THE TOMB OF KHNUM-HOTEP and NIAKH-KHNUM A short distance from Cairo lies the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, which I have been so fortunate to have visited many times. As I mentioned sometime earlier I have, with kind premission from the SCA, been privileged to view on a few occasions, the very fascinating tomb of two priests - named Khnum-hotep and Niakh-khnum; in addition to their duties as priests, they also held the positions of Overseers of the Royal Manicurists. The tomb is quite compact, although complicaed in its layout. The walls however are extensively and exquisitely carved with beautifully rendered inscriptions and scenes in low raised relief. Sadly much of the paint has flaked off, but here and there, one can still see flakes of the original shades of red, green, blue and reddish brown paint which were used to decorate the tomb - how beautiful and colourful it must have been when it was first built and occupied. The scenes in the tomb can be divided into 2 types; 1 type depicts aspects of the daily life of the ordinary people which include the tomb owners. The other type depicts family scenes including natuarally, the important funerary scenes which depict only the men and their families. Because of time constraints when visiting this tomb, its not possible to view all the scenes so Ive selected some which stand out for me and which you may like to look out for when you visit the tomb. One enters via a pillared portico and here you have your first glimpse of the two men - they are shown seated facing each other on the eastern and western walls respectively, while framing the doorway beyond are scenes depicting them enjoying some quality time with their wives and children. We see them on skiffs in the papyrus marshes - one in the act of spearing a fish the other about to hurl his throw-stick at some water fowl. As was the norm in ancient Egyptian art, their wives, while being present, are depicted as being knee high to the men. Each couple has a son and daughter with them and all are depicted in this charming scene of two families enjoying a day in the marshes. The wide doorway ahead displays some interesting reliefs depicting funerary rituals being performed on the statues of the deceased men. I liked the beer making scenes - brewers push barley bread through a sieve, and then tread this into a mash, the first stages in the making of the beer so enjoyed by all Egyptians; not a brew many of us would enjoy today I dont think! Moving further into the tomb we see scenes that allow us to identify, in a way, with these ancient people - men enjoying having manicures and pedicures - while close by other men receive the attentions of the barber. Other scenes I enjoyed a lot are from the busy market place and include a scene of a baboon watch dog with the leg of a thief held tightly in his powerful jaws - a most effective watch dog as any modern trained security dog! Such lively scenes of market transactions! No coinage was used at this time so all purchases were by barter, if you can find it, and look closely you’ll see a fishmonger who appears to be accepting a loaf of bread in exchange for his basket of fish. After the thirsty work of bartering, see a man stop at the local bar for a drink of barley beer. The next group of scenes shows hunting and fishing activities; here only the males of the family are depicted. Basket traps in the water reveal easily identified (by Ichthyologists) local fish - tilapia, catfish and eels amongst them. Inside the next room are agricultural scenes and scenes of craftsmen at work. Looking closely, you can even see the jeweler working on a wide collar for one of the men, while nearby carpenters make bed head rests, chairs and chests. Elsewhere men are depicted herding the tomb owners cattle - one of the herdsmen is assisting a cow during the birth of her calf. It is in fact very difficult to spot these scenes especially if youre with a group, but if you can get permission to visit there and spend some time having a good look around you will find them. There are some unusual features in this tomb which have prompted speculation about the relationship between the two men buried here. Here is one of them - on a door jamb in the centre of the tomb, there is what someone has called a visual statement of their close friendship - accompanied by their children, they stand close to one another, one gripping the others wrist, that man with his arm about the shoulder of his companion. But in the last and innermost chamber they stand together in splendid isolation, wives and families excluded, embracing one another in the most intimate pose allowed by the canons of Egyptian art. Dr Zahi Hawass believes they were probably twin brothers, although there is no evidence for this; however, the suggestion that they were gay friends seems equally odd as they are depicted with wives and families, which of course doesnt prove a thing. Well whatever the reality, its not possible over the vast distance in time that separates us from them to know what their realtionship was - but whatever it was, and its entirely their own business - this is how they wanted to be depicted in their joint tomb - so we should leave them now – alone in eternity as they wanted.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 11:06:34 +0000
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