I have had so many people thank me for passing on details of Luxor Food, suppliers of pork in Luxor and I have just received an update from them.
DEAR CUSTOMER,
OUR FEBRUARY SPECIALS.
201304 HUNTERS SAUSAGE, JAGDWURST 250GR. NOT EP 51,-- BUT NOW ONLY EP 40,-- !!
202104 LYONER WITH RED PEPPER, 250GR. NOT EP 51,-- BUT NOW ONLY EP 40,-- !!
WE FROM LUXOR FOODS OUTLET ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HIGHER TEMPERATURES SO THE BBQ CAN START SIZZLING AGAIN. WE WILL COME UP WITH A MATCHING SPECIAL TO MAKE IT ALL UNFORGETTABLE.
WITH KIND REGARDS, FROM ALL OF US AT
LUXOR FOODS OUTLET.
Please email luxor.foods@gmail.com for full details
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Monday, 30 January 2012
Paula Veiga - What science and history can learn from human remains.
Paula Veiga - What science and history can learn from human remains.
Paula presented her paper in an academic style, challenging for the non academic audience but it was a paper full of interest. I have extracted bullet points from the paper which I have a hard copy of.
• There are international guidelines for the handling of human remains
• Mummy investigation started in the 1800 with public unwrapping
• Today the latest non invasive techniques are used to investigate such as CT Scanning complimented by other techniques histology, serology, radiology7 aDNA research, osteology and other paleopathology techniques chemistry, isotope and carbon test finally macroscopic examination
• Radiology started to be used in 1895
• From ancient bodies we can learn
o Diet (plant remains)
o Diseases (what is a modern disease caused by pollutants)
o Causes of death
o Crop failure
o Climate changes
o Bacteria
o Animal wounds
o Trauma (battle wounds)
o Genetic diseases
o Parasitic infestation e.g. lice, Nile worms
• Ancient plant remains give us clues about ancient medical treatment
o Can this be used for modern treatment
o Development of modern drugs
o Can be grown from ancient seed and DNA comparison made (In Jerusalem they have grown a date palm from a 2000 year old seed)
• Human remains need to preserved and carefully handled
• Investigation can be restricted by location or finances
• Mummification consisted of
o Physical preservation
o Religious rites
• During mummification flies can lay eggs, mould can develop and the mummification can be poorly done all leading to decay
• Damage done to the body can be
o Ante mortem(before death)
o Peri Mortem (At the moment of death)
o Post Mortem(after death)
• Damage can be caused by
o Trauma at death
o Robbery
o Animal scavenging
• The skin is black which gave the name mummia after the Arabic word for bitumen caused by the mummification process and the use of resins after mummification
• Some small parts of the body go missing like fingers and toes
• Most mummies come from New Kingdom onwards making investigation of Old Kingdom and Middle kingdom mummies restricted.
• DNA
o Certain mummification techniques impair the retrieval of DNA
o Preliminary results are given firm conclusion status by the media
o DNA decomposes with time
o Contamination from handling, storage etc
• Endoscope and microscope analysis is very useful
• Coffins don’t always fit bodies resulting in damage to the skeleton
• Analysis of the foetus in Tutankhamen’s tomb could resolve their parentage and relationship to each other
• DNA analysis of the mould in Tutankhamen’s walls paintings revealed that it was ancient growth now dead not modern contamination
• Prosthetics were used in both life and death
o To replace missing parts of the body
o Toe prosthetic proved to be used in life
• Hair extensions and hair dressing was practised on mummies
• Adolescent pregnancy is found
• Diseases found
o Calcification of the aorta in meat eating high status individuals
o Arteriosclerosis
o Atheroma
o Fibrosis
o Aneurysms
o Damage to bones from carrying heavy loads, battles, horse riding, boat accidents or sport
o Nutritional stress
o Osteomyelitis
• The Nile is the cause of many diseases
• Tuberculosis
• Dental disease was extensive
• Tutankhamen and his relatives had malaria
• Storage in museums is harming mummies because of increased humidity
• Covering Human mummies is still controversial
• Paula is currently studying the link between Osiris and plants
As an aside there is a news paper report about the discovery of prostate cancer in a mummy which casts doubt that it is a modern disease
Paula presented her paper in an academic style, challenging for the non academic audience but it was a paper full of interest. I have extracted bullet points from the paper which I have a hard copy of.
• There are international guidelines for the handling of human remains
• Mummy investigation started in the 1800 with public unwrapping
• Today the latest non invasive techniques are used to investigate such as CT Scanning complimented by other techniques histology, serology, radiology7 aDNA research, osteology and other paleopathology techniques chemistry, isotope and carbon test finally macroscopic examination
• Radiology started to be used in 1895
• From ancient bodies we can learn
o Diet (plant remains)
o Diseases (what is a modern disease caused by pollutants)
o Causes of death
o Crop failure
o Climate changes
o Bacteria
o Animal wounds
o Trauma (battle wounds)
o Genetic diseases
o Parasitic infestation e.g. lice, Nile worms
• Ancient plant remains give us clues about ancient medical treatment
o Can this be used for modern treatment
o Development of modern drugs
o Can be grown from ancient seed and DNA comparison made (In Jerusalem they have grown a date palm from a 2000 year old seed)
• Human remains need to preserved and carefully handled
• Investigation can be restricted by location or finances
• Mummification consisted of
o Physical preservation
o Religious rites
• During mummification flies can lay eggs, mould can develop and the mummification can be poorly done all leading to decay
• Damage done to the body can be
o Ante mortem(before death)
o Peri Mortem (At the moment of death)
o Post Mortem(after death)
• Damage can be caused by
o Trauma at death
o Robbery
o Animal scavenging
• The skin is black which gave the name mummia after the Arabic word for bitumen caused by the mummification process and the use of resins after mummification
• Some small parts of the body go missing like fingers and toes
• Most mummies come from New Kingdom onwards making investigation of Old Kingdom and Middle kingdom mummies restricted.
• DNA
o Certain mummification techniques impair the retrieval of DNA
o Preliminary results are given firm conclusion status by the media
o DNA decomposes with time
o Contamination from handling, storage etc
• Endoscope and microscope analysis is very useful
• Coffins don’t always fit bodies resulting in damage to the skeleton
• Analysis of the foetus in Tutankhamen’s tomb could resolve their parentage and relationship to each other
• DNA analysis of the mould in Tutankhamen’s walls paintings revealed that it was ancient growth now dead not modern contamination
• Prosthetics were used in both life and death
o To replace missing parts of the body
o Toe prosthetic proved to be used in life
• Hair extensions and hair dressing was practised on mummies
• Adolescent pregnancy is found
• Diseases found
o Calcification of the aorta in meat eating high status individuals
o Arteriosclerosis
o Atheroma
o Fibrosis
o Aneurysms
o Damage to bones from carrying heavy loads, battles, horse riding, boat accidents or sport
o Nutritional stress
o Osteomyelitis
• The Nile is the cause of many diseases
• Tuberculosis
• Dental disease was extensive
• Tutankhamen and his relatives had malaria
• Storage in museums is harming mummies because of increased humidity
• Covering Human mummies is still controversial
• Paula is currently studying the link between Osiris and plants
As an aside there is a news paper report about the discovery of prostate cancer in a mummy which casts doubt that it is a modern disease
Paula Veiga - What science and history can learn from human remains.
Paula Veiga - What science and history can learn from human remains.
Paula presented her paper in an academic style, challenging for the non academic audience but it was a paper full of interest. I have extracted bullet points from the paper which I have a hard copy of.
• There are international guidelines for the handling of human remains
• Mummy investigation started in the 1800 with public unwrapping
• Today the latest non invasive techniques are used to investigate such as CT Scanning complimented by other techniques histology, serology, radiology7 aDNA research, osteology and other paleopathology techniques chemistry, isotope and carbon test finally macroscopic examination
• Radiology started to be used in 1895
• From ancient bodies we can learn
o Diet (plant remains)
o Diseases (what is a modern disease caused by pollutants)
o Causes of death
o Crop failure
o Climate changes
o Bacteria
o Animal wounds
o Trauma (battle wounds)
o Genetic diseases
o Parasitic infestation e.g. lice, Nile worms
• Ancient plant remains give us clues about ancient medical treatment
o Can this be used for modern treatment
o Development of modern drugs
o Can be grown from ancient seed and DNA comparison made (In Jerusalem they have grown a date palm from a 2000 year old seed)
• Human remains need to preserved and carefully handled
• Investigation can be restricted by location or finances
• Mummification consisted of
o Physical preservation
o Religious rites
• During mummification flies can lay eggs, mould can develop and the mummification can be poorly done all leading to decay
• Damage done to the body can be
o Ante mortem(before death)
o Peri Mortem (At the moment of death)
o Post Mortem(after death)
• Damage can be caused by
o Trauma at death
o Robbery
o Animal scavenging
• The skin is black which gave the name mummia after the Arabic word for bitumen caused by the mummification process and the use of resins after mummification
• Some small parts of the body go missing like fingers and toes
• Most mummies come from New Kingdom onwards making investigation of Old Kingdom and Middle kingdom mummies restricted.
