		35. 36.
15.	( )rioin of mastaba chambers	8	37.
16.	Their elaboration	8
17.	The present example	8	38.
18.	Decoration of Mastabas	1)	39.
19.	The chapel ....	1)	40.

The corridor .... Blending of religious and secular

subjects .... Range of the artist . Corridor of Akhethetep. E. wall

W. wall

Chapel of x\khethetep. Arrange'

ment of subjects .

E. wall . . . • •

N. bay, N. wall

N. bay, W. wall

S. bay, W. wall

S. bay, S. wall

N. and S. walls

The stela . . . . •

CHAPTER TIL

Discussions and Notes.

The Lists of the Estates .

Comparison of the lists

Mode of inheritance .

The evidence indefinite .

Family Relationships. Tombs of

the family at Saqqareh Ptahhetep I. . Akhethetep I. . Other members of the house

9 10

10

11

14 14 16 16 16 17 18 18

19 19 20 20

21

21 21

22

CONTENTS.

41. Pkoportions of the Human Fi<:in;K

42. Colour Notes

FURTHER NOTES, BY THE EDITOR.

43. The nomes . . . . .

44. The sparrow hiei'oglyph .

PAGK ' SKCT.

'>•>

INDICES, &c.

■2S

1^4

27

45. List of the officials of Akhethetep . 28

46. Index to hieroglyphs figured in

Parti 31

47. Cross Index to same . . .32

48. Notes on the Plates . . . .34

LIST OF PLATES

WITH REFERENCES TO THE PAGES ON WHICH THEY ARE DESCRIBED (N.B. — Consult also Section 48, Notes on the Plates, pp. 34-36)

PLATE
Frdiifii^pii'	-r. Head of AkhetheteiJ ......
I.	Plan of Mastaba .
II.	Plans, &c. .
III.	Photogi'aphs :
	(1)	Entrance	.
	(^)	(!attle thrc	3shing (Corridor)
IV.	Corridor	— Key-plate .......
V.	11	W. wall-	—Servants with offerings
VI.	•<	•>•>	Akhethetep (N. figure)
VII.	11	.-.	Harvest scenes (upper part)
VIII.	..	11	„ (completion) .
IX.		; »	Akhethetep (S. figure).
X.	11	E. wall-	-AVomen representing estates . 10,11,
XI.		11	North end (completing PI. X.)
XII.	Photographs of the	Interior ......
XIII.	Chapel	of Akhethetep— E. wall (left half) .
XIV.		11	(right half) .
XV.		11	Estates and angler (from E. waU)
XVI.		V	Estates and fisher (from E. wall)
XVII.		11	N. bay, N. wall
XVIII.		11	N. bay, W. wall .
XIX.		.,	„ (completion) .
XX.		11	S. bay, W. wall
XXI.		11	,, (completion) .
XXII.		..	S. bay, S. wall (upper half) .
XXIII.		,,	(lower half) .

PAGE

. 34

1-G, 22

. ;3-(i

. 3 . 13

. 4, 10-U

11, 12, 23

. 12

13, 14

13, 14, 22

. 14

1!)-21, 24,25

11,27

4,5

14-lfi

14-16

19-21,23-25

19-21,23-25

16, 22, 23

. 16

. 16

16, 17

16, 17

. 17

6, 17

LIST OF PLATES.

PLATE						PAGE
XXIV.	Chapel	of	Akhethetep-	-X.	wall. Key-plate . . . 5,	18, 23
XXV.			))		„ Upper i-egisters	18, 27
XXVI.			7'		,, Lower registers	. 18
XXVII.			,,		„ .. (continued)	. 18
XXVIII.			11	w.	wall (right half)	. 18
XXIX.			*i		(left half)	. 18
XXX.				s.	wall, Upper registers	. 18
XXXI.			.,		(continued)	. 18
XXXII.			,,		., Lower registers .	. 18
XXXIII.			.•		(continued)	. 18
XXXIV.			>)		,, Key-plate .... T),	1 8, 2;5

THE MASTABA OP PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHETEP.

PAET II.

THE MASTABA. THE SCULPTURES OF AKHETHETEP.

CHAPTEE I.

THE MASTABA/

1. In May, 1899, a long winter's work in the mastaba which is the subject of the present memoir having been broun-ht to a close, the tomb was reburied, at a large cost in labour and money, in accordance with the terms of the Government jjerinit. The expenditure might, however, have been spared. A few months later the mastaba was disinterred more com- pletely than ever before by the Department of Antiquities, and its rooms cleared and repaired for the admission of visitors. Really effective measures for lighting and protecting the tomb having been proposed, this forms a happy termination to our enterprise. Unfortunately I did not hear of this clearance undertaken at the expense of the Government until on my way home last winter, and I was therefore unable to take advantage of it in preparing this memoir.

2. Before commencing the description of the mastaba, attention must be called to the necessarily incomplete character of the clearances

on which my observations are based. The accounts of the mastaba given by those who first excavated it, or who saw it at that time, were so strangely misleading,^ and their in- accuracies so quickly exposed by the mattocks of the labourers, that a thorough investigation was at once seen to be desirable. But for this we were by no means prepared. It was of course useless to think of a complete recovery of the mastaba from its buried state, restoring it to its original dignity as a massive structure sixteen feet or more in height. Neither funds nor time admitted of it, especially in ftice of

' Tlii'oiighout tlie volume Mariette's Les Mastahas will be abbreviated to Mak., Mast. ; The Tomh of Ptdhhclep in Quiljell's i?ai/(cs.S('/(H( to Bam. ; and the DculLiiUiler of Lepsius to L. D. The first volume of the present publication will be quoted as Part I.

" I must exempt the worthy Sheikh Rubi, who was formerly Marietta's reli/i.f, and is still in charge of the tombs here. He retained a perfect knowledge of the disposition of the building.

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHETEP.

the official regulations at that tune in force, ^yhich made it advisable to restrict excava- tion as much as jDOssible. In several places, also, deeper digging would have involved the removal of heavy blocks, or the shoring up of a structure, the ruined state of which was already sufficiently threatening. Bearing this in mind, the reader will pardon the blank spaces and conjectural lines which occur in the plans.' Those who have dug in the drifted sand of the desert know how closely its properties aj^proximate to those of a fluid, and Avill understand why more was not done to lay bare tlie exterior walls. Beyond the iden- tiiication and clearance of the corners little was attempted here ; it has been assumed on the plan that tlie walls run straight between the points thus found.

3. As this mastaba is now one of the sights of Saqqareh, there is no need to define its position further than by stating that it lies close to the W. slope of the eminence on which the Step Pyramid stands. A long depression of clear sand runs N. and S. at the foot of the risinsT ground on this side, and seems to mark a roadway separating the pyramid enclosure from the city of tombs. Between this and our mastaba there is only room for one tomb of similar size. Mariette places here the tomb of a Princess Rahent, and shows a small erection on his plan (see Mar., Mu,sf., p. 359). No evidence Avas gained regarding this chamber, but the existence of a larger building a little to the S. of that point became plain. A mastaba of ruder construction intrudes on our tomb at the S.W. corner. On the N. and S. there appear to have been roadways. The mastaba faces 12^ E. of Magnetic North.

4. This monument, so long inexactly known as the Tomb of Ptahhetep, was discovered by

' The limits of tlie clearance are indicated in a geiiei-al way in Plates I. and II. hy dotted or broken lines.

Mariette nearly lialf a century ago, but no record of it was left by him, except a photo- graj)h of a scene in Ptahhetep' s chapel and the rough plan given in his Mustuha^i (under D 64). Owing to the value of the sculptures, he had probably determined to publish the tomb com- pletely, but found no leisure for the purpose. Subsequently the chapel of Ptahhetep was opened now and again for the privileged, and gradually it has 1;)een made known by publica- tion ; but the less attracti\'e chambers of Akhethetep were passed over without mention, and all tradition of their existence was lost. De Rouge had some record of the inscriptions, but apparently knew nothing of the connection of Akhethetep with Ptahhetep {Six Premiere-'^ Dynasties, p. 101). How completely the know- ledge of this had been lost as soon as gained may be gathered from quotations, which com- prise all that was known to the world of the joint mastaba till 1898 : —

" II n'oflre pas d'autro disposition que Ic tombeau de Ti et on y trouve, comme partout, un massif rectangulaire qui est a pi'oprement parler le mastaba, une chambre qui fait office de chapelle, un serdab, un puits, et enfin le caveau souterrain" (Mariette, Voijage dans la Haute Egijpte, p. 41).

" Das Grab des Ptahhetep besteht, wie dies bei den meisten Griibern auf dem Pyramiden Felde bei Saqqarah der Fall ist, nur aus einem einzigen Gemache von sehr kleinen Dimensionen " (Di'JiiCHEN, Photograjihische Result ate, p. 10).

Ext,

erior.

5. The appearance of white limestone above the sand of an Egyptian cemetery is the signal for prompt theft. Consequently the walls of the mastaba nowhere retain their oriainal heiaht and all trace of the platform surfoce is gone. In some places destruction has been carried very much lower, making it impossible to restore tlie

THE MASTABA.

exact height witli any certainty. The liatter of the exterior walls lies between 1 in KJ and 1 in 20. Three kinds of stone are employed in the building. Conspicuous parts, such as the exterior walls facing the roadways, and the upper part of all the interior walls of the chief rooms, are constructed of the fine white lime- stone of Turah. The walls on the E. and W., the lower (unsculptured) courses within and ^vithout,^ the framing of the doorways of the pillared hall, and all subsidiary chambers, are built of a coarser stone of a purplish colour. A yellow stone of poor quality is used for roofing -slabs. Both the latter kinds are obtained, I understand, in the neighbourhood.

6. N". Side. — Tiie entrance to the mastaba lies towards the E. end of the N. frontage. It is narrow and set back in a recess, the S. M'all of Avhich has a much slighter batter than the fixcade. The masses of debrix outside the build- ing at this point foiled an attempt to determine if this recess had been pillai-ed and roofed as in some mastabas, and ^vhether there ■were any remains of an inscribed architrave. x\. white stone which is left on the south wall of the i-ecess may represent the topmost course, but it is too much shattered to retain any trace of inscription. The square lintel stone which ci'osses the doorway is blank. Tlie recess offers jjroof that the builders were not above pre- ferring show to solidity. At first sight it appears to be built of very large blocks, but these ai"e soon found to be no more than comparatively thin facing-stones, backed by a wall of rubble. A. large part of this casing has disappeared from the E. side of the recess. At the iV.W. corner of the tomb the wall of the next mastaba on the N. can be seen, and shows that the lane between the mastabas

' At any rate in the portico, the onl}- point outside where these coixrses were reached by tlie excavations.

must be less than five feet wide at the ground level. From Section 4, PL ii., some idea can be gained how impressive a walk in this necropolis must have been when these great structures were all intact and seen at their full height.

7. W. Side. — The W. wall, which is com- posed of the coai'ser stone, presently terminates at the entrance to another mastaba, built of the same material, and cutting deeply into the S.W. corner of its neighbour at right angles. Its E. wall is vertical, and this, combined with its general aspect, indicates that it is a later erection.

8. S. Side.— The S. wall is built of blocks of fine white stone, but its W. end ajipears to have been broken down to admit of later con- structions. It continues hei'e as a rubble wall of irregular stones and large black bricks, until it meets a plastered Avail at right angles (E. wall of the intruding mastaba?). A doorway in this latter (protected on the N. and E. by a second retaining wall at a lower level) admits to a small ruined chamber of rough construc- tion. The junction of the white stone with the rubble is marked by a small brick recess, and from this point the former extends eastward far past the point where the S.E. corner might be looked for, indicating a continuous frontage on this side.

9. E. Side. — The mounds of rubbish com- pelled me to leave both the external and the internal construction of tlie mastaba at this point in much doubt. The corner of an inner chamber built in coarse stone was laid bare, and also some white stones to the N.E. of this, which appeared to form the eastern entrance of another room. Presumably these belong to an adjoining mastaba, but no clear line of junction could be established. Were it not otherwise improbable, an entrance or extension of the mastaba in this direction might be suspected. Perhaps the last excavation has decided the point.

B 2

THE MA STAB A OF PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHETEP.

Illtr

I'liiV.