• DNA
o Certain mummification techniques impair the retrieval of DNA
o Preliminary results are given firm conclusion status by the media
o DNA decomposes with time
o Contamination from handling, storage etc
• Endoscope and microscope analysis is very useful
• Coffins don’t always fit bodies resulting in damage to the skeleton
• Analysis of the foetus in Tutankhamen’s tomb could resolve their parentage and relationship to each other
• DNA analysis of the mould in Tutankhamen’s walls paintings revealed that it was ancient growth now dead not modern contamination
• Prosthetics were used in both life and death
o To replace missing parts of the body
o Toe prosthetic proved to be used in life
• Hair extensions and hair dressing was practised on mummies
• Adolescent pregnancy is found
• Diseases found
o Calcification of the aorta in meat eating high status individuals
o Arteriosclerosis
o Atheroma
o Fibrosis
o Aneurysms
o Damage to bones from carrying heavy loads, battles, horse riding, boat accidents or sport
o Nutritional stress
o Osteomyelitis
• The Nile is the cause of many diseases
• Tuberculosis
• Dental disease was extensive
• Tutankhamen and his relatives had malaria
• Storage in museums is harming mummies because of increased humidity
• Covering Human mummies is still controversial
• Paula is currently studying the link between Osiris and plants
As an aside there is a news paper report about the discovery of prostate cancer in a mummy which casts doubt that it is a modern disease
Paula presented her paper in an academic style, challenging for the non academic audience but it was a paper full of interest. I have extracted bullet points from the paper which I have a hard copy of.
• There are international guidelines for the handling of human remains
• Mummy investigation started in the 1800 with public unwrapping
• Today the latest non invasive techniques are used to investigate such as CT Scanning complimented by other techniques histology, serology, radiology7 aDNA research, osteology and other paleopathology techniques chemistry, isotope and carbon test finally macroscopic examination
• Radiology started to be used in 1895
• From ancient bodies we can learn
o Diet (plant remains)
o Diseases (what is a modern disease caused by pollutants)
o Causes of death
o Crop failure
o Climate changes
o Bacteria
o Animal wounds
o Trauma (battle wounds)
o Genetic diseases
o Parasitic infestation e.g. lice, Nile worms
• Ancient plant remains give us clues about ancient medical treatment
o Can this be used for modern treatment
o Development of modern drugs
o Can be grown from ancient seed and DNA comparison made (In Jerusalem they have grown a date palm from a 2000 year old seed)
• Human remains need to preserved and carefully handled
• Investigation can be restricted by location or finances
• Mummification consisted of
o Physical preservation
o Religious rites
• During mummification flies can lay eggs, mould can develop and the mummification can be poorly done all leading to decay
• Damage done to the body can be
o Ante mortem(before death)
o Peri Mortem (At the moment of death)
o Post Mortem(after death)
• Damage can be caused by
o Trauma at death
o Robbery
o Animal scavenging
• The skin is black which gave the name mummia after the Arabic word for bitumen caused by the mummification process and the use of resins after mummification
• Some small parts of the body go missing like fingers and toes
• Most mummies come from New Kingdom onwards making investigation of Old Kingdom and Middle kingdom mummies restricted.
• DNA
o Certain mummification techniques impair the retrieval of DNA
o Preliminary results are given firm conclusion status by the media
o DNA decomposes with time
o Contamination from handling, storage etc
• Endoscope and microscope analysis is very useful
• Coffins don’t always fit bodies resulting in damage to the skeleton
• Analysis of the foetus in Tutankhamen’s tomb could resolve their parentage and relationship to each other
• DNA analysis of the mould in Tutankhamen’s walls paintings revealed that it was ancient growth now dead not modern contamination
• Prosthetics were used in both life and death
o To replace missing parts of the body
o Toe prosthetic proved to be used in life
• Hair extensions and hair dressing was practised on mummies
• Adolescent pregnancy is found
• Diseases found
o Calcification of the aorta in meat eating high status individuals
o Arteriosclerosis
o Atheroma
o Fibrosis
o Aneurysms
o Damage to bones from carrying heavy loads, battles, horse riding, boat accidents or sport
o Nutritional stress
o Osteomyelitis
• The Nile is the cause of many diseases
• Tuberculosis
• Dental disease was extensive
• Tutankhamen and his relatives had malaria
• Storage in museums is harming mummies because of increased humidity
• Covering Human mummies is still controversial
• Paula is currently studying the link between Osiris and plants
As an aside there is a news paper report about the discovery of prostate cancer in a mummy which casts doubt that it is a modern disease
No #easyjet flights to Luxor July/August
Finally, finally got customer services to tell me the truth.
"I understand that you are not satisfied with the previous responses sent. I can sense your disappointment at the fact that you are not able to get an answer whether we would fly from Luxor to Gatwick in July/August 2012 or not.
Having checked the details, I can confirm that we are flying from Luxor to Gatwick but are not scheduled to fly in July or August 2012. However, the flights would be available again from September 2012. You can check our timetable section link below to get more information on the dates on which we are flying on this route"
Saturday, 28 January 2012
José Manuel Galán TT12 Hery
José Manuel Galán TT12 Hery
Although the majority of their work has been on the tomb of Djehuty TT11 they also have the concession to other tombs as these are interconnected. Tonight Jose told us about TT12
This link from their website shows the tombs and their connections http://www.excavacionegipto.com/campana/images/03campana1.jpg they do have an English version of the website http://www.excavacionegipto.com/campana/campana11_ing.jsp.htm with excavation reports images and lots of background which I encourage you to have a look at.
They have been 10 years at Dra Abu Naga which is right in front of Karnak across the river. The sun rises between the obelisks at Karnak to set behind the hills at Dra Abu Naga. The area is very important in connection with the Beautiful Feast of the Valley as this was the first area they came to after leaving Karnak. It was the site of a lot of burials in both Middle kingdom and early 18th Dynasty
Their tombs are in order from south to north they are
• TT11 is the tomb of Djehuty a high official under Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis II
• TT399 is also early 18th dynasty but it is poor rock so was plastered so less information remains
• TT12 is Hery who was some 50 years earlier under Ahmose and Amenhotep I
• Baki
Above Baki there is another early 18th dynasty tomb. There is a 34 meter courtyard in front and the four tombs run almost parallel with the transverse hall of the T shaped tombs being broken to connect with the next door tomb, which is why their concession includes all the tombs.
Back in 2002 when they started they could only see the entrance to TT11 and to get to the other tombs they had to go through the connecting passage. They were not the first people in the tomb
Champollion 1829 reached the corridor of TT12 and he describes going through a cavern to reach it, which is Baki. Found the door jambs of Baki in the courtyard. TT12 does not have a transverse hall and is built more in the style of the Middle kingdom tombs and could even be the reuse of an earlier tomb. Champollion only saw the corridor. In his notes he notes the hieroglyphics and says they are like El Kab. He travelled with Roselline who also had a note book and copied the inscription.
He is described as scribe, butler, overseer of the double granaries of Ahotep royal wife and king’s mother but these titles don’t reflect his importance as he was born of the lady of the house Kheru of king Ahmes. This is the only example of this title and we don’t know what it means. But the reason he had such a tomb in such a place is because of his relationship through his mother.
Northern Wall
Very damaged but they have found fragments as well. There are fish and fowling scenes, probably two separate scenes and underneath the sailing to Abydos. Moving inwards there are offering bearers and the funerary banquet and hunting in the desert fringes. The relief is high quality reflect his importance and influence.
Southern Wall
The upper inscription is the one Champollion copied; the cracks are filled with mortar. There is the funerary procession and funerary banquet. Of the three registers the middle one is crossing the river, the upper dragging the mummy to the necropolis and the lower shows various gods, the hereafter and Osiris and Anubis.
Hery had an anthropoid coffin and this is the first example, the procession shows 4 mu dancers. In the lower register Anubis is shown much larger than Osiris. Their plan is to restore the fragments in situ.
Sadly there were a number of robberies and scenes taken from the tomb, a lot from the funerary banquet scenes. These robberies took place at the end of 19th beginning of 29th centenary in 1909 the tomb was protected by a wall.
Lepsius also visited the tomb in 1844 and copied the inscriptions but 15 years later the name of Heir and his sisters had gone. An unpublished diary from 1844 in Berlin has the full list.
In 1896 Spielberg did some squeezes which have ended up at the Griffiths, they have made drawings of these squeezes and there is lots more information.
Hery is shown with his mother which fits in with the idea of her importance but it means his wife gets squeezed out, his son Ahmes and his daughter are shown carrying sacks of natron. His father is not shown. There is a circular composition to the participants and the dead are on one side to the living. This is like the Stela of Aamtju MMA 19.3.32 http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/100002092?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=19.3.32&pos=1
Two women, his sisters are shown seated on chairs Senet Nefer had a different mother followed by three brothers one has a nickname related to the expulsion of the Hyskos.
Of the missing pieces some have been found in collections one piece was donated to the Met in 1970 from a couple who were on honeymoon in Egypt in 1904 and another found in the Petrie UC14549. He has sent out a request using JEA to all museums to check their collections based on the squeezes.
It was thought that the inner chamber was not decorated originally but they have found a frame line but that is all.
In 2010 they found a shaft and have excavated 4m down so far the rest will have to wait until next. In the connection between this tomb and Baki they have found a lot of Demotic graffiti, this is in the process of being studied, it refers to a door and burial place which link to a place under Baki.
Although the majority of their work has been on the tomb of Djehuty TT11 they also have the concession to other tombs as these are interconnected. Tonight Jose told us about TT12
This link from their website shows the tombs and their connections http://www.excavacionegipto.com/campana/images/03campana1.jpg they do have an English version of the website http://www.excavacionegipto.com/campana/campana11_ing.jsp.htm with excavation reports images and lots of background which I encourage you to have a look at.
They have been 10 years at Dra Abu Naga which is right in front of Karnak across the river. The sun rises between the obelisks at Karnak to set behind the hills at Dra Abu Naga. The area is very important in connection with the Beautiful Feast of the Valley as this was the first area they came to after leaving Karnak. It was the site of a lot of burials in both Middle kingdom and early 18th Dynasty
Their tombs are in order from south to north they are
• TT11 is the tomb of Djehuty a high official under Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis II
• TT399 is also early 18th dynasty but it is poor rock so was plastered so less information remains
• TT12 is Hery who was some 50 years earlier under Ahmose and Amenhotep I
• Baki
Above Baki there is another early 18th dynasty tomb. There is a 34 meter courtyard in front and the four tombs run almost parallel with the transverse hall of the T shaped tombs being broken to connect with the next door tomb, which is why their concession includes all the tombs.
Back in 2002 when they started they could only see the entrance to TT11 and to get to the other tombs they had to go through the connecting passage. They were not the first people in the tomb
Champollion 1829 reached the corridor of TT12 and he describes going through a cavern to reach it, which is Baki. Found the door jambs of Baki in the courtyard. TT12 does not have a transverse hall and is built more in the style of the Middle kingdom tombs and could even be the reuse of an earlier tomb. Champollion only saw the corridor. In his notes he notes the hieroglyphics and says they are like El Kab. He travelled with Roselline who also had a note book and copied the inscription.
He is described as scribe, butler, overseer of the double granaries of Ahotep royal wife and king’s mother but these titles don’t reflect his importance as he was born of the lady of the house Kheru of king Ahmes. This is the only example of this title and we don’t know what it means. But the reason he had such a tomb in such a place is because of his relationship through his mother.
Northern Wall
Very damaged but they have found fragments as well. There are fish and fowling scenes, probably two separate scenes and underneath the sailing to Abydos. Moving inwards there are offering bearers and the funerary banquet and hunting in the desert fringes. The relief is high quality reflect his importance and influence.
Southern Wall
The upper inscription is the one Champollion copied; the cracks are filled with mortar. There is the funerary procession and funerary banquet. Of the three registers the middle one is crossing the river, the upper dragging the mummy to the necropolis and the lower shows various gods, the hereafter and Osiris and Anubis.
Hery had an anthropoid coffin and this is the first example, the procession shows 4 mu dancers. In the lower register Anubis is shown much larger than Osiris. Their plan is to restore the fragments in situ.
Sadly there were a number of robberies and scenes taken from the tomb, a lot from the funerary banquet scenes. These robberies took place at the end of 19th beginning of 29th centenary in 1909 the tomb was protected by a wall.
Lepsius also visited the tomb in 1844 and copied the inscriptions but 15 years later the name of Heir and his sisters had gone. An unpublished diary from 1844 in Berlin has the full list.
In 1896 Spielberg did some squeezes which have ended up at the Griffiths, they have made drawings of these squeezes and there is lots more information.
Hery is shown with his mother which fits in with the idea of her importance but it means his wife gets squeezed out, his son Ahmes and his daughter are shown carrying sacks of natron. His father is not shown. There is a circular composition to the participants and the dead are on one side to the living. This is like the Stela of Aamtju MMA 19.3.32 http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/100002092?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=19.3.32&pos=1
Two women, his sisters are shown seated on chairs Senet Nefer had a different mother followed by three brothers one has a nickname related to the expulsion of the Hyskos.
Of the missing pieces some have been found in collections one piece was donated to the Met in 1970 from a couple who were on honeymoon in Egypt in 1904 and another found in the Petrie UC14549. He has sent out a request using JEA to all museums to check their collections based on the squeezes.
It was thought that the inner chamber was not decorated originally but they have found a frame line but that is all.
In 2010 they found a shaft and have excavated 4m down so far the rest will have to wait until next. In the connection between this tomb and Baki they have found a lot of Demotic graffiti, this is in the process of being studied, it refers to a door and burial place which link to a place under Baki.
Friday, 27 January 2012
Video of the opening of the coffin of KV64 #egypt #luxor
I just love the way the University of Basel is handling PR, now they have released a video of the opening of the coffin. Basler Forscher entdecken Mumie - Tagesschau - Schweizer Fernsehen: SF Videoportal: - Sent using Google Toolbar
Luxor Marathon 2012
It is Luxor's marathon today and we have 8 runners staying with us: Korean, American, Canadian, British and Irish - very international. Some are doing the short run and others the full marathon. Ice packs at the ready when they get back!!!
Thursday, 26 January 2012
1st Anniversary of 25th January
Last night the Governor of Luxor Dr Ezaat Saad hosted a wonderful celebration of the anniversary of the revolution. It was a mixture of song, dance and recitals together with speeches and the honouring of the martyrs and relatives of the martyrs. It started with a march from the library to the conference centre of children dressed up as ancient Egyptians and carrying flags of the various places around Luxor. An enormous flag was laid out in the road the whole length of the street.
The celebration started with the Egyptian national anthem followed by an iconic slide show. Here is a copy
the roar of crowd when the announcement of Mubarak’s resignation was shown was spine chilling. There is a small demonstration where some young men held up homemade placards and chanted anti SCAF slogans but it was completely peaceful and handled without trouble. So different from the past. Then it was on to the entertainment. The music was reminiscent of Um Kalthoum and the singers were lovely. I enjoyed the Upper Egyptian Folklore Dancing, the AK47 dance was unusual to western eyes but the use of guns in celebrations is very Arab.
The governor presented medals to those that had been hurt during the revolution and the families of those who died. That was really moving as some of them could not make it on stage and the he had to go down to them.
I have done a video which is a mixture of photos I took and clips from videos that are on my channel
If you want to see all the videos full length they are here.
This clip has to be the most unusual showing a dance with AK47s!!!!
Monday, 23 January 2012
Object Biography #1: A vessel naming Nesi-khonsu (Acc. no. 6736) « Egypt at the Manchester Museum
A blog worth following from Manchester Museum. Object Biography #1: A vessel naming Nesi-khonsu (Acc. no. 6736) « Egypt at the Manchester Museum: Each month I hope to highlight an individual object that will feature in our new Ancient Worlds galleries. Many of the objects in the collection have incredible stories behind them but, due to an inevitable lack of space, these cannot be included fully in gallery labels or text panels. We aim to tell some of these stories – or “object biographies” – in digital content to accompany the new displays.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
- Sent using Google Toolbar
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Artefacts and Early Archaeologists in the Valley of Kings
Artefacts and Early Archaeologists in the Valley of Kings – Donald Ryan
Or what they left behind
There is a cycle in the Valley of Kings of burial (sometimes reburial) and robbery ancient and modern. There are mummy caches with dockets recording the movement from one safe place to another. There is one artefact that he feels sums up the whole valley which is of the remnants of the face piece where the wooden remains clearly show the marks of the adze that removed the gold.
The archaeologists of the past were interested in different things, gold and treasure mainly so often when they found a tomb they would describe it as having nothing of interest because it ‘only’ held mummies and pottery, consequently they left a lot behind in the tombs they excavated
KV21
Belzoni was the first excavator of KV21 in 1817, say what you will about him although he took a lot of stuff away he also spent time documenting, mapping and publishing. He described the tomb as rob with 2 mummies who had a lot of hair. By 1825 James Burton also said there were two mummies but they were now in the small room. In 1826 Edward Lane also worked on the tomb and that was it until Don Ryan came 1989. By then the tomb was in a depression that had a trench dug in they found newspaper and debris dating back to 1893. The tomb was filled with 2 inches of standing water and had graffiti. They found a dozen large pots which had originally contained left over embalming materials. There were also seals and other detritus. Belzoni had left the stuff inside the tomb but now the mummies were scattered in pieces all over the tomb which was badly flood damaged. One mummy was missing its head. In 2007 the mummies were removed to Cairo for the DNA studies which were hardly necessarily as the pottery dated the tomb to Tuthmosis IV so they were unlikely to be members of the Amarna royal family.