10. Pi.s. I. T(i IV. — The nanwv entrance leads into an olilong room, which appears to have served only as a corkidor. In the inside corner of the doorway on the right hand there is a rehate showing traces of mortar (PI. ii.). A similar feature occurs in this room on the north side of the doorway leading to the central hall (PI. iv.). It suggests that a block of wood was inserted here, and a door of some kind attached. The N.E. corner of the room is broken down, leaving only brick rubble to view ; but it appears that this side Avas some- what shorter than the other. About one-third of the ceiHng has fallen in. The sculptures of the walls were never completed, and exist in every stage, from almost obliterated ink designs to exquisitely finished reliefs, 'i'he room ends in a curious recess, now unroofed, the construc- tion of which can be sufficiently gathered from the plans. The narrower portion of it is built of the coarser stone. In this room there was found a fragment of stone with a tapering hole cut through it (PI. ii.) to which mortar still adhered. In the tomb of Mera a similar stone is fixed upright in the floor of the central hall ; it is suggested that sacrificial animals may have been bound to it.

A doorway in the E. wall of the coi-ridor admits to a subsidiary chamber, built of the coarser material. This room, now mostly unroofed, I only cleared to the depth of two or three feet. From its S. end a very narrow passage (?) with ascending roof leads off, and after receiving a tiny side-light on the right, has a still narrower exit between blocks of white stone, which seem to mark a chief room or passage. The ascending (?) passage, which is roughly built, runs very close to the line of the E. wall.

There are two exits from the corridor on the. \V. side. That nearest the entrance leads to a N, CHAMBER by a nari'ow passage, which for

part of its length has a sudden increase of height (see PI. ii.. Section -■)). This chamber is also accessible from the central hall and from the western chapel. Another room, which still retains its roof, opens out of it on the W. Under a broad stone shelf, which extends across its S. end, there was found a later interment in a stone sarcophagus ; but this small discovery caused such pertiirbation among the lesser officials, that I made no closer examination of its contents, a glance inside having already shown me that the burial had no importance. In the passage to the Avestern chapel I was able to determine the level of the pavement.

1 1 . The chief exit from the corridor, hoAV- ever, is by the doorway at the farther end, which enters directly the central hall.

This hall is in great ru.in, most of the massi\'e stone architraves Avhich carried the roof having given way, AA^hile of the tlu'ee which still retain their original position one seems to do so only by a violation of the laAV of gravity (PI. xii.). The heavy stone roofing was carried on roughly hcAvn architraves, ten to eleven feet in length, Avhich crossed the room in three spans lay the aid of four pillars. These latter, Avhich must be monoliths, still stand erect : it is the archi- traves and the facing-stones of the Avails Avhich have yielded. The hall is built of white stone, except the framing of the S. and W. doorways ; but the surface of the Avails and pillars is rough, so that its uninscribed state seems intentional. The large dimensions of the room (20 ft. 9 in. by 27 ft. -J in.) alone give it architectural dignity, for no great care has been spent upon it. The pillars, which are of oblong section Avith angles chamfered so as to leave a rough capitjil, ha\"e not even been finished.' One is left a mere quadrangular monolith, Avhile of two others one

' In tlio pillar liierogl^'pli, PI. xxix., col. K it may be this chamfering which is shown, as apjilied to a wooden pillar without capital.

THE MA STAB A.

angle remains uncut, though marked for removal (see diagrams, PI. ii., and photograph, I'l. xii.). The under side of one of the roofing-stones on the E. has been cut away to provide a slanting aperture for the admission of air, as in tlie chapel of Ptahhetep (Part I., PL ii.) The rest of the construction has been lost by tlic i-uin of the wall at this point.

There are several examples of such pillared halls in the mastabas of this necropolis.^

12. Passing through a narrow doorway in the S.E. corner of the pillared hall, we step down and enter a small room whose roof (now oone) was not higher than the entrance. On the right hand is a shelved recess. In the lowest corner of this a shell was found containing red paint.^ The conclusion m;iy well be hazarded tiiat it ^vas left in that dark spot by one of the artists who painted the walls of the chapel within, perhaps the master Ptahenankh himself. The construction of the mastaba to the E. of this antechamber could not be thoroughly determined. After Mariette's discovery of the tomb the aristocracy of Egypt were occasionally admitted to the chfipel, and for their con- venience a stairway was made at this point, probably at the cost of some destruction. It is only by the removal of this and a critical examination of the foundations here tliat tlie original plan could be recovered.

Close to the door of the chapel a narrow way diverges to the left through a low^ and tiny room, built in white limestone, and ends at three chambers (?), now filled with fallen bricks and stones. In the space between this and the end of the corridor only the lowest part of the building remains, and most of it is covered by

' Mar., Mast., C 6, D 19, 61, 62, 63, and p. 332.

- Tlie artist who is depicted before his easel (?) in the doorway of the tomb of Mera, holds sucli a shell in his hand. Cf. Prtrie, Maihim, pi. xxi.x.

^ The roofing-stone shown in PL ii., section -1, .seems to be in nitii.

the stairway mentioned above. The higher portions of the mastaba are kept up by retain- ing walls (some of them modern?). In one of these is seen the little opening into the narrow extension of the east chamber.

13. Pls. XIII.-XXXIV.— The chapel of Ptahhetep has been sufficiently described in Part 1. of this work. It remains to notice the Chapel of Akhethetep, which is reached from the pillared hall by a doorway immediately oi^posite the entrance from the corridor. It is T-shaped. This rare form was well adapted to meet the difficulty of roofing over a large chamber, but perhaps the upright of the T may be looked upon simply as a great deepening of the niche in which the • stela was placed, in order to give room for further sculpture (so also in the tomb of Mera) . There is a chamber of this shape in a tomb at Gizeh (No. 53, L. !>., i. 25).' iUl the walls are sculptured, but they have received serious injury. The great stela which formed the west end of the chamber lies on its back, and its upper half has been broken away. Both sides of the stem of the T-chamber also have lost a corresponding- part of their sculj^tures, though a good many of the displaced stones still lie in the room. The original position of most of these could be determined ; they have accordingly been replaced in the representation of the walls (Pis. xxiv. and xxxiv.). In this reconstruction it became apparent from some fragments of the southern list of ofterings that this part of the chamber was loftier by 10 inches tlian the bays, whose original height is shoAvn by remains of the roof (PI. ii., section 2). Signs of this additional register are also noticeable on the topmost stone In kHu, of the N. wall. The loss of the roof, by exposing the sculptures

' Compare tlie //(t-chamljers at Meilum (PRTitrE, Meditm, PI. vii.), and the underground inscribed chamber of Ada at DeuJereh (Petrie, Deiuhreh, PI. v. a).

THE MASTA13A OF PTAHHETEP AKD AKHETHKTEP.

to damp, has caused great injury to the upper portions. Nevertheless, much remains in fair preservation, and where the stone is good the reliefs have beautiful delicacy and finish. In places a good deal of colour still remained, though much of it was soon lost with the saline incrustations that held it. On the N. wall of the N. bay this crust completely hid the sculptures, and could only be removed Avith great difficulty. In the opposite wall a hole, scarcely large enough to admit even a child, has been broken, and discloses the position of the serdab. As the chamber appeared to be empty and in ruin, I made no attempt to enter it. It may be the serdab of which Mariette speaks, but there is very likely another, dis- covered or undiscovered, connected witli the burial of Ptahhetep.

14. The chief weU lies to the W. of the chapel of Ptahhetep. As Sheikh Rubi, search- ing his excellent memory, asserted that the stone sarcophagus in the burial vault bore a short inscription, I made an attempt to reach it

at the close of the season, while eno;a"red in re-burying tlie tomb. But the well was so spacious that I was ol)liged to desist, after making considerable progress. Whether by original design or owing to collapse, the real mouth of the well is only to be reached at ground level. Above this the retaining walls of rubble masonry enclose an enormous pit. A much smaller shaft was discovered to the E. of tlic corridor (PL ii., section 3). On reaching the chamber below it was found to be full of the tJehris of pillaged burials of late date, and may possibly lie itself a later construction. Accord- ing to the Sheikh there is a well behind the stela of Akhethetep, wliei^e indeed one was to be expected. No signs of it were visible, but the fallen stela may conceal the mouth. The space between the stela and the exterior wall is vacant, either owing to the collapse of the well or to excavations for the purpose of later interments.

In the shaft of the small Avell there Avas found the lower part of a gray granite sliabti

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INSCRIPTION ON LOWER HALF OP GREY GRANITE SHABTI FIGURE FOUND IN I'EBRIS PROM THE N. WELL OF

TOMB OF PTAHHETEP, SAyQAREH, 1899.

THE MASTABA.

figure, inscribed for Mentuemhat, sou of Ast- en-Kheb, aud fourth prophet of Anion, the well-known ruler of Thebes under Tahanja (Benson aud Gourlay, Teviplc uf Mat, pp. 350- oG8 ; Dakessy, Becneil ch' Goiics Funeraires, No. 201). It is useless to conjecture what chance brought it to this resting-place.

Some later burials were met with beside that one mentioned above. A clumsy wooden sar- cophagus interred near the mouth of the great well was left \vhere it was found. Another

wooden sarcophagus of better class lay just outside the W. wall. The mummy within was adorned with the usual gilded mask and car- tonnage ornaments, but bore no name. The coffin was accompanied by a small pylon-shaped wooden shrine, painted with figures of deities and religious emblems, and surmounted by a hawk with the double plume. Tiiis, with all other chance finds, Avas handed over to the Museum officials.

THE ilAS'l'ABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKllETUETEP.

CHAPTEll II.

THE SCENES AND INSCRIPTIONS.

15. Although the internal construction of the mastabas of Saqqareh may seem endlessly varied, examination soon reveals an underlying principle, in comparison with which the diver- gences are accidental and subsidiary. A building such as the tomb of Mera, which is merely a rectangular shell holding a com- plicated series of rooms, and even a second story, is not so far distant in evolution from the early type of mastaba as at first it seems to be. The latter, as is well kno'wn, consisted of a solid mass of masonry, having one or two recesses in its eastern facade, in which the stela or " false door " was set up, and offerings laid for the use of the dead. For the protection of the stela the recess was deepened, and when the space was found inconveniently narrow for the ceremonies it Avas roofed over, thus be- coming a small inner room. Since all rites and offerings took place before the stela, the room containing it may be called the Chapel of the mastaba. Next to the burial vault it is the most essential chamber, and in it the inscribed door and its altar are the only essential features. In the earlier and simpler mastabas the chapel is of small dimensions, and is situated just wthin the mass on the E. side. The false door was always set in the W. wall, that it might afford communication to the dead who live in the happy West.

16. As piety took more lavish forms a more roomy interior Avas needed for its display. The chapel was set more deeply back, so that a long corridor was frequently needed as an approach. In some cases a hall of such size that its roof

required the support of several pillars was added as a convenience to those who gathered for the cult of the dead ; where pi'esent, it was usually the first room to be entered. Sub- sidiary chambers for storage were also found a necessity. But the chapel containing the stela is still the real justification for all else. The suite of rooms terminates here, and its walls receive the most important scenes and inscrip- tions. If the proposed subjects exceeded tlie limits of the chapel, the walls of the corridor might also be occupied ; but the secondary importance of this position is shown, not only by the scenes portrayed, but also by the unfinished state in which they are often found. 17. It will easily be seen from this pre- sentation of the typical mastaba that the 23lan of the tomb of Ptahhetep and Akhethetep has not deviated essentially from the simjjler form. The somewhat intricate arrangement of the chambers and the strange shape of the western chapel may be largely due to accidental causes, to the double burial, and to the less usual and probably compulsory choice of the north side for entrance. In the case of each burial the chapel is still the all-important room above ground, as the abandoned sculptures in tlie

' Any scientific value wliicli this cliaptt'i' may prove to have is largely due to .suggestions or information gained iu frequent discussions with Mr. Griffith, -who has also kindly read over my manuscript and added several intcre.sting i-eferences. To make particulai' acknowledgments would be tedious, and leave many omissions. I can only say that the reader will not easily overestimate my indebtedness.

THE SCENES AND INSUlUi'TiONS.

corridor prove ; and we fire far from tlie series of fully-sculptured chambers which we find a little later in the tombs of Mera and Kagemna.