KV44 & 45
These were excavated by Carter when he was working for Davies. In Kv44 there were 3 wooden coffins with mummies. It was reused in the 22nd dynasty. One of the coffins was published but the other two have been lost. There are still some original pieces in the tomb. KV45 has a similar history of an original 18th dynasty burial with a 22nd dynasty reuse. There is one single photo of the original tomb opening. In those days it was legitimate for the early excavators to take part of the discoveries for their sponsors, museums and then selves. From this tomb there was a heart shaped scarab and face plate which Don last identified in an auction house catalogue. He found lots of fragments including the remnants of 80 mud ushabties as Howard Carter had left loads of stuff behind. Three canopic jars are in the Emery museum and parts of the 4th found in KV27 which would indicate they were moved long time previously.
Of the material left in the tomb that they were not interested in were 18 sets of mummies 1 had an articulated left arm which is generally thought to be an indicator of a female royal burial. In a book edited by Kent Weeks an article by Catherine Roehrig discusses whether this was a queen’s tomb
Of the tombs excavated
Adults Adolescents Children
KV27 2m 2f 1 - 2
KV28 2m1f
KV44 3f 1 teen 1 child 8 infants
KV45 18th dyn 1m2f
KV45 22nd dyn 1m1f
KV60
Discovered in 1903 by Howard Carter he said he found 2 women and some mummified geese but ‘nothing of interest’. One has been identified as SitRe nurse of Hatshepsut. Aryton removed 1 mummy in its coffin. There was graffiti, 2 niches containing the face portion form coffin lid. In his drawing of the tomb HC left out the little room which was surprising. There was a mummified cow leg and evidence of a possible intrusive burial. The ‘geese’ were in fact joints of beef. In the 20th dynasty when they were building the tomb above they must have cut across this tomb and discovered. There is a second mummy with a bent left arm. Elizabeth Thomas thought that KV60 would contain Hatshepsut but nothing actually indicates who it is. In 2006 Zahi came to conclusion that it was Hatshepsut based of evidence of the tooth missing from the mummy and an identical tooth being found, by CAT scan, in a box labelled Hatshepsut. This was only published on the TV. Don likens it to the fairy story of the discovery of Cinderella using the glass slipper. Before giving his conclusions on the discovery he would like to see a bit more. The face piece has a notch for a beard. Another piece was found covered in black stuff, cleaning revealed lots of glyphs that talk about a woman called Ti who was a temple singer, so a third woman associated with the tomb. In the old days they were looking for big decorated tombs with high value contents.
KV48
Found in 1906by Edward Aryton and described in the publication of the tomb of Siptah. It was rediscovered in 1986 by Kent Weeks. Lots of big pots, linen and natron. Hieratic inscribed copper tenons, seals, beads. Amenenope who was a vizier under Amenhotep II. They were able to stylistically date pottery. Also found a miniature leopard skin maybe used to drape over a statue of a sen priests
Or what they left behind
There is a cycle in the Valley of Kings of burial (sometimes reburial) and robbery ancient and modern. There are mummy caches with dockets recording the movement from one safe place to another. There is one artefact that he feels sums up the whole valley which is of the remnants of the face piece where the wooden remains clearly show the marks of the adze that removed the gold.
The archaeologists of the past were interested in different things, gold and treasure mainly so often when they found a tomb they would describe it as having nothing of interest because it ‘only’ held mummies and pottery, consequently they left a lot behind in the tombs they excavated
KV21
Belzoni was the first excavator of KV21 in 1817, say what you will about him although he took a lot of stuff away he also spent time documenting, mapping and publishing. He described the tomb as rob with 2 mummies who had a lot of hair. By 1825 James Burton also said there were two mummies but they were now in the small room. In 1826 Edward Lane also worked on the tomb and that was it until Don Ryan came 1989. By then the tomb was in a depression that had a trench dug in they found newspaper and debris dating back to 1893. The tomb was filled with 2 inches of standing water and had graffiti. They found a dozen large pots which had originally contained left over embalming materials. There were also seals and other detritus. Belzoni had left the stuff inside the tomb but now the mummies were scattered in pieces all over the tomb which was badly flood damaged. One mummy was missing its head. In 2007 the mummies were removed to Cairo for the DNA studies which were hardly necessarily as the pottery dated the tomb to Tuthmosis IV so they were unlikely to be members of the Amarna royal family.
KV44 & 45
These were excavated by Carter when he was working for Davies. In Kv44 there were 3 wooden coffins with mummies. It was reused in the 22nd dynasty. One of the coffins was published but the other two have been lost. There are still some original pieces in the tomb. KV45 has a similar history of an original 18th dynasty burial with a 22nd dynasty reuse. There is one single photo of the original tomb opening. In those days it was legitimate for the early excavators to take part of the discoveries for their sponsors, museums and then selves. From this tomb there was a heart shaped scarab and face plate which Don last identified in an auction house catalogue. He found lots of fragments including the remnants of 80 mud ushabties as Howard Carter had left loads of stuff behind. Three canopic jars are in the Emery museum and parts of the 4th found in KV27 which would indicate they were moved long time previously.
Of the material left in the tomb that they were not interested in were 18 sets of mummies 1 had an articulated left arm which is generally thought to be an indicator of a female royal burial. In a book edited by Kent Weeks an article by Catherine Roehrig discusses whether this was a queen’s tomb
Of the tombs excavated
Adults Adolescents Children
KV27 2m 2f 1 - 2
KV28 2m1f
KV44 3f 1 teen 1 child 8 infants
KV45 18th dyn 1m2f
KV45 22nd dyn 1m1f
KV60
Discovered in 1903 by Howard Carter he said he found 2 women and some mummified geese but ‘nothing of interest’. One has been identified as SitRe nurse of Hatshepsut. Aryton removed 1 mummy in its coffin. There was graffiti, 2 niches containing the face portion form coffin lid. In his drawing of the tomb HC left out the little room which was surprising. There was a mummified cow leg and evidence of a possible intrusive burial. The ‘geese’ were in fact joints of beef. In the 20th dynasty when they were building the tomb above they must have cut across this tomb and discovered. There is a second mummy with a bent left arm. Elizabeth Thomas thought that KV60 would contain Hatshepsut but nothing actually indicates who it is. In 2006 Zahi came to conclusion that it was Hatshepsut based of evidence of the tooth missing from the mummy and an identical tooth being found, by CAT scan, in a box labelled Hatshepsut. This was only published on the TV. Don likens it to the fairy story of the discovery of Cinderella using the glass slipper. Before giving his conclusions on the discovery he would like to see a bit more. The face piece has a notch for a beard. Another piece was found covered in black stuff, cleaning revealed lots of glyphs that talk about a woman called Ti who was a temple singer, so a third woman associated with the tomb. In the old days they were looking for big decorated tombs with high value contents.
KV48
Found in 1906by Edward Aryton and described in the publication of the tomb of Siptah. It was rediscovered in 1986 by Kent Weeks. Lots of big pots, linen and natron. Hieratic inscribed copper tenons, seals, beads. Amenenope who was a vizier under Amenhotep II. They were able to stylistically date pottery. Also found a miniature leopard skin maybe used to drape over a statue of a sen priests
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
KV64 Ägyptologisches Seminar: Report 2012
Well done to the team from Basel for publishing this short preliminary report on the tomb. A blessing for all of us gagging for proper information. Ägyptologisches Seminar: Report 2012: Short Preliminary Report January 2012
Discovery of a new tomb in the Valley of the Kings, KV 64
January 16, 2012
During the season of 2011, three edges of an unknown manmade feature appeared at 1.80m to the north of KV 40, on the 25th of January, the first day of the Egyptian revolution. Due to the situation, it was immediately covered with an iron door.
As this structure is so close to KV 40 and as it was impossible to know whether it was just a short unfinished shaft or a real tomb, we gave it the temporary number 40b. This number is now replaced by the final designation KV 64. The KV numbers should definitely be used exclusively for real tombs or deposits and not for possible cavities and yet unascertained structures.
This season, work was resumed on January 8th. With the permission of the Ministry of State of Antiquities we started to work on the unknown structure.
It soon turned out to be a rock-cut tomb of the 18th dynasty, 15th century BCE. In the shaft the upper edge of the door appeared at a depth of about 2.5m. The shaft measures approximately 1.10m by 1.60m. Its fill showed no evidence of being affected by flood water.
In the blocking of the entrance, two stages of use could be observed. Large stones in front and over the entrance belong to a secondary occupation. Of the primary phase dating to the 18th dynasty, some 0.50cm of the plaster seal of the entrance and a Nile silt flower pot with remnants of this plaster remain on the floor of the shaft.
The tomb has a single chamber of approx. 4m (north – south) by 2.4m (east-west). The room was filled with debris to about 0.8m under the ceiling.
On the left (north) side of the chamber, a black wooden coffin lies upon the thick layer of debris. On its sides, large yellow hieroglyphs are painted. Traces of yellow decoration are visible under the dust on its upper side. Next to the feet of the coffin stands a small, wooden stelae (27.5 x 22.5 x 2cm) with very bright colours. The type of stelae and coffin clearly indicate to the 22nd dynasty, 9th century BCE. It is one of the very few burials of this period in Thebes that can be observed with its objects still in their original position.
From the texts on the stelae and on the coffin, it appears that the burial belongs to a lady who was a chantress of Amun, called Nehemes-Bastet. Her father was a priest in Karnak.
The coffin is in good condition and contains the intact, carefully wrapped mummy of the lady, who measured about 1.55m. Conservation work is currently carried out before transportation to a magazine.
Pottery and fragments of wood point to the existence of a burial of the 18th dynasty underneath the layer of debris, which has yet to be cleared.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
Discovery of a new tomb in the Valley of the Kings, KV 64
January 16, 2012
During the season of 2011, three edges of an unknown manmade feature appeared at 1.80m to the north of KV 40, on the 25th of January, the first day of the Egyptian revolution. Due to the situation, it was immediately covered with an iron door.
As this structure is so close to KV 40 and as it was impossible to know whether it was just a short unfinished shaft or a real tomb, we gave it the temporary number 40b. This number is now replaced by the final designation KV 64. The KV numbers should definitely be used exclusively for real tombs or deposits and not for possible cavities and yet unascertained structures.
This season, work was resumed on January 8th. With the permission of the Ministry of State of Antiquities we started to work on the unknown structure.
It soon turned out to be a rock-cut tomb of the 18th dynasty, 15th century BCE. In the shaft the upper edge of the door appeared at a depth of about 2.5m. The shaft measures approximately 1.10m by 1.60m. Its fill showed no evidence of being affected by flood water.
In the blocking of the entrance, two stages of use could be observed. Large stones in front and over the entrance belong to a secondary occupation. Of the primary phase dating to the 18th dynasty, some 0.50cm of the plaster seal of the entrance and a Nile silt flower pot with remnants of this plaster remain on the floor of the shaft.
The tomb has a single chamber of approx. 4m (north – south) by 2.4m (east-west). The room was filled with debris to about 0.8m under the ceiling.
On the left (north) side of the chamber, a black wooden coffin lies upon the thick layer of debris. On its sides, large yellow hieroglyphs are painted. Traces of yellow decoration are visible under the dust on its upper side. Next to the feet of the coffin stands a small, wooden stelae (27.5 x 22.5 x 2cm) with very bright colours. The type of stelae and coffin clearly indicate to the 22nd dynasty, 9th century BCE. It is one of the very few burials of this period in Thebes that can be observed with its objects still in their original position.
From the texts on the stelae and on the coffin, it appears that the burial belongs to a lady who was a chantress of Amun, called Nehemes-Bastet. Her father was a priest in Karnak.
The coffin is in good condition and contains the intact, carefully wrapped mummy of the lady, who measured about 1.55m. Conservation work is currently carried out before transportation to a magazine.
Pottery and fragments of wood point to the existence of a burial of the 18th dynasty underneath the layer of debris, which has yet to be cleared.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
KV64 BBC News - Egyptian tomb holds singer Nehmes Bastet's remains
We have an intact mummy!! BBC News - Egyptian tomb holds singer Nehmes Bastet's remains: Archaeologists working in Egypt have discovered the tomb of a female singer in the Valley of the Kings.
The tomb was found by a team from the University of Basel in Switzerland who came across it by chance.
The woman, Nehmes Bastet, was a temple singer during Egypt's 22nd Dynasty (approximately 945 - 712BC), according to an inscription in the tomb.
The coffin found in the tomb contains an intact mummy from almost 3,000 years ago.
Professor Susanne Bickel of the University of Basel told the BBC that the coffin was opened on Monday and she was able to see the "nicely wrapped" mummy of the woman who was buried in the tomb.
The opening of the coffin was carried out by Prof Bickel and her Basel colleague, field director Elina Paulin-Grothe, together with the Chief Inspector of Antiquities of Upper Egypt, Dr Mohammed el-Bialy and inspector Ali Reda.
Prof Bickel said that the upper edge of the tomb was found on the first day of Egypt's revolution, on 25 January 2011. The opening was sealed with an iron cover and the discovery was kept quiet.
Last week, after the start of this year's field season, the feature was identified as a tomb - and one of the very few tombs in the Valley of the Kings which have not been looted.
'Painted black'
Elina Paulin-Grothe said that the tomb was not built for the female singer, but was re-used for her 400 years after the original burial, according to AP.
There are other non-royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Prof Bickel said, which mostly date from the 18th Dynasty (1500 - 1400BC).
The woman in the coffin was the daughter of the high priest of Amon, Egypt's Antiquities Minister Mohammed Ibrahim told AFP.
The discovery was important because "it shows that the Valley of the Kings was also used for the burial of ordinary individuals and priests of the 22nd Dynasty", he added.
Egyptian news site Ahram reports that the wooden sarcophagus was painted black and decorated with hieroglyphic texts.
This tomb is only the second found in the Valley of the Kings since the discovery of Tutankhamun in 1922, and is referred to as KV64 in the naming system used to label tombs in the valley. It is one of a cluster of tombs without any wall decoration found near the royal tomb of Thutmoses III.
A tomb found in 2006, known as KV63, had seven coffins in it but none of them contained any mummies - it seems to have been used as a burial cache.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
The tomb was found by a team from the University of Basel in Switzerland who came across it by chance.
The woman, Nehmes Bastet, was a temple singer during Egypt's 22nd Dynasty (approximately 945 - 712BC), according to an inscription in the tomb.
The coffin found in the tomb contains an intact mummy from almost 3,000 years ago.
Professor Susanne Bickel of the University of Basel told the BBC that the coffin was opened on Monday and she was able to see the "nicely wrapped" mummy of the woman who was buried in the tomb.
The opening of the coffin was carried out by Prof Bickel and her Basel colleague, field director Elina Paulin-Grothe, together with the Chief Inspector of Antiquities of Upper Egypt, Dr Mohammed el-Bialy and inspector Ali Reda.
Prof Bickel said that the upper edge of the tomb was found on the first day of Egypt's revolution, on 25 January 2011. The opening was sealed with an iron cover and the discovery was kept quiet.
Last week, after the start of this year's field season, the feature was identified as a tomb - and one of the very few tombs in the Valley of the Kings which have not been looted.
'Painted black'
Elina Paulin-Grothe said that the tomb was not built for the female singer, but was re-used for her 400 years after the original burial, according to AP.
There are other non-royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Prof Bickel said, which mostly date from the 18th Dynasty (1500 - 1400BC).
The woman in the coffin was the daughter of the high priest of Amon, Egypt's Antiquities Minister Mohammed Ibrahim told AFP.
The discovery was important because "it shows that the Valley of the Kings was also used for the burial of ordinary individuals and priests of the 22nd Dynasty", he added.
Egyptian news site Ahram reports that the wooden sarcophagus was painted black and decorated with hieroglyphic texts.
This tomb is only the second found in the Valley of the Kings since the discovery of Tutankhamun in 1922, and is referred to as KV64 in the naming system used to label tombs in the valley. It is one of a cluster of tombs without any wall decoration found near the royal tomb of Thutmoses III.
A tomb found in 2006, known as KV63, had seven coffins in it but none of them contained any mummies - it seems to have been used as a burial cache.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Kv64: News from the Valley of the Kings - Post a Comment
BTW I have known about this tomb for sometime as had a number of other people like Andrea Byrnes and Kate Phizackerley, all of us bloggers united to keep the tomb safe putting Egyptology above personal egos. Here is Kate's comments about this back story. Blogger: News from the Valley of the Kings: There is a back story to this announcement. As many people will know, Andrea Byrnes and I were filtering all the archaeological news during the Egyptian revolution last year, and I was responsible for the Egyptologcal Looting Database. We heard rumours that a new tomb had been found in the Valley of the Kings by the University of Basel. At that point, the Valley was unprotected because the security police had been withdrawn and news of a new tomb could have drawn looters to the valley like bears to honey. Dr Thomas Schuler of Blue Shield helped us to warn the University of Basel of the growing rumours - it is another example of the work of Blue Shield in protecting Egypt's heritage. They rushed out a report about KV40b as a minor feature and I carried that here as news to pooh-pooh rumours of a new tomb.