18. A brief analysis of the motive of the tomb decoration employed here may also be attempted. A desire would naturally arise that the spirits of the dead should take pleasure in their chapels on other occasions beside those when the i^iety of the living had jDlaced fresh viands there. This problem jaresented no gi'eat difficulty to a people who had such a love for sign, symbol and script, and attributed to them such ]-eal potency as did the ancient Egyptians. At least the designs which they executed on the walls of the chapel and of the entrance, and sometimes on the facade near the doorway, seem to have this for their object. On the one hand, the volatile spirit of the deceased might gain a needed fixity and mundaneness from his sculptured figure and titles ; on the other hand, thanks to the liberal depictions of the labour liy which subsistence is gained and of its fruits, he could experience in this dark and narrow chamber much of the real joy of life and work that was still animating others in the green plains of the river valley.

19, The representations of most importance to the dead, and to which therefore the chajjel walls are in the first instance devoted, are : —

(1) The stela, fashioned to represent a plank

door set in an elaborate framing. The deceased is generally represented on it in the act of passing in or out ; in a few cases his statue occupies the niche. It is ordinarily inscribed with such prayers to divine ^Dowers as would procure for the dead the conditions of blessedness.

(2) The figure, name, and titles of the

deceased.

(3) A tabulated list of articles of food, con- sisting when fullest of about 100 entries.

(4) The deceased sitting before a lavishh-

spread table.

(5) The bringing of varied provisions and the

slaughter of animals by the " servants of

the kii." (0) The religious ritual by which the viands

were fitted to aftbrd nourishment to a

glorified spirit. (7) The depiction of Avife and family, favourite

servants or domestic pets, in order to

assure the dead man of their renewed

companionship.

20. One can imagine the funeral procession 23assing through the corridor on the day of burial. The wooden shrines containiuir the statues of the dead are dragged in by the celebrants with professional lamentation and dancing, and much priestly recitation and ritual, and thei'e follows a long line of servitors leadino; sacrificial animals or bearing; ofi'erings of smaller sort. Prominent among these is the file of serfs, each of Avliom' rej^resents one of the estates of the deceased and carries appropriate gif"ts. These scenes, therefore, form the natural subject for corridor decoration, and the frequent depiction of shipping will be found perfectly concordant when it is remembered that then, as now, the waterAvays of Egypt formed its only high roads. Other representations less obviously connected with the provisioning of the tomb, such as scenes of agriculture and craftsmanship, also find a jDlace in the corridor (notably in the tomb of Thy).

21 . Theoretically the whole of the decora- tion is designed for the one end of sustaining the life of the dead in blessedness, Avhether by the magic infiuence of the representations themselves, or by the direction which they gave to the piety of the living, who by correct ritual, gifts, and prayers could contribute so much to the welfare of the dead. It is true that much often meets our eyes in these chapels that seems |3urely biographical or pictorial, or in which the artist appears to have given rein to his own often humorous delight in living- form and action, in total oblivion of the religious

10

'I'llK MA.S'I'ABA OK ITA II II KTKl' AND A K II p;'nii;'ri';i'

motive. W'l' iiiiisl, iilldw tliiit, wliiil, ill ilscH' irt so iiiitiinil dill Imliid ri'(!i|uoiilly oi'i'iii". Till' ('iil.ii-cly sccuJMi- Miiil oltcii joruliir siipcr- si'ii))|,ioris to tlic S(!(;ii(!S of (hiijy life, iniilcc. siuili Mil !i(lmissio(i iinpdriitivc. And yet, wlicii tlic iii'list scniis In li!iV(! tidvcii US I'lMllirsl. fniiii ;miv llioiiolii, (,| ilic ^rjivi', and \vr ;iit in lln' Imsy lidlds in liiirvest time, sailiim' nii liic river in slii|)s, wjitcliin^ tli(! tiissid of Mil' li(ialiiirii in llic inii-rsli(;s, and acn convincrd llial lir is milv ('X(!r(!isinjr Ids loving' skill in drpiil inu ilir animal lil'r mI' IIic. dcsrrt, llir liinl lil'i' uilJi wliKJi llir |ia|iyi'iis lliick'cts were ali\c, or llii: (U'liwdcd yards (jj' (lie |iriis|)crniis larms, wc; arc; suddenly liroiij^lit hack liy a word in llie siiper- scri|)ti()ii Id llic carcliiial aim of il all. The wlinlc life of iJic (•(iiinlry estate, wlietJKM' merry or liiisy, is lieinrc us, and il. apprars to lie of I lie world woi'ldly. Hut this estiite we liiid is one set apart to supply llir " Iiousr of (;ternit\." 'I'iio I'eajiers, hei'dsincn, and lishermen arc; M(M'V)ints of the same, and all tlio busy move- iiH'iil liast inado, workshops, aeeoiint hooks and all is su|)|)osed to Inive as its solr nid llie assMi'iUKH; to tlm dccciiised of a, lavish provision foi' his home in the iKH-ropolis. 'I'he motive held j^ood though Ihe end was not idwayB kejjt elosc^ly in mind. If Ihe dead man is liero seen husily suprriiilciidiii;j,' the mana^cnieiit of Ihe farm, or enor^fctically enpjii^'iiij;' in the sport which tlir nm.rsIi(!S allorded, it is an admissioii that his happiness could not he considered to Ik; satislied hy tlu^ "thousands of oxen, oi' ^cese and of heer " tor which he |)rayed. The vital and cNcu l('i;al interest which Ihe dead still possessed in the cnlluii; ot the; la.nd ;;a.vc! full occasion lor Ihe most S(;cidar scenes, and when- over the connection ix^caine strained it was easy to rostoro it hy an allusion in the superscript ion.

22, The artist was hy no means a free man. As is always the case, a vinlalion of tin; pi'escriiied canon coidd only he pardoned where merit disarmed criticism. Tin' realistic

fi;enius oi' some artist had conscicrated many a scene or touch, and had 'jiiined lor il, admission to tin; limiled iiiimhc;r ol' possihle suhjects lor tomh sciiljiture. What f^enius had done ^.jenius could do a^aiii. lint for the most |)art the l'j^y])l:iaii dra.iiahtsmeii, who were admiralile copyists, lollowed closely the traditions of Iheir craft. The ^roupiiif^ or selec(i<iii of sul)jects to occupy the walls of :i ehamlier had often no hi;jher I'ltason than Ihe fancy of the patron, or their siiitahility to fill tin; spa-ce neatly with picliircis. Mv(!n the homely hadina^^e, with wliicli the peasants are represi^nted as lij^hteii- in^' their lahours, had f^enerally become well- worn jesting', liowev(;r obvious it may be that it once was ra.cy of the soil.

I 'iirndnr e/' , llrln I lulrji.

23. I'l.s. IV.. .\., XL Kast Wai.i,.- The al)ove notes on loinh decoration may enable the readier who is not familiar with other tombs of the [)(;riod to appreciate Ihe si;;iiiticaiice of the scenes described below, and to estimate the influence of conventional rules on their treat- ment. l*'oi' the sake of conveinence, the oi'der of entrance will be followed, the coiTidor r(!(!(Mvin^ our first attention.

The scenes still visible on the Iv (left hand) wall are those connnonly found on corridor walls. The main space was occupied by three; ships, with their prows to tlic ri^ht hand. They are manned l)y ei;j,ht or twelve rowers each, the steersm(;n in tin; stern ;^ui(lin^- the vessels in the usual way by double steerinj;' oars. The first two boats !i.t l(;ast carry masts. The vai'yinj;' slant of the oars se(;ms to indicate' that tlu; first has I'eached anchorage;, the second is slackening;' speed, while the third is still in full coiuse. The ii<>'ure of Aklicthetep('i') in the lirst vessel can be; restored. The (i{i;ures of two m(;u runninff (with oars, &c. ?) can just be seen above it; but the insci-iptions arc too nnich injured for translation. Above the doorway is a row of

TIIK SCKN'KK AND I NSCU I I'TIONS.

11

serviuils, avIio may liaAc hccn a|i|iiMacliiii<j^- a, sitting- iigurc of" Akliutiieto]), and al llic side is '' tlie servant uf llic Ira and K('c|)cr <>(' Mic Wardrobe; (?), Kai^nitlu'iicnt. " ' 'i'liis one liguro is soul[)turod ; otlHM'wisu all llic ahove scones liaxc l)ccn Iclt nncnt, and remain as designs merely, the ligurcs in black, the ships in red and yellow inks. The greater ])a,rt, iiowever, is now quite erased. Melow the sliips a long procession of lemale tigures deliles, luiaded ])y a, leader, a scribe and a servant. The I'ormer presents a tablet ol' accoimts to Akluitluitep's son, I'tahhetep (cC. Tls. xv., xvi.). Seventeen women I'ollow, carrying produce in l)aske,ts on their heads, and bi'inging birds and aniujals as the tribute oi' the estates. The scene is

leaded

" Review of liie presentation by the superin- tendent ol' the estate attaclied to tim pyramid ' Heautirnr of King Assn., Fii'st after the King, lM;abli(!tep."

Hin(;e tlu; son receives this ti'ibule, we ma,y infer that it is ijresented after lh(^ dealii u[' Akhcthetep. Tlie sign oi' an enclosure which follows the ruune written in I'mnl of each w<iman makes it clear that she )'e])resents nnc <,{' lIk' many estates belonging to Akhethete]). Such a- list is not unconnnon, but In re it gains a vcny rare value from llie mention oi' the district in which each I'arm was sitnate<l. This maslaba, is singularly valiiaJile in all'ording us no less than three such lists of propej'ty. Sciparatc^ treatment of tlu; (piestions which tlusy raise will be found on pp. liJ-Hl and 21-27.

Behind the scenes ab(;v(! mentioned tlieii: folhjw others which secni lo have been taken haphazard l'ri>m iJie decorator s book ol' |)atterns. Below we have the familiar gi-oup in which tethered calves try in vain to reach llieii- mothers, or are held fust by herd boys. Abovi;

' A lint of tllO SOl'VaUtH arjll ollirinis lilllli(;cl ill llir liilllli

will bu fouiiil oil pp. 2S-li().

this men an; em|)l\'iiig wine into large open- nioiillicil jars, pi-oli:iliU' I'or eventual storage in the Iwii long-neckcid vessels which stand near. Above their shoulders is a, hieroglvph which seems to denote the ollice of cellarer. ( )ne of tluMii is being a,(ldr(;sse(i by a, comradi;

". . . . May yoiii' desire grt'atly prosper." The explanatory note is —

"Storing the wine which is for jiit-Uiitii oll'i'riiigs."

Tlu; hilter half of th(;S(; two scenes has only been (executed in ink. Nothing on iJiis wall is in a, liiiished slate. I*]ven in the lower register the; lignres are merely cut out roughly round the di'awn outlines; the inside lines, where; preserved, .arc; only in ink.

24. I'l.s. IV. I\. \V. VVaix. Tlu. W. wall, though likewise imilnished, is in miicli b(;tt(;r (;onditioii. It is oc(;n[)ied by two scenes, each (•onl,ain(;d in fiv(; registt;rs and witn(;sso(l by /\khellieti'p and his son, whose titles are i'(;(;orded ()V(;rh(;a(l. The movement is, as usual, li'om llie door inwards townrils (Ik; [)reserice of the (lead. The first S(;(;ne is entitl(;d — ■

" Viewing the works of the field, that which is bi'oiight by tlu; lisli(;riii(;n oi' IJh^ estates belonging to the l,oml)."

Of the I Wo iipp(;r registei's only so much of tli(; design r(;iiia:ins as to show tha,t tlu; s(;cond r(;gist(;r began lik(; tlios(; b(;low. 'I'li(;r(; would probably be; a fishing scene at tlii^ end. In the three remaining rows S(;rva,iits advance; (;a,rryiiig birds a.nd l)uiich(;s of papyrus and lot, us, I Ik; prodii(;e of I In' marsh-lands. The i'owling seem; aliovc^ the doorwa.y (I'l. viii.j carri(;s our thoughts ba,ck to the labour by which tli(; gifts were gained.^

■ l''roiii \hi; lnmllOH vvhicli ciiiKMiiil llic rnwlcrs llio wioiio iw ill ink. 'rill! iic.\(, figure, liy oiil,Hl.rcjt,i:liit(l uniiH, \h f^iviiif,' I Ik; .siMiMl |,(, olo.HO Uio liul,.

12

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHKTEP AND AKHETHETEP.