I am not certain yet whether KV64 had been found in spring 2011 but it seems likely (if not then the rumours were assuming that KV40b is a tomb when it probably isn't). My apologies to readers that I didn't carry the story at the time but the safety of the tomb in such uncertain times was paramount. I know others like Jane Akshar also helped in damping down expectations and rumours in that critical period.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
I am not certain yet whether KV64 had been found in spring 2011 but it seems likely (if not then the rumours were assuming that KV40b is a tomb when it probably isn't). My apologies to readers that I didn't carry the story at the time but the safety of the tomb in such uncertain times was paramount. I know others like Jane Akshar also helped in damping down expectations and rumours in that critical period.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
The Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities
The Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities: Ken Griffin Her name appears on the second line (from the right) with the text reading:
1. Words spoken by the singer of the harem of
2. Amun, Nehemesbastet
3. true of voice. Daughter of
4. the fourth prophet of Amun, Djed-
5. khonsuiwfankh, true of voice,
6. son of the fourth prophet of Amun, Har-
7. siese, true of voice,
8. her mother, the daughter of the king, lord of the two lands,
9. Takelot [II], true of voice, Shepen-
10. sopdet, true of voice.
The remainder of the text is the beginning part of the shabti spell so is not particularly relevant. Of course, I'm not in any way saying that this IS the same woman discovered in the Valley. However, the name is the same, she is a singer of Amun, and her father is a priest of Amun. All points which have appeared in the press!
- Sent using Google Toolbar
The Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities
More EXCELLENT research from Lyn Green. The Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities: Nehemes-Bastet and Harwa?
If this Nehemes-Bastet is the mother of Padimut in Birmingham, she is the grandmother of Harwa, Chief Steward of God's Wife Amenirdis I.
Harwa was son of Nestawereret and priest Padimut. According to Padimut's coffin, he was the son of a woman called Nehemes-Bastet and Ankhefen-Mut
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If this Nehemes-Bastet is the mother of Padimut in Birmingham, she is the grandmother of Harwa, Chief Steward of God's Wife Amenirdis I.
Harwa was son of Nestawereret and priest Padimut. According to Padimut's coffin, he was the son of a woman called Nehemes-Bastet and Ankhefen-Mut
- Sent using Google Toolbar
The Padimut Mummy, Birmingham Museum 04/01/2009 - a photo on Flickriver
The Padimut Mummy, Birmingham Museum 04/01/2009 - a photo on Flickriver: The Padimut Mummy, Birmingham Museum 04/01/2009
Dating from 1070-700BC, this is the mummy of the priest of the Godess Mut, called Padimut and meaning 'the one who Mut gave'. He was the son of Ankhefen-Mut and Nehemes-Bastet.
The mummy is contained in its original inner coffin.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
Could this be the same lady? Thanks to Lyn Green for bringing it to my attention
KV64 Archaeologists find rare 1,100 year-old tomb of female singer in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings - The Washington Post
Archaeologists find rare 1,100 year-old tomb of female singer in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings - The Washington Post: - Sent using Google Toolbar
Luxor — In a rare find, Egyptian and Swiss archaeologists have unearthed a roughly 1,100 year-old tomb of a female singer in the Valley of the Kings, an antiquities official said Sunday.
It is the only tomb of a woman not related to the ancient Egyptian royal families ever found in the Valley of the Kings, said Mansour Boraiq, the top government official for the Antiquities’ Ministry in the city of Luxor,
The Valley of the Kings in Luxor is a major tourist attraction. In 1922, archaeologists there unearthed the gold funerary mask of Tutankhamun and other stunning items in the tomb of the king who ruled more than 3,000 years ago.
Boraiq told The Associated Press that the coffin of the female singer is remarkably intact.
He said that when the coffin is opened this week, archaeologists will likely find a mummy and a cartonnage mask molded to her face and made from layers of linen and plaster.
The singer’s name, Nehmes Bastet, means she was believed to be protected by the feline deity Bastet.
The tomb was found by accident, according to Elena Pauline-Grothe, field director for excavation at the Valley of the Kings with Switzerland’s University of Basel.
“We were not looking for new tombs. It was close to another tomb that was discovered 100 years ago,” Pauline-Grothe said.
Pauline-Grothe said the tomb was not originally built for the female singer, but was reused for her 400 years after the original one, based on artifacts found inside. Archaeologists do not know whom the tomb was originally intended for.
The coffin of the singer belonged to the daughter of a high priest during the 22nd Dynasty.
Archaeologists concluded from artifacts that she sang in Karnak Temple, one of the most famous and largest open-air sites from the Pharaonic era, according to evidence at the site.
At the time of her death, Egypt was ruled by Libyan kings, but the high priests who ruled Thebes, which is now within the city of Luxor, were independent. Their authority enabled them to use the royal cemetery for family members, according to Boraiq.
The unearthing marks the 64th tomb to be discovered in the Valley of the Kings.
Luxor — In a rare find, Egyptian and Swiss archaeologists have unearthed a roughly 1,100 year-old tomb of a female singer in the Valley of the Kings, an antiquities official said Sunday.
It is the only tomb of a woman not related to the ancient Egyptian royal families ever found in the Valley of the Kings, said Mansour Boraiq, the top government official for the Antiquities’ Ministry in the city of Luxor,
The Valley of the Kings in Luxor is a major tourist attraction. In 1922, archaeologists there unearthed the gold funerary mask of Tutankhamun and other stunning items in the tomb of the king who ruled more than 3,000 years ago.
Boraiq told The Associated Press that the coffin of the female singer is remarkably intact.
He said that when the coffin is opened this week, archaeologists will likely find a mummy and a cartonnage mask molded to her face and made from layers of linen and plaster.
The singer’s name, Nehmes Bastet, means she was believed to be protected by the feline deity Bastet.
The tomb was found by accident, according to Elena Pauline-Grothe, field director for excavation at the Valley of the Kings with Switzerland’s University of Basel.
“We were not looking for new tombs. It was close to another tomb that was discovered 100 years ago,” Pauline-Grothe said.
Pauline-Grothe said the tomb was not originally built for the female singer, but was reused for her 400 years after the original one, based on artifacts found inside. Archaeologists do not know whom the tomb was originally intended for.
The coffin of the singer belonged to the daughter of a high priest during the 22nd Dynasty.
Archaeologists concluded from artifacts that she sang in Karnak Temple, one of the most famous and largest open-air sites from the Pharaonic era, according to evidence at the site.
At the time of her death, Egypt was ruled by Libyan kings, but the high priests who ruled Thebes, which is now within the city of Luxor, were independent. Their authority enabled them to use the royal cemetery for family members, according to Boraiq.
The unearthing marks the 64th tomb to be discovered in the Valley of the Kings.
KV64
Mansour made a quick announcement congratulating the team from the University of Basle on their discovery of KV64. So nothing to add to the info we have so far. I did have a word with the dig director who expected to a good update on the website in a month.
BTW Ken Griffin may have identified her, he sent me a message
BTW Ken Griffin may have identified her, he sent me a message
Hi Jane. Looks like the name should read as Nehmesbastet or Nehemsybastet. The second rendering of the name is in Kitchen (p.219), where she is listed as a daughter of Djedkhonsuefankh (4th prophet of Amun) of the 22nd Dyn.
KV64 New archaeological discovery at the Valley of the Kings - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online
New archaeological discovery at the Valley of the Kings - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online: A deep burial well was found during a routine cleaning carried out by a Swiss archaeological mission on the path leading to King Tuthmosis III’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. The well leads to a burial chamber filled with a treasured collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts.
Mohamed Ibrahim, Minister of State for Antiquities, said that further inside the chamber, excavators stumbled upon a wooden sarcophagus painted black and decorated with hieroglyphic texts, and a wooden stelae engraved with the names and different titles of the deceased.
Early studies carried out by the Swiss team revealed that the tomb dates back to the 22nd Dynasty (945-712 BC) and it belongs to the daughter of Amun Re, lecture priest in Karnak temples and also the singer of the God Amun Re.
Excavations are now in full swing in order to reveal more of the tomb’s treasured collection.
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KV64 - Breaking News 22nd Dynasty tomb
The tomb found by Dr Elina of the University of Basel is of the Lady Nekhmet Bastet a daughter of the priest of Amun Re from 22nd dynasty when the Libyans were ruling. Mansour believes the valley has much more to be found. Mansour Boraik will give more details at the lecture tonight.
Spring 2012 Study Day Series from the South Assasif team
‘Gateway to an artistic renaissance: South Asasif Conservation Project in context’ with Dr Elena Pischikova and Dr Robert Morkot.
These Study Day’s will feature two expert speakers and combine the latest news from the field (Dr Elena Pischikova) with an orientation and leading interpretation around the Kushite period (Dr Robert Morkot).
- ‘The Kushite conquest and Thebes in the 25th Dynasty' by Dr Robert Morkot
- 'South Asasif Project update - Overview and latest results from 2010 and 2011' by
Dr Elena Pischikova
- 'Looking back to Egypt's past and forwards to a new style' by Dr Robert Morkot
- 'South Asasif Conservation Project - anatomy of an excavation' by Dr Elena Pischikova, John Billman and Trisha Mason
These are fund-raising Study Day’s organized by the South Asasif Conservation Trust which supports the work of the South Asasif Conservation Project directed by Dr Elena Pischikova. The project is reliant on private finance and is very much in need of funds.