The superscriptions in the top register seem to contain three separate and confused spellings of the word irsnir, meaning "birds for the table." ^ They must read " Bringing table- birds " ; " Putting table-birds in the box " ; and " Taking table-birds.''

From the fourth and third figures respectively in the two lowest registers the sculptures are merely blocked out more or less carefully : all inside detail is marked only by the draughts- man's design. Where the sculj^tures are finished the work is extremely good, so that the uncom- pleted state of the walls must be due to an unexpected order to cease, rather than to lack of time.

Pl. VI. — Over the head of Akhethetep are six columns of titles. It will be convenient to tabulate hei'e all the offices assigned to him in the tomb, beginning Avith those in this list.

1. Supreme Judge and Vizier. Pis. vi., xiii.,

xiv., xviii., xx., xxiv., xxviii,, xxix.

2. Superintendent of the Great Court. PI. vi.

First after the King.

Pis. vi., xiv., xviii..

XX., XXVUl., XXIX.

4. Stalf of the People. Pis. vi., xiii., xviii.,

XX., xxviii., xxix.

5. Alt hi inat.^ Pis. vi., xxix.

6. Sub ad laei:^ Pis. vi., xviii., xx.

7. Priest of Maat. Pis. vi., xxviii., xxix.

8. Chief Priest of the Pyramid " Beautiful "

of King Dad ka'ra.* Pis. vi., xiv.

9. Superintendent of the Property attached

to the same. Pis. vi., xiii., xviii., xx., xxiv.(?), xxviii., xxix.

' V. Ben! Husan, III., p. 14; Slut, PI. v., 1. 239. In the tomb of Kagemna there is still another spelling :

\Z\\^'h'^-

■ A priestly title which is still unexplained.

' An office whicli seems to be connected with irrigation.

* This name is always used by Akhethetep in his own titles. In the same title as borne by his son and in all farm names the king is called Assa, and Ptahlietep always uses this form.

10,

14. 1.5. l(i.

17.

18.

ID. •20.

I'l.

22.

23.

24. 25.

1 1 . The same two offices for the Pyramid

" Divine of Situation "' of King Men'

kau'hor. PI. vi. J 3. The same for the Pyramid '' Firm of

Situation " of King Ne'user'ra. PI. vi. Superintendent of the two White Houses.

I'ls. ix., xiii., xiv., xviii., xx., xxix. Superintendent of the two Granaries.

Pis. ix., xiv., xviii., xx., xxix. Superintendent of the Scribes of the

Royal Accounts. Pis. xviii., xx.,

xxviii., xxix. (See Title 2.) Director of the Great

Court. Pis. ix.(?). xiii., xiv., xviii.,

XX., xxviii., xxix. Superintendent of all Judicial Decisions.

Pis. xxviii., xxix. Confidential Companion. Pl. ix. Superintendent of all the Royal AVorks(?).

Pl. ix.(?). Superintendent of the South. Pis. xiii.(?),

xiv., xviii., xxiv. Superintendent of the //f.'<-j:>e/'. Pis. xiii.,

xiv., xviii., xxiv. Great One of the Southern Tens. Pis.

xiv.(?), XX. Director of all Scribes. Pl. xiv. Sal) ad inrr of the Southern Throne.

Pis. xiii., xiv.

Ink traces of a seventh column seejn to show that there were other titles which it was after- wards decided not to include. That one whicli is visible is given to Ptahlietep, but nowhere to Akhethetep. The latter here wears the customary blue and green necklace, and carries a handkerchief (?) in his left hand. The son wears the lock of youth (here only), the neck- lace, and the amulet so frequently figured in the ohapel of Ptahlietep. Like his namesake there he holds a pet hoopoe in his hand. He is entitled —

" His eldest son, beloved by him, his trusty one. Superintendent of the estate

THE SCENES AND INSCRIPTIONS.

13

attached to the ijyramid ' Beautiful ' of King Assa, First after the King, Staff of the People, the Snh ad mer (Pis. xv., xvi.), .Superintendent of Writing (PI. xxxiii.), Ptahhetep."

Pl.s. VII., VIII. — The subject chosen for the farther half of the wall is the favourite one of the harvest field. It is described as —

" Viewing tlie works of the field, the reap- ing (?) and carrying, a sight fair beyond all things."

The execution of the work is curiously uneven. The two upper registers are sculptured in a somewhat coarse and careless manner ; the third and the fifth remain at tlieir first stage as mere designs. These latter are now so soiled and faint that I discovered them almost by accident. Nevertheless, the draughtsman, whose easy brush traced these temporary outlines for the guidance of the sculptor, had un^vittingly raised a most secure monument to his skill. Where the stone was uninjured a little careful cleaning called out again as if by magic the bold lines which it had received ages ago ; for Egyptian ink was almost a mordant, and nothing but the roughest usage can affect it.

The fourth register again exhibits all stages from preparation to finish. On the left the figure is passably well executed. The animals and figures which follow are merely blocked out, and within the rough outline the true lines of the designer appear. Finally, the cattle on the threshing-floor and their herdsman are moulded in the most delicate relief jDossible. The swell of the creatures' muscular necks as they bend their heads is so beautifully indicated that to pass the finger over it is like stroking the living animal.

In the top register the reaping is depicted in no very admirable way. The field of grain is not shown ; the action of the arms is awkward or impossible. Seven men advance in file, and each, seizing with the left hand as many

stalks as he can grasp, cuts them through ^vell below the ears with the sickle which he holds in his right. The awkward action which is represented seems to indicate that the bunch is then thro"\vii to one side, to be gathered into bundles by others. Two foremen by gesture and speech encourage the reapers in their task, which, with no better implement than a sickle set with flints, must have been extremely laborious. All engaged in the work are clothed in the lightest possible way. The second register depicts the carriage of the sheaves. They are placed in jianniers or piled up in bundles on the backs of donkeys; who exhibit their hereditaiy reluctance to do anything reasonable, and make double assistance and frequent blows necessary. A woman and a lad take an easy part in the work by gleaning the stray ears. The scenes are not in sequence, so that to follow the operations we must now proceed from the bottom of the wall upwards. Here (PI. viii.) the asses, having brought their load and dropped it near a stack, are being driven back for more by their attendants. Above the drove is written : " Driving back 2500 (!) asses. Gee up!" Three men mean- while lift the sheaves from the ground and throw them upon the pile. The stack from its regular outline might be mistaken for a granary, but other examples show the piled-up ears. Above is " A pile of 330,000. Stacking the grain."

Next we are shown the two threshing-floors, on which animals are kept in movement to tread out the grain, both oxen and asses being used for the purpose. Men stand round the floor on all sides to keep the beasts upon it. Their uplifted sticks give point to the words " Keeping back the cattle," and to the exhorta- tion of the herd behind them, " Look after them ! " ' The " servant of the Jca " Akharna

' The iiLscriptioH can be restored fi'om numerous examples : -- t "^^ -^ tl V P -~~- •

14

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKflKTHETEP.

is shouting acToss the floor to liis comrade : "0 ! lay on upon his hindquarters " ; no doubt in reference to an ass who is taking advantage of the situation by snatching a mouthful of wheat.

Pl. VII. — The final process is shown in the middle register, where girls are employed in sifting and Avinnowing the grain as it comes from the threshing-floor mixed with chaft" and other refuse. The surface of the stone has suffered here, leaving little more than the figure of a girl who is passing the grain through a sieve to remove the larger impurities. The foiling and Ireaped-up grain are conveniently represented by a hard outline. Above we read : " Sifting grain by the five," ' and " Win- nowing (?) by the five." Analogous scenes show us other women winnowing by letting the grain fall from uplifted scoops, while men keep them supplied from the stack by means of a fork. The foi'mer figure seems to have been depicted here ; over her head is written : " Hurry ! (?) The scene in which the harvest was registered and stored in granaries is not shown, but the stubborn donkey makes a final appearance, as if to suggest the transport. He is being urged and pulled on in a way whi(;h is repeated daily at every ferry on the Nile. Above is the cry of the driver': " Hurry on to thy work. See ! " ^

The second figure of Akhethetep with his son only differs in irrelevant detail fi'om the former, but the titles of the father seem a con- tinuation rather than a repetition. Over the doorway to the central hall a part of the ink

' Mr. Griffith reminds me that five is the unit of a workmen's gang (Beni Hasan, I., PI. viii. ; Kah. I'ap., p. 41). ^

= Restore [j \ TT" g,^ -- ^ -- W^ ef. L. D., ii. 80.

' For an animated description of harvest scenes and their by-play consult Maspero, Etudes Eijyptieiines, vol. ii., p. 67. It will be seen that some use has boon made of it in the above sketch.

desigu can still be traced (PI. viii.). A row of servants bring articles of personal and toilet use (?) to their master. The foremost, who carries the sandals and a form of sack, which gave the name to a common office in the house- hold,* is the seal-bearer Seshemnefer.

Chapel of Jl-Jicfhefep.

25. Passing through this doorway and across the centre of the great hall, we enter the T-shaped chfipel of Akhethetep by a doorway in the middle of its E. wall. The arranoement of the scenes has a considerable resemblance to that in Ptahhetep's chapel, despite the curious shape which has been given to this room. In the chajDcl of Ptahhetep the E. wall is devoted to outdoor scenes, the connection of which with funerary offerings is comparatively remote. But the subjects of the N. and S. walls (notwithstanding a slight invasion of the former by a more secular scene, which also has some parallel in Akhethetep's chapel) converge upon the W. wall, tliat wall being; reserved for the false doors, the list of ofterings, and the scene in which a banquet is provided and consecrated for the deceased.

In the chapel of Akhethetep the same general disposition is made. The whole extension of the chamber to the W. corresponds to the W. wall of Ptahhetep's chapel, and is occupied by the single stela at the end, and on the two sides by a representation in duplicate of servitors bearing gifts, of massed offerings, with the prescribed list of the same, and of the deceased sitting at table. The two W. walls of the bays contain the presentation of oxen and of wild animals respectively.

26. Pls. XIII. XVI. E. Wall. — The disposition of the subjects on the long E. wall is very artistically managed. The rectangular

' Part T., p. 82,

THE SCENES AND INSCRirTIONS.

15

doorway is set in the midst of a clump of pa23yrus, the tall stiff" stems of which harmonize well with the lines of the opening, while they are deftly connected with the scenes on either side. These form two symmetrical designs representing the life and products of the marsh lands. However hackneyed this picture of the bird-haunted thicket niay be, its wealth of incident never fails to make it attractive. The lithe animals Avho seek their j^rey among the reeds are climbing the bending stems in pursuit of it, causing terrible consternation among the fledglings in the crowded nests and the parent birds, Avho bravely hover o\'er their little tragedy. Overhead the air is full of flying fowl and winged insects of all sorts. Unhappily the scene is nearly -weathered away.

Below, in the water, two fishermen ply their craft in frail skiffs, one by means of a dip-net, the other with more ease and success by line and bait (Pis. xv. and xvi.). The artist seems to have considered that in these two odd corners he might be allowed a little deviation from the more ordinary representations ; they ai"e the most original touches in the sculptures here.

Pls. XIV. AND XVI. — The scene proper on the right hand is divided into four registers, and is thus described : —

" Viewing all the works of the fields in the marsh lands, whatever is goodly,"

Akhethetep sits to watch the scene, clothed in a loose tunic and weai'ing a long wig.

In the topmost register the men carry large bundles of the long jiapyrus stems, which they have pulled on the farther edge of the pools. Below is seen the return of the boats laden with waterfowl and lotus flowers. The merry boatmen have bound the flowers in chaplets round their heads, and hung them on their necks, and are poling their canoes over the shallow pools, where lotus j^lfints of both the jilue and white species grow luxuriantly. A

good-humoured fray seems to have been the invariable accompaniment of these trips. This, therefore, the artist depicts, and gives us to understand that if these contests were in sport they did not lack vigour. Below (i.e. in the foreground) we see the cattle brought home across the marshes. A herdsman carries a young calf on his Ijack through the water, and the cows docilely follow. The inscription above is very difficult to interpret satisfactorily.'

Below the whole scene a procession of female figures, representing the southern estates, is received by Ptahhetep. The five properties which were situated in Upper Egypt have their names attached.

" The counting of the contributions of the estates belonging to the tomb, which the South brings for '^ler-liherv, offerings, by his beloved elder son, the snh-ad-mer, Ptahhetep."

A similar scene and iuscrii^tion on the N. side of the doorway represents the contributions of the North. Together they comprise the seventeen family estates. They are considered in detail in Ch. III.

Pls. XIII. AND XV. — The corresponding space on the N. of the doorway is devoted to similar subjects, which depict the labour in the uncultivated lands of the northern estates. The description runs —

" Viewing the works of the field, everything that is goodly, done in the papyrus

beds(?)."

In the highest register are cattle. A labourer assists at the birth of a calf, while the overseer as usual superintends. Next to this is shown the familiar process of making papyrus skiffs by binding the reeds tightly together. One workman is engaged in what may be the

' The reading "^^ /I\ is doubtful, the first sign extremely

16

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHETEP.

caulking or daubing of the boat within. Above are coils of rope, and the words [•s'Jp/ .'<mh ■m mhf, " Building a boat in the papyrus beds (?)." Underneath, men are bringing bundles of papyrus and marsh fowl. "Bringing all kinds of good things made in the j^apyrus beds by the papyrus gatherers (nihtiiu),'- and all kinds of fowl." Similarly below, where the inscription is : " Going forth from the marsh land,- and bringing the work of the fields from the papyrus beds, fair to see abo\ e all things." Over one wlio is plucking up a stem of tlie plant we read : " Tearing out (?) a papyrus stem."

27. Pl. XVII. N. Bav, N. Wall.— The two upper registers here are occupied by outdoor scenes. xVbove, a herdsman watches tethered animals, and a comrade puts captured birds into a cage. On the right an old and privileged servant sits comfortably in a herds- man's shelter. He is enjoying the viands plentifully spread before him, and the antici- pation of the pot of beer which a boy is bringing. Below, on the left, a cow suckles her calf, but in the next group natural rights are being disregnrded, in spite of protestations, and

the milk drawn into a jar. "Milking "

A companion, bent with age or by some burden, watches over another large vessel of milk, which, as is customary, is closed by a stopper. The marking and green colour of the latter seem to indicate that it is a leaf or a bunch of grass, such as a modern Arab would use for the purpose (r. Part L, PI. xvi.). The little son of the overseer looks on with interest, but

his remark, " my father (?)," is lost.

Above and to the right of the dooi'way are pictured the gifts of food for the dead, whether

' For the two strongly contrasted hieroglyphs tiw and aleph, see Part I., PI. vii., figs. 88, 89.

- This new occurrence of the word upholds L. D., ii. 77 and 105&, and makes the correction by Maspero to ""x unnecessary.

piled up on tables or in the hands of approaching servants. " Bringing forward the per-lchern offerings as daily dues of every day." Tlie scenes on the right have been left in the brush design, which was executed in red, blue, and green inks. The red ink lines which gave the proportions of the figure are here well pre- served (see pp. 22. 23).

28. Pls. XVIII., XIX. N. Bay, W. Wall. — The subject of the W. wall of the N. bay of the room is sufficiently designated by the inscription : —

" Seeing the presentation of animals of the desert."

Akhethetep and " his beloved son " ^ Ptahhetep are followed by five officials and a second figure of his son. This entourage consists of a steward, a chief physician who is named Unnefer, and three sah scribes. There are led for-svard for Akhethetep's api^roval, in the two upper rows an oryx, a bubale, a gazelle, and an ibex*; in the two lower a male ibex and an addax, and another oryx, gazelle and bubale. The middle registers are occupied by men who present birds and flowers. The sculptor, dis- couraged by a bad stone, has left the last figure in both rows uncut. The lower hieroglyphs in the columns of titles preserve much of their colour and beauty of outline. Several will be found in Part I., V\. xviii. (coloured).

29. Pls. XX., XXI. S. Bay, W. Wall.— In design the decoration of this wall is the counterpart of that last described, fatted oxen being substituted for the antelopes. Other officials are represented, three of whom

' For the point of grammar v. Setiie, I'erhimi, ii., p. 358.

* The animal, which appears to be a female, is called l/iii-'t, while the male below is given the ordinary name iv/-'. The other name occurs again in the tomb of Thy, but I have no means of identifying the species and sex of the antelope. An ibex is al.so termed there yh, "the dancer" (Bia'C.scH, Die Aijijptischc Oriibenrclt, I'j. i.).

THE SCENES AND INSCRIPTIONS.

17

are .svrA scribes of hioh rank. The description is: —

"Viewing the cattle of the Thoth festival, brought from the properties of the lea and the estates belonging to the tomb in the Nox'th and South country."

The long-horned cattle, decked out with elabo- rate green collars, are driven up in six groups by their herdsmen, who carry wisps of green grass for their charges. The animals in the tojj register are termed ijn, instead of yir\ and are unadorned. The lower part of the wall retained the greater part of its colouring, so that the smaller figure of Ptahhetep and his titles could be almost completely restored to the original painted brilliancy. In this figure the hair or wig is worn in curious waves.

30. Pls. XXII., XXIII. S. Bay, S. Wall. — -The uppermost register of the S. Avail is occupied by a scene in which shrines (?), shaped like narrow pylons and crowned with four feathers, are dragged three at a time by as many men.' The superscrijitions read : —

" Bringing up the sledges by the servants of the ha"

The structures scarcely look like the shrines which contain statues, but present considerable analogy, on a far larger scale, to a class of small wooden shrines of much later date, which also are shaped like oblong pylons. One of these latter (described on p. 7) was chanced upon in the course of the excavations.

' The scene recurs in the tomb of Kagemna at Saqqareh, where the shrine is adorned above by two feathers and pendant tassels ('?). Two bands cross it diagonally. As

the inscription there is 1 ^^^ I ^^, followed

by three facsimiles of the shrine as determinatives, stt must be the reading of the indefinite hieroglyph here also, but the shrine is sometimes called nirt (Bb., Wurterl.. p. 67.5).

In the two middle rows varied gifts are brought by servants, the title being : —

" Bringing forward the provisions belonging to the daily service." "

The second register is manifestly preliminary to the fifth and sixth. Here oxen are being caught and bound for slaughtei'. " Tying up an ox tightly." A lasso is about to be thrown round the horns of the second. " Noosing an ox securely." The scenes in which the slaughtered animals are cut up for consumption are repeated in almost every tomb, and the sentences of address and resjionse or of ex- planation show little variation. One man, after cutting through the hide, disjoints the animal with a large flint knife, while a comrade pulls at the limb to make the severance more easy. Then we have : " Tug ! " "Tug properly ! " " Do it well, comrade ! " " Take good hold, comrade ! " and the resj^onse, " I am doing as you say," and the like. The butcher plunges his hand into the carcass ; as the hieroglyphs say, he is " extracting the heart." In another case the operation is too slow for his comrade, who says, with outstretched hand, " Cut quickly." As might be expected, the knives speedily grow blunt. They are then passed to a companion, and he, holding the knife edge downward in his left hand, restores the edge by means of an implement which is attached to his girdle, like the steel of his modern representative. Though the action is clear, the explanation, " Sharpening the knife," is usually added. The knives are painted a Imff colour, which very closely resembles that of the chert flint knives which are found in early graves. They are set in hafts (red). The sharpener is blue, the handle perhaps being of another colour.

- Read

Pc

D-/^

25o®Tg^

18

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHETEP.

31. Pls.XXIV.-XXVIL: XXX. XXXIV.

The N. axd S. Walls. — In the extension of the room which forms the upright of the T all the sculpture is strictly concerned with the maintenance and well-being of the hi. The side walls being similar in decoration and about equally destroyed, one description will serve for both.

At the far end of the room the deceased sits before the table. Above his head Avere his names and titles/ and over the table is the list of oiferinffs in five rows of sixteen columns, thus containing eighty items, as against ninety- six in I'tahhetep's chapel. Beneath the table, the curious form of which is never much varied, is a pile of massed offerings, and the words: — "Offerings: thousands of bread, of beer, of oxen, of geese, of yarn, and of cloth." These are being brought by some fifty officials and unnamed servitors. Ptahhetep and the " very numerous lectors " appointed to perform with him the necessary rites, are celelirating them at the head of the procession. Behind follow the well-laden friends and servants of the deceased. Four registers of varied offerings above complete the decoration of the wall.

All the work is beautifully finished and is in excellent preservation, considering the ruin of the chamber and loss of the roof. A little colour remains here and there ; the offerings beneath the table have retained most.

32. Pls. XXVIIL, XXIX. The Stela. The false door which foi'ins the end wall of the chamber was, from the point of view of the /r«, the entrance to this, the reception

' A fragment inscribed with part of the cartouche of Dadkara must come from here.

room of his house. It has been a magnificent monument, and a great deal of impious energy must have been expended on its mutilation. Two stones which were recovered near (PL xxviii.) show that probably it differed from that in the S. chapel only in having an additional jamb. The inscription on the jambs, ending with the name and standing figure of the dead, is identical on both sides. It gives the usual formula : —

" May the king and Anubis grant perlcherv

ofterings to him in the necropolis as

daily rations every day." " (May Anubis, lord of the) sacred laud

grant his burial in the necropolis, and

a very happy old age as to one who is

deserving." " (May Osiris, lord of) Busiris grant his

burial in the necropolis city in the

western desert."'

For the titles see p. 12. Akhethetep is here described as " deserving before the great god (Osiris)."

The traces of colour which remained on the stela were numerous and often vivid, but deteriorated with exposure. For notes and examples of colour, see Part I., chap. iii. {passim)., and ih., PI. xviii.

On the figure of Ptahhetep a black line edging the eye above and below was visible, and in one case the traces of a black moustache on the upper lip (cf. Meilirm, p. 24). Beard and hair are black as usual. The deep recess indi- cating the doorway was grained to represent wood, as in the chapel of Ptahhetep (Part I., PI. XX.), but without division into planks.

The hieroglyphs are very finely formed ; a good number Avill be foimd in the plates of the first volume. (For reference index see p. 31.)

19

CHAPTEE III.

DISCUSSIONS AND NOTES.

The Li.4.^ of the Estates.

33, This tomb, wliich contains a burial of father and son, and a record, in some respects unique, of family estates under two generations, might be expected to afford very valuable information on many points of tenure and inheritance. Upon examination, however, it yields little but disappointment in this respect. Growing knowledge may make its data more fruitful, but present conclusions from them are rather of a negative character. Even the relationship of the two occupants of the tomb remains a matter of opinion.

34. Three estate-lists are given in the tomb : one in the chapel of Ptahhetep {Ram., Pis. xxxiv., XXXV.'), another in the chapel of Akhethetep (Pis. xv., xvi.), and a third in the corridor (Pis. iv., x. and xi.).- The two latter give the estates of Akhethetep with slight variation. In the chapel they are set in regular order. On the south half of the E. wall the five estates of the south, or Upper Egypt, are recorded ; on the N. of the doorway are the twelve estates of Lower Egypt.^ The estates range from aljove the Faiyum to the coast, following the western branch of the Nile, and are in such evident order that the apparent deviations from strict sequence must be due

' See also notes on these plates, Part I., pp. 40-42.

■' Quoted as P, N, S, and C ; N and S being the lists of North and South estates in the chapel of Akhethetep.

^ A thirteenth figure has the nome-sign attached, but no name.

to our imperfect knowledge of the limits of the nomes and the position of the estates in them. Tlie scribe, too, would be more likely to follow in thought a convenient itinerary than to keep strictly to the order of the political divisions. Starting at the border between Upper and Lower Egypt, he pi'oceeds to the most southern estate, and then returns, nome by nome, to the extreme north.

The corridor list differs from that of the chapel both in order and contents. Following roughly the order of Ptahhetep's list, the southern estates are first mentioned, but those of Lower Egypt are commenced from the extreme north, and the list works southward in an irregular way. Three southern estates, which for some reason were omitted at tiie commencement, are inserted at the end, and the list closes in the borderland between Upper and Lower Egypt, as it began. There are four dis- crepancies in the two lists. The last name but one in the corridor (C 1 6) appears to be a mistake for S .5, but the substitution of the cartouche of Horakau (C 15) for that of Menkauhor (S 2) seems correct (cf. Mar.. Mast., p. 353). C 3 and 5 (nome VL), which replace N 4 and 5 (nome IIL), seem to have belonged to Ptahhetep (P 11 and 15 ?) and to be genuine names. Perhaps there was some reason for restricting the list of family estates to seventeen or eighteen. (Ptahhetep has eighteen engraved names; another Ptahhetep * two lists of seventeen each.)