Leicester - Saturday 3rd March 2012 (in association with the Leicestershire Ancient Egypt Society) 10am - 4.30pm Lord Mayors Room, New Walk Museum, Leicester, LE1 7EA
Glasgow - Sunday 4th March 2012 (in association with Egyptology Scotland) 11am - 5pm - The Burrell Collection Lecture Theatre, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G43 1AT
Reading - Sunday 11th March 2012 (in association with Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society) 9.30am - 4.30pm - Allen Lab, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, RG6 6AH
For details and booking information, see http://southasasif.com/Trust-Events.html
Please return your completed application form together with a cheque payable to South Asasif Conservation Trust to:-
Secretary, South Asasif Conservation Trust, 32 Windrush Drive, Hinckley, Leics, LE10 0NY.
Any queries, please email secretary@southasasif.com or telephone 01455 614741.
These Study Day’s will feature two expert speakers and combine the latest news from the field (Dr Elena Pischikova) with an orientation and leading interpretation around the Kushite period (Dr Robert Morkot).
- ‘The Kushite conquest and Thebes in the 25th Dynasty' by Dr Robert Morkot
- 'South Asasif Project update - Overview and latest results from 2010 and 2011' by
Dr Elena Pischikova
- 'Looking back to Egypt's past and forwards to a new style' by Dr Robert Morkot
- 'South Asasif Conservation Project - anatomy of an excavation' by Dr Elena Pischikova, John Billman and Trisha Mason
These are fund-raising Study Day’s organized by the South Asasif Conservation Trust which supports the work of the South Asasif Conservation Project directed by Dr Elena Pischikova. The project is reliant on private finance and is very much in need of funds.
Leicester - Saturday 3rd March 2012 (in association with the Leicestershire Ancient Egypt Society) 10am - 4.30pm Lord Mayors Room, New Walk Museum, Leicester, LE1 7EA
Glasgow - Sunday 4th March 2012 (in association with Egyptology Scotland) 11am - 5pm - The Burrell Collection Lecture Theatre, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G43 1AT
Reading - Sunday 11th March 2012 (in association with Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society) 9.30am - 4.30pm - Allen Lab, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, RG6 6AH
For details and booking information, see http://southasasif.com/Trust-Events.html
Please return your completed application form together with a cheque payable to South Asasif Conservation Trust to:-
Secretary, South Asasif Conservation Trust, 32 Windrush Drive, Hinckley, Leics, LE10 0NY.
Any queries, please email secretary@southasasif.com or telephone 01455 614741.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
KV64??? Something new in the Valley of Kings?
KV64??? Remember this blog post from March, the internet rumour mill is working overtime at the moment saying an announcement will be made about KV64. Luxor News - Jane Akshar: Something new in the Valley of Kings?: - Sent using Google Toolbar
I was just sent this link which tells the story in Arabic
اكتشاف مقبرة صخرية أسفل بئر غرب الأقصر: - Sent using Google Toolbar
I was just sent this link which tells the story in Arabic
اكتشاف مقبرة صخرية أسفل بئر غرب الأقصر: - Sent using Google Toolbar
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Mummification Museum Lectures next 2 weeks #luxor
7pm Sunday 15th January Dr Donald Ryan
7pm Sunday 22nd January Dr Omar - West Bank Dewatering Project
These lectures are free, everyone is welcome and last about 1 hour
7pm Sunday 22nd January Dr Omar - West Bank Dewatering Project
These lectures are free, everyone is welcome and last about 1 hour
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
News about Djehuty
Arqueólogos españoles, rumbo a Luxor para estudiar tumbas de hace 3.500 años - RTVE.es: - Sent using Google Toolbar
Monday, 9 January 2012
The Life Cycle of a Theban tomb
The Life Cycle of a Theban tomb – A view from the tomb of Panehsy and Tarenu TT16 by Suzanne Onstine
The team have done three seasons so far. Their approach is not to look at the tomb from a narrow 19th Dynasty viewpoint but a more holistic view of who was buried there throughout its history. The tomb is situated at Dra Abu Naga. The periods covered are New Kingdom, Third intermediate Period, Late Period and Hellestic.
The original builder has been identified as living in the Ramases II period not just on stylist grounds but also on because one of the people mentioned in it. However because he was a priest of the cult of Amenhotep I and Ahmose-Nefertari it is that pharaoh that is depicted. She was attracted to the tomb because Panehsy was a chanter, so was his wife which was a usual female role but a man to be doing it is more unusual, not only that his brother was also a chanter.
Why was Dra Abu Naga chosen by him as the location of his tomb?
He was not an important person, just a minor official however he was a priest of Amenhotep I and his mortuary temple is nearby and K.93.11 excavated by Daniel Poltz is one of the contenders for the tomb of Amenhotep I. Also in that area there is a high incidence of Amenhotep I and Ahmose Nefertari.
Condition of the tomb
The courtyard is intact. The tomb itself is built in an area of poor quality limestone so the ancient workmen had to fill gaps with mud brick, smooth with mud and then white plaster to create an even surface. There are depictions of Amenhotep I cult statue but the pictures of Panehsy and his wife Tarenu which would have been shown worshipping before it have been removed by looters.
The tomb is T-shaped and a map was done by Kemp, they hope to eventually do one themselves using latest technology, Kemp’s map show a burial chamber going out to around 50-70 meters and 1 meter wide of which they have only excavated the first part.
Having built your tomb you fill it with nice stuff, Suzanne showed examples of the sort of stuff you would expect to find in a tomb like this, so far they haven’t found anything of this quality but have found a stopper with IRP (wine) on it.
Decoration
The sort of decoration you can expect to find is bounty of the land, family and deities. The customary scenes in the Ramses II period are funeral in nature, funerary banquet and book of the dead but Panehsy has lively scenes and gives a sense of his personality with vignettes like the donkey braying but you never forget your family and the gods.
The Burial
They have no idea what the condition of the burial is, so far they have excavated 7 meters by 1 meter and it will be several years before they get to the burial chamber. They have found lots of broken cartonage form various periods.
There are intrusive burials from 21st dynasty and they have some cartonage small but nice. Also some Graeco-roman pieces. Although these pieces are small you do not need big pieces in order to identify the period. So far the only other person to be named is Tjenetshedkhonsu.
The tomb has about 1000 years of reuse, it is a mistake to think about it in just the context of 19th dynasty burial, you have to think about it in all its periods of use. She wants to create a picture of all the people who have used the tomb.
Why are the bodies and coffins so broken?
Simple answer is looters; they ripped off arms looking for bracelets broken legs apart looking for copies of the book of the dead, ripped into body cavities. The pattern of destruction shows a degree of knowledge so sadly the damage is looting rather than accidental, climate or animals, They are looking for anything they can sell easily books of the dead, stele and of course gold, Even the body of a child of 4 has been desecrated in this way. Third Intermediate Coffins are very detailed and easily identifiable.
Why did they use this tomb?
- Reuse is very common
- Scarcity of new sits
- Sanctity of this necropolis
- Evolution of styles
To be in this area meant you were close to the ancestors even if they were not your personal family. When people reused tombs in the New Kingdom a 19th dynasty person would remove evidence of an 18th dynasty original owner but in the Third Intermediate Period they did not do this.
Missing scenes
Sadly, almost tragically, looters have attacked 6 scenes and removed them. It happened sometime during the 1970-1980’s as photos from the 1950’s show these scenes and photos in the late 80’s show them missing. Tombs did not have doors at this time and this particular tomb was close to road so handy. The removal has damaged the surrounding wall relief. The scenes were selected for their anonymity; just nice pictures no identifying text. She has searched museum catalogues and published collections and has not found her scenes.
The tombs modern life, what now?
They plan to
- Investigate the entire burial shaft
- Preservation of any human remains that are found
- Analysis of finds
- Conservation of the plaster
- Publication of the entire life cycle of the tomb
Suzanne gave thanks to all especially to the Egyptian who helped her keep going through the revolution.
The team have done three seasons so far. Their approach is not to look at the tomb from a narrow 19th Dynasty viewpoint but a more holistic view of who was buried there throughout its history. The tomb is situated at Dra Abu Naga. The periods covered are New Kingdom, Third intermediate Period, Late Period and Hellestic.
The original builder has been identified as living in the Ramases II period not just on stylist grounds but also on because one of the people mentioned in it. However because he was a priest of the cult of Amenhotep I and Ahmose-Nefertari it is that pharaoh that is depicted. She was attracted to the tomb because Panehsy was a chanter, so was his wife which was a usual female role but a man to be doing it is more unusual, not only that his brother was also a chanter.
Why was Dra Abu Naga chosen by him as the location of his tomb?
He was not an important person, just a minor official however he was a priest of Amenhotep I and his mortuary temple is nearby and K.93.11 excavated by Daniel Poltz is one of the contenders for the tomb of Amenhotep I. Also in that area there is a high incidence of Amenhotep I and Ahmose Nefertari.
Condition of the tomb
The courtyard is intact. The tomb itself is built in an area of poor quality limestone so the ancient workmen had to fill gaps with mud brick, smooth with mud and then white plaster to create an even surface. There are depictions of Amenhotep I cult statue but the pictures of Panehsy and his wife Tarenu which would have been shown worshipping before it have been removed by looters.