' M.\i!., Mast., D 02 ; called henceforward Ptahhetep I.

C 2

20

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHBTEP.

Of these nineteen names five can be identified with certainty in Ptahhetep's list, both by their names and nome signs (P 1, 3, 4, 8, 17), and three others with more or less probability (P 11 = C 3 ? P 15 = C 5 r P K; = C 17 ?). These eight estates, which are common to father and son, are widely sejiarated.

Two lists, comprising thirty (extant) estate names, are given in the tomb of Ptahhetep I., whose connection with Akhethetep is discussed below. They represent, perhaps, estates in the north and in the south country respectively. Of these only one (the 5th on the south wall) can with confidence be identified with any of Akhethe top's, but the 1st on the south, and the 2nd, 9th, and 12th on the north wall, may represent N 7, 12, 3 and S 3. The main part of the estates of Ptahhetep I. have a more important connection with the list in the tomb of Thy, no less than ten or eleven having count(5rparts there. This number seems too great to be explained by chance similarities of name. At the same time it should be noticed that the designations of these estates, which also recur in the property lists of several other families during the Vth Dynasty,' are almost all simple names of products such as might naturally be given to farms. It is suspicious that among the many hundreds of estate names ver}"- few which are complex enough to be identified with certainty are ever met with again. In the case of Tepemankh — Pehenuka — Thy — Ptahhetep I. we may accept the trans- mission of property, since it is supported by other evidence of family connection. The last three, at least, pi'obably inherited in direct succession. -

' Of these 10, Pehenuka (Neferarkara's reign ?) has 5, Tepemankh (Sahura's ?) has 4, and Khennu .5 (Mar., Mast., D 6 and 11; L. /).. ii. 46).

" For further details consult papers by Miss M. A. Murray, P.S.B.A.. xvii., p. 240, and Maspero, ib., xii., p. 236 ff.

35. The number of established relation- ships between families buried at Saqqareh is so meagre that the evidence drawn from similarity of names can rarely be supported by known relationship of descent or marriage. It is unfortunate that, following what appears to have been a family custom, the walls of this mastaba altogether ignore the female members of the house. Interestino; facts reorardina; in- heritance in the female line might have been gained did we know the families into which these high officials married and gave in marriage. The silence is perhaps not in favour of such inheritance, and we see at any rate that a considerable share of the family property passed to the eldest son. But iUchethetep may have had no daughters. On the other hand, it is surprising how scattered the estates are, and so inconvenient a disposition of properties might receive some explanation if there wei'e a custom of seeking alliances by man'iage with the great families of other provinces, and of giving and receiving landed property in dowry. Ptahhetep's estates are even more widely dis- tributed than those of Akhethete]}. Sabu also (Mar., Mast., p. 383) had estates in at least six widely separated nomes of the Delta. It is still more surprising that half the family lands are in the extreme noi'th of the Delta, and that the province of Memphis only contains one of the estates. Can it be that, while the royal residence and burial-place were near Memphis, there was a great centre of govern- ment in the north, where these ofiicials resided ?

36. This mastaba then does not encourage the hope of learning much from estate-lists. The names are so rarely met with elsewhere as to suggest that the properties were continually being re-named, either at inheritance or by reverting to the king and being re-distributed with his name attached to them. No less than ten estates of Akhethetep are named after King Assa. They cannot well have been inherited

DISCUSSIONS AND NOTES.

21

under this title. The names N 6, 10, 11, lo, are Avritten witliuut -V- in the corridor and in Ptahhetep's chapel ; there are two estates (S 4 and N 5) named alike in ditlerent nomes, and two in the same nome (N 1 1 and lo). So that even Avhen two instances of the name occur, identity cannot be guaranteed. It may be indeed that this tomb oft'ers the only sure instance of transference of property from father to son.

F'/ iiiili/ RelKtioiishipK.

37. The name Ptahhetep is fairly common during the Vth Dynasty, though the presump- tion is that all officials bearing it belonged to the same family connection. Akhethetep is a much rarer name. The following is a list of those buried at Saqqareh ^vho bear either of these names. Close relationship can hardly be claimed for more than tlie last four.

Mar., Ma^t., D .^ I C 7' D (i2

D 04.

Ptahhetep (son Ptahhetep-ur) late Userkaf (?).

( Ptahhetep -desher ) ,

I Ptahhetep (son Ptahhetep) ) ^''

Ptahlietep I. (son Akhethetep) Neferarkara (?) and early Assa.

f Akhethetep I. (son Ptahhetep) ')

( Ptahhetep II. (sons P*^^^';;!^^^^^^^^^ ^^''^•

„ E 17 Akhethetep II.

It will be seen that the suggestion (Part I., p. 2) that the Ptahhetep of this mastaba is the father of its other occupant has Ijeen reversed. The reasons for this decision follow.

38. It is fairly certain from the titles and property of Ptahhetep I. (Mar., Masf., D (i2) that he is closely connected with the family to which our mastaba belongs. Ptahhetep I. and II. and Akhethetep I. apparently fall Avithin Assa's lifetime, but as the two latter are both priests of his pyramid they must be 23 ut as late in the reign as possible. Ptahhetep I. is eoya ha, ta sab tha, titles which he seems to inherit from a still earlier Ptahhetep (Mar., Mad., G 7). Akhethetep loses the first, but preserves the second ; Ptah- hetep II. has neither. As we have seen, Ptahhetep I. seems to inherit by direct suc- cession from Thy estates which were afterwards scattered. For these reasons he may be placed first.

Also L. JJ., ii. 101-104 (i-j.

Akhethetep)

Unas.

39, This jaoint being granted, the evidence suggests that Akhethetep, son of Ptahhetep I., is identical with the official buried in our mastaba. While Ptahhetep II. has only one estate which he could have inherited from his namesake, Akhethetep I. presents somewhat larger claims to be his heir ; but the succession to property is small in either case. The titles also to which Akhethetep I. succeeds comprise many more of his predecessor's than do those of Ptahhetep II. ; and while the chief physician Unnefer appears in the tombs both of Ptah- hetep I. and Akhethetep, his name does not occur in the S. chapel. Since the inscriptions contain nothing decisive, evidence of priority mil naturally be sought in the construction of the mastaba. If either of the chapels was built as an afterthought it must rather be that of Ptahhetep, since the chambers on the north Avould only be constructed to serve the western chapel. But in the absence of any sufficient evidence we must assume that both chapels belong to the original plan. The three mastabas, Mar., Mast., D 62, 63 and 64, which

22

THE MASTABA OP PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHETEP.

are perhaps in close faniil}- as well as local connection, have much similarity of construc- tion. All are furnished with that pillared hall which only the wealthiest could aftbrd.' A comparison of the plan of our mastaba with that of D 62 appears to establish the primary importance of the south chapel. When, how- ever, it is remembered that the entrance to our mastaba is on the north, the situation is reversed. The pillared hall is not entered from the outside, as is usual, but is approached by a corridor, so as to give it Avhat it lacked, an eastern entrance. The chapel of Akhethetep thus corresponds in situation with the inscribed chamber of D 62. In any case the principal chamber is likely to be in a direct line from the entrance (so D 63). By the blocking of the corridor, and the formation of an eastern doorway to the hall, the western chapel becomes the natural terminus. Had the passage to the S. chapel been direct, as in the tomb of Thy, the case would have been different. This evidence is very strongly supported by the decoration of the corridor in honour of Akhethetep. It is somewhat curious that Ptahhetep, who seems less high in position than his father, should have the decorated false door which Borchhardt considers to be a mark of rank. But it is not clear w^hat evidence can be drawn from the differences which niark the two burials.

40. As the name Akhethetep is rare, it is very probable that the official of that name under Unas, who is buried in another part of the necropolis, is the son of Ptahhetep II. He has eleven titles which his predecessor bore, thus strengthening the cumulative evidence for the order given above. Interesting also is the double burial recorded by Mai-iette under C 6

' Pilliired halls occur in tlie tombs of Thy, who is probably a coiiDection; Kay (D 19); Ptahhetep (C 7); and Mera (Dakessy, Le. Mastaba de Mera).

and 7 (also in a mastaba with pillared hall). Here a Ptahhetep is intei'red with his father (?) Ptahhetep-desher. He also has a son Ptah- hetep, but as the date of the family is not known a connection can only be hazarded. It is worth mentioning that the deformed cow- herd who is pictured in the chapel of Ptah- hetep {Kant., PI. xxxi.) appears also in this tomb and in that of Tepemankh.-^ Neither can we identify the famous moralist Ptahhetep with any of that name Avhose tomb has been discovered, since the connection with the royal house to which he lays claim is nowhere mentioned. More cannot be said than that Ptahhetep I. approximately coincides in date, and that his tomb, by Mariette's account, Avould do honour to the highest in the land. At any rate, the author of the proverbs probably belonged to the family, so that we may claim in Akhethetep and Ptahhetep two members of one of the most exalted houses of the period, which out of its wealth, piety, and wisdom has made very important additions to our know- ledge of the attainments of the Old Kingdom in art and the philosophy of life.

ProiJOiiions of tJie Human Fif/ure.

41. We see in several parts of the tomb the parallel red lines which the artist drew at proportionate distances in order that he might more easily and accurately sketch in a succes- sion of figures in the same attitude (cf. Pis. iv. and viii.). They are best preserved in the chapel of Akhethetep {r. PL xvii.). The pro- portions in this instance do not differ by much more than one per cent, from those observed in the grave of Manefer at Gizeh,'

= L. D., ii. 103. jMar., Mast., p. 197. '■' L. -D., Text, i., p. 233, where the measurements quoted are given.

DISCUSSIONS AND NOTES.

23

viz. (the length of the foot being taken as the unit) : —

Sole to knee, Knee to buttock, Buttock to elbow, Elbow to armpit, ^

ilrmpit to shoulder, ^ Shoulder to forehead, | Forehead to crown, ^

2 lengths

1 length 1

= 2 lengths

This gives (i feet (i.e. foot-lengths) as the height to the place where hair commences on the brow. A vertical guiding line is also customarily drawn thi'ough the figure. This has not been reproduced in the plates.

(.'olour Notes.

42. All the most valuable notes of colour have been embodied in Mr. Griffith's chapter on the hieroglyphs in Part I. A few additions may be made.

The dresses of the women bear traces of green colouring in one or two instances in Pis. XV. and xvi. The baskets of the first two

figures in PI. xv. are painted in a minute wicker-work pattern of green and yellow. The pin-tailed ducks in the pile of offerings (Pis. xxiv. and xxxiv.) have red head and throat, the fore-part of the body blue, the hind-part yellow, blue wings with red transverse stripes, blue bill, legs and tail feathers. The other species of bird depicted there has brown neck, body and wings, and red legs, while wing feathers, bands on tail and markings on the body are blue.

It may be noticed that the designs for sculpture were not invariably drawn in uniform red or black ink outline. Blue, green and yellow were also employed, each object receiving the colour most appropriate to it. A wash of colour was also sometimes laid over the whole object, thus foreshadowing the final scheme of painting. This was the case in the corridor (birds in lower registers of PL v. ; ships, PL x. : offerings, PL xvii.). The scenes are framed below by a painted border of two colours terminated by black (PL xvii.), and at the sides (and top ?) by the usual border of coloured rectangles within green bands. Traces of this border remain here and there, but I have not indicated it.

24

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHBTEP.

NOTES BY THE EDITOE.

T'ne Names.

43. The series of nome-signs occurring in the estate-lists of Akhethetep on Pis. iv., xiii. and xiv. are of great interest as displaying well the essential parts of the badges and throwing light on their jDictorial significance. In regard to this, the late Ptolemaic lists, on which our knowledge of the symbols has hitherto been principally based, are very unsatisfactory. In some cases the differences between the early and late forms of the nome-signs are so great as to render identification difi5cult. For the Old Kingdom we can supplement the Akhethetep series by others from the Memphite necropolis, viz. by that of Ptahhetep {Bam., Pis. xxxiv., XXXV. : see also the coi'rections to these plates in Part I., p. 40, of the ^^resent work) ; that of the Vlth Dynasty tomb of Sabu (Mar., Ma.^f., p. 383, for which Mr. Davies has given me his notes of the original sculpture in the Gizeh Museum) ; and the early IVth Dynasty tomb of Methen (L. Z)., ii. 3-7). The lists of Ptah- hetep and Akhethetep contain a few nome- signs from Upper Egypt, Ijut naturally the ^ data which they furnish principally concern Lower Egypt ; the nomes mentioned in the tomb of Sabu are exclusively within the limits of the northern countiy. AVith regard to the southern badges, a good deal of material might

also be gleaned fi'om the tombs of Upper Egy^Dt ' ; this will not be discussed here, but it may be noted that in the celebrated inscrip- tion of Una from Abydos (1. 14) a curious and unexplained group, obscurely written, seems to rejo resent the name of the Aphroditopolite nome, the northei'nmost of Upper Egypt (see World's Best Literature, E(ji/jitliiii Lifeni- ture, p. 5297). We now have the same group drawn clearly in Pis. iv., xiv., and the bronze halberd head, harpoon head, or blade, evidently corresponds to the " knife " of the Aphrodito- polite nome in the Ptolemaic lists (see Part I., p. 33, PL xviii., No. 407). The jDeculiar form

of the

without the

group, written as it is usual hawk-jaerch, is paralleled by that of the

' Subjoined are badges of the southern nomes XX. (or XXI.) and XXII., froln the tomb of Khenu-ka at Tehneh. Thej' are copied from drawings kindly fui'nished by Mr. George Fraser. The appendage to the ti'ee apjjears here plainly as a flower. — N. lie G. D.

NOTES BY THE EDITOH.

26

neighbouring Memphite nonio, tlie tirst nonie of Lower Egypt, also in Pis. iv., xiii.

The estates of Akhethetep noted in the sculptures are as follows : —

Nome.

Upper Egypt XX. " Southern .liH(?)-tree"

XXI. " Northern .i/;i(?)-tree "

XXII. "Blade"

Lower Egypt I. " White Wall "

II. " Haunch "

III. " West "

VI. " Wild Bull "

VII. " Harpoon of the Western Side"

Pl. IV.		Pl.	XIII.	Pl	XIV.
2	=				9
2	=				2
1	=				1
1	=		1
2	"•~		2
5			4
4	=		4

On comparing tlie lirst and the tifteeuth of the estate names on Pl. i\'. with the first two on Pl. xiv., it will be seen that in Pl. xiv. the ..L»(?)-tree, without further distinction, stands as the nome-badge for tAvo estates which belong respectively to the northern and southern divisions of that nome. Unless, therefore, the ancient artist omitted some groups by accident, the division of the nome into north and south was not always pre- served. We find parallels to this amalgamation in the case of other nomes.

There is still much uncertainty as to the situation of the nomes of Lower Egypt ; where the capitals have been identified fixed points are gained, but the boundaries remain un- determined.^ The accompanying sketch-map, kindly drawn for me by Mr. Davies, will give some idea of the relative situations of the nomes. It is fairly certain that the Vlth and Vllth lay to the Avest of the Uosetta branch of the Nile. The Vth was the Saite nome, and lay on the east of that branch ; while the IVth, apparently, was immediately to the south of the Vth. Hence it is evident that Akhethetep's recorded possessions lay entirely to the west of the Canopic branch, from the

' Ou this question see especially J. de Roua^, GeotjriqjJne Ancienue de la Basse ^ijijple.

sea to the head of the Delta, continuing also southward through the Memphite nome (" White Wall") into Upper Egypt beyond the Faiyum, reaching the nome of Heracleopolis (the " southern Aiih-ivQn'').

Z,^ VII		0.
	IViiD Bull-'	^
	.		Ml
	"■•■■..		IVE^T
	Mb«.	.>','ll	"'.,

If we turn to the list of the Ptahhetep estates, we find that his property Avas more scattered ; unfortunately some of the signs are lost or too much injured for identification.

26

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHETEP.

Nome.

Upper Eg. XVI. "Oryx" 1

XX. " Southern .L/f-trec " o

XXI. " Xortheru ditto " 1

XXII. " Blade " . '

I

Lower Eg. I. " White Wall" '

II. "Haunch" 1

III. " West " 1

VI. "Wild Bull" l,2,ov?^

VII. " Harpoon " 3

IX. " Reigning King " 1 or '2

X. "Black Bull" lor?

XII. "Cow and Calf" 1 or 2

Here we seem to trace two large properties in Lower Egypt as belonging to Ptahhetep, one in the western nomes IL, III., VI., VII. — which will be seen by a glance at the accom- panying majj to form a continuous chain — the other in the centre of the Delta in nomes IX.-XII. The estate in the Oryx nome in Upper Egypt was widely separated from all the rest.

The estates of Sabu were much scattered through Lower Egypt ; they lay in the fol- lowing nomes : —

II. "Haunch."

III. " West."

VI. " Wild Bull " (or XL, Ox ?).

XIII. " Crook and Shuttle - of the East " ( Heliojjolitan).

XV. "Ibis."

(?) " East."

' It is noteworthy that the symbols of these two nomes, situated on each side of the division line between Upper and Lower Egypt, are figwed in Akhethetep, not on the usual hawk-perch, but on a sign resembling iim (Part I., figs. 206, 215). In the present instance the distinctive badge is lost, and only the supporting sign remains.

- I I iu this name should perhaps be read Aq^ w'-iirt, "the ruler of the evening sun-boat," referring to Atum, the god of Heliopolis.

The first three nomes were continuous. The " East " nome — in name corresponding to the Ilird — probably lay beyond the Heliopolitan (XIII.) on the eastern border.

Methen (L. D., ii. o-7) mentions estates or offices held by him in all parts of Lower Egypt :—

II. " Haunch."

ILL " West.'

IV. ^ ^,j" Target."

VI. " Wild Bull." VII. " Harpoon." XL (?) " Ox " (perhaps on PI. v.). XVI. " Dolphin." (?) " Crocodile." (?) " East."

Most of these nomes again, namely II.-VIL, are on the west, where they form a solid block on the map of Lower Egypt, the " Target " nome lying on the E. side of the Rosetta branch. The " Dolphin " nome is much further to the E., and separate. The situation of the " Ox " nome is very imcertain. As to the last two nomes in the above list, viz. the " Crocodile " and " East " nomes, they must have been contiguous, for they ai^e associated in one title of Methen, just as is the case with the " Target " and " West " nomes, and the "Target," "Wild Bull" and "Haunch" nomes in other titles of his. Probably, therefore, the " Crocodile '' as well as the " East " nome itself represents a nome in the east of Lower Egypt, i.e. VIII. or one of those numbered XVII.-XX. in the lists.

Turning to Upper Egypt, in Lepsius' publi- cation of the tomb of Methen (L. D., ii. 6), the nome of the "Jackal " (XVII.) and " The Nome " are mentioned. We have learned from Pro- fessor Petrie's excavations that the latter was the C)ld Kingdom name of the Teutyrite nome (VL) ; po'ssibly it denotes the same thing here.

NOTES BY THE EDITOR.

27

Altogether, as the following table shows, we now know a very large proportion of the

nome-signs of Lower Egypt as figured in the sculptures of the Old Kingdom : —

I.	" White Wall." Memphite
TL	" Haunch." Letopolite
III.	" West." Libyan (?)
IV. V.	'• Southern ) „ , ^ ., ( Prosopite ) "Northern P^^^S^*^-^)- 1 Saite 1
VI.	" Wild Bull." Gynaecopolite
VII.	" Harpoon (of the Western Side)." Metelite, &c.
VIII.	" Harpoon of the East." Heroopolite (Wady Tumilat)
IX.	" Reigning King." Busirite
X.	" Black Bull." Athribite
XI.	" Domestic Bull." Pharbaethite (?)
XII.	" Cow and Calf." Sebennyte
XIII.	'■ Crook and Shuttle (of the East)." Heliopolite
XIV.	" Beginning of the East." Sethroite
XV.	•• Ibis." Hermopolite
XVI.	'• Dolphin." Mendesian
XVII.	" Joining of the Throne(?)." Diospolite
XVIII.	•' Northern ) ,^, ., , ., ( Bubastite o ,1 I Child. 1 _. -, "Southern J ^ lanite
XIX.
XX.	'' Triangle." Arabia
(?)	'' Crocodile."
CO	" East."

Meth.	Akh.	Pth.
	X	X
X	X	X
X	X	X
X
X	X	X
X	X	X X X
(?)		X
X
X
X

Sab.

The distinctive symbols observable on monu- ments of various ages in the badges of the Vlth and the Xlth nomes seem to refer to the wild and the domesticated animal respectively, the Q^, f^-^^ or n of the Vlth nome indicating the desert and so what is wild, while the O in the badge of the Xlth nome refers to the counting of the domestic herds. rN/^ and O also play on the names of the capitals, Khasut and Heseb.

ylvi Additloiiiil HienK/lypli.

44. Mr. Davies calls my attention to an interesting hieroglyph which escaped the notice of both of us in preparing the text and plates of Part I. It is the sparrow "^^ on PI. xxv., where,

behind the first figure, avc have the legend : "His great (■^=-) name is Seshem-nefer, his little (^^) name is Maui." The sign is rarely found in inscriptions of the Old Kingdom. It probably represents a sparrow, a despicable, small, worth- less and mischievous bird. Its employment in long texts and papyri as determinative of words of evil, smallness, want, &c., is very common. In formal inscriptions there is little occasion for it, hence its rarity. Here, as generally in inscriptions, it is word-sign for the adj. «r, "little." To fix the word-sign value see I'ap. D'Orhineu, ii. 5.

In PI. xi. the title of the men pouring out wine contains a peculiar and doubtful sign that resembles some forms of

28

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHETEP.

45, LIST OF THE OFFICIALS OF AKHETHETEP.'

15-

1f7^

\t^

Q

"^k^W

	Seshemnefer *	v., xiv., xix., xxxii.
	Akhethenem	v., XXV., t P. xxxv.h.
	Kaemthenent *	X.
	Rekeh *	X.
	Aau *	xxvi., P. xxxii., xxxvi.
	(?)	xxii.
	Seshemnefer	V.
	Apa *	V.
	Seshemnefer	v., xix.
	Akhethetep-methetha	xviii.
	Akhethetep	xviii., xxvi.
	, Upemnefert	xix., xxvi.jt P. xxxiv.t
	Ptahsheps	xxvi.
	Akhethenem	xxvii.
	Thefu	xxvii.
	Imhetej)	xviii., xxvi.t
	Ptalihetep	XX., xxxiii.t
	I'tahneferkhuu	xxvii., P. xxxiii./>.
	Ptahhetep-adu	xxxii.
	Nefershemem	XX.
	Ptahhetep (son)	xxxi., xxvi., xxxiii.t
LJ 1	Ptahkekher	XX.

' An asterisk implies the additional title 'fl'; f that there is a slight variation. P. refers to the plates in liaiiiessi'iiiii, Egyptian Kesearch Account.

LIST OF THE OFFICIALS OF AKHBTHETEP,

29

Pli

]

1:

n

-J O •='

^

-mi^

+ ^^

■%^^_

■^

<e<

I

UP!

\^

^

Hershepses	xxxiii.
Seshemnefer	xxvii.
Kathesu	xxxiii.
Senb (?)	iv.tr.
Akhethetep (?)	xxxi., P. xxxvi.
Rekeh *	V.
Herunefer *	v., XXV.
Anpiihetep	XXX.
Akhetarna (?)	X.
Ptahhetep (son)	vi., ix., xviii., xx., xiii., xiv., xxxiii. f
Senezemal)	xxvi., xxxi.
Anpuneferuan	xxvi.
Ptaliankliav	xxvi.
Akhetuv (?)	v., cf. P. xxxv./*.
Akhethes	XXV.
Kanefer	xxxii.
Seshemnefer *	ix.
Kaemrehu *	xix., xxvii. t
Hershepses	xviii.
Unennefer	xviii.
Thefu	XX.
Ateta	xxxiii.
Anba	xxvi.
Unennefer	xix.
Heba *	xxxii.
Adu*	xxxii.
Sebekhetep	xi.
Ptahsabu	xi.
Seshemnefer	xxxiii.

30

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHETEP.