The tomb is T-shaped and a map was done by Kemp, they hope to eventually do one themselves using latest technology, Kemp’s map show a burial chamber going out to around 50-70 meters and 1 meter wide of which they have only excavated the first part.
Having built your tomb you fill it with nice stuff, Suzanne showed examples of the sort of stuff you would expect to find in a tomb like this, so far they haven’t found anything of this quality but have found a stopper with IRP (wine) on it.
Decoration
The sort of decoration you can expect to find is bounty of the land, family and deities. The customary scenes in the Ramses II period are funeral in nature, funerary banquet and book of the dead but Panehsy has lively scenes and gives a sense of his personality with vignettes like the donkey braying but you never forget your family and the gods.
The Burial
They have no idea what the condition of the burial is, so far they have excavated 7 meters by 1 meter and it will be several years before they get to the burial chamber. They have found lots of broken cartonage form various periods.
There are intrusive burials from 21st dynasty and they have some cartonage small but nice. Also some Graeco-roman pieces. Although these pieces are small you do not need big pieces in order to identify the period. So far the only other person to be named is Tjenetshedkhonsu.
The tomb has about 1000 years of reuse, it is a mistake to think about it in just the context of 19th dynasty burial, you have to think about it in all its periods of use. She wants to create a picture of all the people who have used the tomb.
Why are the bodies and coffins so broken?
Simple answer is looters; they ripped off arms looking for bracelets broken legs apart looking for copies of the book of the dead, ripped into body cavities. The pattern of destruction shows a degree of knowledge so sadly the damage is looting rather than accidental, climate or animals, They are looking for anything they can sell easily books of the dead, stele and of course gold, Even the body of a child of 4 has been desecrated in this way. Third Intermediate Coffins are very detailed and easily identifiable.
Why did they use this tomb?
- Reuse is very common
- Scarcity of new sits
- Sanctity of this necropolis
- Evolution of styles
To be in this area meant you were close to the ancestors even if they were not your personal family. When people reused tombs in the New Kingdom a 19th dynasty person would remove evidence of an 18th dynasty original owner but in the Third Intermediate Period they did not do this.
Missing scenes
Sadly, almost tragically, looters have attacked 6 scenes and removed them. It happened sometime during the 1970-1980’s as photos from the 1950’s show these scenes and photos in the late 80’s show them missing. Tombs did not have doors at this time and this particular tomb was close to road so handy. The removal has damaged the surrounding wall relief. The scenes were selected for their anonymity; just nice pictures no identifying text. She has searched museum catalogues and published collections and has not found her scenes.
The tombs modern life, what now?
They plan to
- Investigate the entire burial shaft
- Preservation of any human remains that are found
- Analysis of finds
- Conservation of the plaster
- Publication of the entire life cycle of the tomb
Suzanne gave thanks to all especially to the Egyptian who helped her keep going through the revolution.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Merry Coptic Christmas
Christians in Egypt are now celebrating their Christmas, orthodox churches use the old calendar hence the difference. So happy Christmas to all Copts, both neighbours, friends and internet friends.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
The Opening of the Mouth ritual in the tomb of Harwa
The Opening of the Mouth ritual in the tomb of Harwa TT37 Miriam Ayad A progreshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifs report
This lecture was a serious treat and I look forward to Miriam publishing her work. That book is going to be one of the classics to keep on your shelves. She started with a back ground to the Opening of the Mouth ceremony and the work she has already done in various tombs. You may find this link helpful http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/religion/wpr.html and she referred to Otto’s work continually through the lecture. Otto 1960. E. Otto, Das Ägyptische Mundoffnungsritual, Wiesbaden, 1960
The Opening of the Mouth ritual could be performed on a cult statue, a mummy or a temple. In 1960 E. Otto published examples of 75 scenes which could appear either as text, a scene or both. The ‘sen’ priest appears wearing a leopard skin and using an adze, he also appears presenting incense or pouring libations to be ritually purify the mummy.
The various scenes, using Otto’s numbering, are 2-7 and 57-75 are about ritual purification and 26 and 17 about opening of the mouth. Also the slaughtering of an ox appears and it is thought that there might be a north and south aspect to this and indeed the tomb of Rekhmire does show a different colour that might confirm this.
Anatomically the fore leg (kephesh) continues to twitch after death and this is sometimes used instead of the adze for the opening of the mouth.
The ritual in the tomb of Seti I starts in corridor G and goes to towards H and them on the opposite wall goes from H back to G. There are minor variations in text and in G sometimes the text is on one wall and the scene is on the other.
In the tomb chapel of Amenirdis the hieroglyphs are retrogrades which means you read into the back of the bird’s heads not into their beaks.
The scene numbering helps us understand how it was performed however Otto’s numbering is not always sequential and not all scenes are numbered.
Harwa
This tomb was decorated at the same time as the chapel of Amenirdis and predates Petamenophis. It is the earliest tomb in the group of monumental tombs. The opening of the mouth appears on the walls of the 2nd hypostyle hall and appears on all walls except of the east wall. The pillars are at the present time unstudied. It is very difficult to study as it is in a poor state of preservation and missing its plaster. So they have to rely on the chiselling of the plaster coming through to the wall itself. They are concentrating on:-
• Copying
• Reconstruction
• Verifying Otto’ identification
• Production of a photographic record
Some of the fragments are the size of a pencil and she showed a series of slides showing the assembling of the jigsaw puzzle of pieces. One piece as it shows the end of a piece of text means they were able to identify the size of the preceding piece of text. There is a large area of lacunae and they are very gradually filling it.
One scene shows opening taking place with a feather.
There is a great deal of repetitiveness in the scenes and she gave numerous examples of this. They have also identified that the Upper Egypt text was on the south wall and Lower Egypt on the north wall. They are concentrating on using rare words to sort things Otto identified lots but they are identifying even more. So they are improving on Otto’s work, she is able to compare it with Rekhmire which is an odd tomb having many registers because of its unusual shape.
They are understanding the geography, the physical layout and genealogy. Also building on the work of Bjerke 1965.
This lecture was a serious treat and I look forward to Miriam publishing her work. That book is going to be one of the classics to keep on your shelves. She started with a back ground to the Opening of the Mouth ceremony and the work she has already done in various tombs. You may find this link helpful http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/religion/wpr.html and she referred to Otto’s work continually through the lecture. Otto 1960. E. Otto, Das Ägyptische Mundoffnungsritual, Wiesbaden, 1960
The Opening of the Mouth ritual could be performed on a cult statue, a mummy or a temple. In 1960 E. Otto published examples of 75 scenes which could appear either as text, a scene or both. The ‘sen’ priest appears wearing a leopard skin and using an adze, he also appears presenting incense or pouring libations to be ritually purify the mummy.
The various scenes, using Otto’s numbering, are 2-7 and 57-75 are about ritual purification and 26 and 17 about opening of the mouth. Also the slaughtering of an ox appears and it is thought that there might be a north and south aspect to this and indeed the tomb of Rekhmire does show a different colour that might confirm this.
Anatomically the fore leg (kephesh) continues to twitch after death and this is sometimes used instead of the adze for the opening of the mouth.
The ritual in the tomb of Seti I starts in corridor G and goes to towards H and them on the opposite wall goes from H back to G. There are minor variations in text and in G sometimes the text is on one wall and the scene is on the other.
In the tomb chapel of Amenirdis the hieroglyphs are retrogrades which means you read into the back of the bird’s heads not into their beaks.
The scene numbering helps us understand how it was performed however Otto’s numbering is not always sequential and not all scenes are numbered.
Harwa
This tomb was decorated at the same time as the chapel of Amenirdis and predates Petamenophis. It is the earliest tomb in the group of monumental tombs. The opening of the mouth appears on the walls of the 2nd hypostyle hall and appears on all walls except of the east wall. The pillars are at the present time unstudied. It is very difficult to study as it is in a poor state of preservation and missing its plaster. So they have to rely on the chiselling of the plaster coming through to the wall itself. They are concentrating on:-
• Copying
• Reconstruction
• Verifying Otto’ identification
• Production of a photographic record
Some of the fragments are the size of a pencil and she showed a series of slides showing the assembling of the jigsaw puzzle of pieces. One piece as it shows the end of a piece of text means they were able to identify the size of the preceding piece of text. There is a large area of lacunae and they are very gradually filling it.
One scene shows opening taking place with a feather.
There is a great deal of repetitiveness in the scenes and she gave numerous examples of this. They have also identified that the Upper Egypt text was on the south wall and Lower Egypt on the north wall. They are concentrating on using rare words to sort things Otto identified lots but they are identifying even more. So they are improving on Otto’s work, she is able to compare it with Rekhmire which is an odd tomb having many registers because of its unusual shape.
They are understanding the geography, the physical layout and genealogy. Also building on the work of Bjerke 1965.
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