^® "= 1 i

171

(Xo title)

Ahauk	xxxiii.
Ptahhetep	V.
Bunefer	V.
Akhetarna	viii.jt xxvii.
lOinemenankh (?)	viii.
Akhethetep	XXV.
Akhethen	xxii., P. xxxvi.
Kaemthenent	V.
Thefu (?)	xxvii.
Akhetkhuna (?)	V.
Mehu
Akhethetep	xxvii., xxxii. (?)
Seshemnefer	xxiv., xiv.
Bakhuna	xxiv.
Rekeh (?)	XXV.
Shesthef	xxiv.
Kednes	XXV.
Seshemnefer-Maui	XXV.
Ptahhetep-Thefu	xxvi.
Thefu	xxvii.

With the great change in the properties held by Ptahhetep there would naturally be a corresponding change of serfs and officials. Of the fifty names in Ptahhetep's chapel, twenty-one are common to both records, but of these only six have the same titles. The official Seshemnefer-Thefu {BamcsseKvi, PI. xxxii.) may be either the Seshemnefer of Akhethetep or his son Thefu (PL xxiv.).

31

46. INDEX TO HIER(3GLYPHS IN THIS VOLUME WHICH ARE FIGURED

IN PART I.

Plate, Part 11.	No. of Hieroglyph,	Part I.	Plate, Part IT
V,	323.		xxii.
vi.	t;, 32, 84, 189, 225,	226, 230,	xxiii.
	331, 370.		xxiv.
vii.	105, 384.
viii.	19, 40, 67, 298.		XXV.
X.	102, 192, 240, 397.		xxvi.
xi.	186, 187, 215.		xxvii.
xiii.	5, 88, 89, 102, 372.		xxviii.
xvi.	152, 178, 20G, 213,	248, 260,
	304, 337, 407.		xxix.
xvii.	Milk vessel, PI. xvi.
xviii.	68, 238, 281, 326,	400, 401,	xxxii.
	404, 408, 409, 41(;		xxxiii.
xix.	168.		xxxiv.
XX.	78, 112, 283.

No. of Hieroglyph. Part I. 289.

124, 338.

33, 159, 256, 263, 269, 319,

345. 271, 320. 24, 181. 342, 354. 164, 221, 232, 387, 402, 403,

406, 411. 11, 116, 229, 241, 300, 339,

369, 395, 398. 16, 392.

46, 196, 272, 280. 126, 130, 346.

32

THE MA.STABA OF PTAHHETBP AND AKHETHETEP.

47. CROSS INDEX TO SAME FOR USE WITH PART I.

No. of Fig. Parti.	Plate, Part n.	Position.	No. of Pig. Part I.	Plate, P.art n.	Position.
5	xiii.	reg. 4.	190	xxxiii.	reg. 2.
6	vi.	col. 1, 2nd fig.	206	xvi.	2nd nome-sign.
11	xxix.	last col.	213	xvi.	5th name.
16	xxxii.	reo-. 2, last fiy.	215	xi.	lower row.
19	\iii.	reg. 1.	221	xxviii.	col. 1.
24	xxvi.	reg. 2.	225	vi.	col, 2.
32	vi.	col. 1.	226	vi.	son's titles.
?.3 .	xxiv.	list of offerings.	229	xxix.	col. 4.
40	viii.	reg. 2, fig. 1.	230	vi.	col. 2.
46	xxxiii.	reg. 1.	232	xxviii.	col. 2.
67	viii.	reg. 2.	238	xviii.	col. 3.
68	xviii.	. col. 1.	240	X.	lower row.
78	XX.	col. 1.	241	xxix.	col. 5.
84	vi.	son's title.	248	xvi.	1st name.
88 1 89 )	xiii.	reg. 3.	250 260	xxiv. xvi.	reg. 6. 2nd name.
102	X.	lower row.	263	xxiv.	list of offerings.
105	vii.	reg. 3.	269	xxiv.	list of offerings.
112	XX.	col. 1.	271	XXV.	reg, 1.
116	xxix.	col. 4.	272	xxxiii.	reg. 2.
124	xxiii.	reg. 3.	280	xxxiii.	reg. 2.
126	xxxiv.	under table.	281	xviii.	col. 1.
130	xxxiv.	under table.	283	XX.	son's titles.
134		Bamesseum, xxxiv.	289	xxii.	reg, 2.
152	xvi.	upper row.	298	viii.	reg. 1,
159	xxiv.	list of offerings.	800	xxix.	col. 0.
162	xiii.	reg. 4.	304	xvi.	upper row.
164	xxviii.	col. 3.	319	xxiv.	list of offerings
168	xix.	reg. 5.	320	XXV.	reg. 1.
178	xvi.	3rd nome-sign.	323	V.	reg. 1.
181	xxvi. ,	reg. 1.	326	xviii.	reg. 2.
186	xi.	reg. 2.	331	, vi.	col. 1.
187	xi.	reg. 1.	337	xvi.	2nd nome-sign.
189	vi.	col. 1.	338	xxiii.	reg, 2.
192	X.	2nd nome-sign.	339	xxix.	col, 3.

CROSS INDEX TO HIEKOGLYPHS.

3:5

No. of Fit.-. Part I.	Plate, Part 11.	Position		No. of F Part I.	g-	Plate, Part II.	Position
342	xxvii.	reg. 2.		400		xviii.	col. 4.
U5	xxiv.	list of ofterings.	401		xviii.	col. 5.
346	xxxiv.	list of ofterings.	402		xxviii.	col. 1.
354	xxvii.	reg. 1.		403		xxviii.	col. 1.
309	xxix.	col. (i.		404		xviii.	col. 4.
370	vi.	sou's title.		40G		xxviii.	col. 2.
372	xiii.	reg. 3.		407		xvi.	upper row
381	XX.	col. 3.		408		xviii.	col. 2.
384	vii.	reg. 3.		409		xviii.	col. 4.
387	xxviii.	col. 4.		410		xviii.	col. 3.
392	xxxii.	reg. 2.		411		xxviii.	col. 3
39.') 397	xxix. X.	col. 4. lower row.		vessel, VI xvi.		xvii.	reg. 2,
398	xxix.	col. 4.

34

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AND AKHETHBTEP.

48. NOTES ON THE PLATES.

Frontispiece. I am indebted for this photo- graph to the kindness of Chas. Lord, Esq., of Manchester. It is not from the original, but from a cast taken from a tin-foil squeeze. The head is that drawn on PI. vi.

Plate I. Plan. For the sake of appearance the outline of the mastaba is given in unbroken lines, although the outer walls were laid bare only at tlie entrance and corners, and in such other places as suggested irregularity or were specially easy of access. The outer (base) line is of course calculated fi'om the batter of the walls. The fallen stela, which formed the end wall of the T-chamber, has been restored (so in PL ii.). The coarser hatching represents rough walls. The remaining architraves of the pillared hall have been added for con- venience. At the N.W. corner the S. wall of the next mastaba is indicated,

Plate II. Sections, dc. The mastaba was probably somewhat higher, possibly much higher, than the minimum given here. The dotted line shows the depth of the excavation on the section. The pavement level was reached in the S. chapel and its antechamber, in the jDassage fi-om the W. chapel to the N. chamber, and in the corridor.

' I have myself prepared the whole of the drawings for the lithographer, in the hope of securing the greatest po.ssible accuracy for the reproductions.

Plate III. (1) The entrance to the mastaba. (2) Cattle on the tJiresMng-floor, from the W. wall of the corridor ; the finest work in the tomb. See PL viii.

Plate IV. Key-plate to the corridor walls, comprising Pis. v. to ix. on the W., and Pis. x. and xi. on the E. wall.

Plate V. The " servants of the hi " bring tlie produce of the marsh lands. The last six figures in the two lower registers are not moulded, but only roughly cut out round the ink design.

Plate VI. Tlie Vizier AliJiethetep and his son receiving offerings. The first four lines of Ptahhetep's titles are roughly cut.

Plate VII. Harvest scenes : reaping, carry- ing and ivinnoioing. The vertical column and

the third register are in ink only, work.

Coarser

Plate VIII, (1) Harvest scenes: threshing and stacliing. The vertical column and lower register are in ink only. Above the figures at either end only the first ass's head and the drove of cows are finished work, but the latter is about as perfect a piece of delicate sculpture in low relief as Egyptian art affords.

(2) Tlie fowler'' s net. Servants. Two ink designs. For their places see PL iv.

NOTES ON THE PLATES.

35

Plate IX. AJ^hrlbftep and his son iralchinr/ the hiii-resf, lahoiir. Only tlie two figures are finished. The rest is in ink.

Plate X. Women refresentinii the estates of the deeeased in seven 2^1'ovinces of Egypt (con- tinued on PL xi.). The figures are roughly cut and unmoulded. The ships above are the relics of a design in red ink. For the re- mainder see PI. iv.

Plate XI. Boijs and tetliered calves. Sforaije of wine. Roughly blocked out ; the extreme left in ink only.

Plate XII. (1) The ehapel of Akhethetejj. The photograph, taken from near point D on the plan (PL i.), shows the present ruin of the tomb, and the extent to which the stones, which are here seen encumbering the chamber, have been restored to their places in Pis, xxiv. and xxxiv.

(2) The N.IV. corner of the pillared hill, seen from the S.E. The doorway to the chapel (seen from the other side in the photo- graph above), the uncut pillar, and two of the three architrave stones which still remain undisturbed, are comprised. The photograph scarcely does justice to the marvel by which the broken stone remains in place, and even supports the weight of passers by above.

Plates XIII. and XIV. The labours of the marsh lands. The East wall, being now pro- tected by a roof only at its extreme ends, has suffered greatly in its upper parts. The scene above the doorway has been roughly restored by means of dotted lines. The work appears rough and the stone bad ; but as both rapidly improve towards the bottom and in protected parts, the inferior appearance is probably due mostly to weathering.

Plates XV. and XVI. rtohhelep receires thr tribute of the fandly estates, Sfc. (enlargement of scenes from the last plates). The ends of the lower register, being protected by the roof, retained a good deal of colour. The work in PL xvi. is excellent ; that in PL xv. much inferior.

Plate XVII. Farm-yard scenes : presenta- tion of ojferinijs. The Avail has suffered greatly from incrustation and damp. The figures to the right of the doorway are only preparatory designs in coloured inks. The dotted lines represent red lines laid down by the draughts- man to give him the prescribed proportions of the figures.

Plates XVIII. and XIX. Akhethetep, attended by his son and officials, inspects the tribute of antelopes. Some figures in the third and fourth registers have been left untouched by the sculptor. For the colouring of several hieroglyphs in the titles see Part I., PL xviii. The departure from the convention as to shading in these and Pis. xxii., xxiii. has no significance.

Plates XX. and XXI. Similar inspection of sacrificial cattle.

Plates XXII. and XXIII. Funeral cere- monies. Dragging shrines, and cutting up victims. A small hole reveals the position of the serdab.

Plate XXIV. Key-pbite of the N. Wall (including Pis. xxv.-xxvii.). The upper part of this wall is broken down in almost pre- cisely the same manner as the opposite wall {v. PL xii.). The inscriptions on four fallen stones are here replaced approximately in their original position, showing that the missing space contained offerings in four registers, the list of the same, and the titles of the deceased.

D 2

36

THE MASTABA OF PTAHHETEP AKD AKHETHETEP.

Plates XXV. to XXVII. Offiriah pre- senting (jifts (repetition on a larger scale from ]'l. XX iv.). Here and there the name of the official has not been cut, but remains in ink on a tablet of unsmik stone. The sculpture is very finely executed.

Platks XXVIII. AND XXIX. Remains of great monolithic stela (representing the door- way by which the spirit of the dead entered the room). It formed the end of the chamber (now overthrown). The upper half has been broken away, but the two fragments of it here shoAvn Avere found in the dehris. The mark of interrogation over the inscription on the lintel in PI. XX ix. applies only to the last three signs

of the word maat, which are now eifaced. I owe this rectification to the kindness of Dr. Schiifer, who visited the tomb in order to set my doubts at rest.

Plates XXX. to XXXIII. Officials present^ iiig gifts. (For relative position see PL xxxiv.) Here and there a name is only inscribed in red ink on the sunk background.

Plate XXXIV. Keij-plate of th,' S. Wat I (including the last four plates). The inscrip- tions on seven fallen stones are incorporated. The hieroglyphs are represented in solid black only for the sake of clearness.

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PLAN OF MASTABA.

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STEPS (Continued).

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^

X

CI

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