Tomb Of Khaemhat
TT57
During the Dynasty XVIII reign of Amenhotep III, Khaemhet—also known as Mahu—served as the monarch’s scribe and “Overseer of the Granaries of Upper and Lower Egypt.” Near the tombs of Userhet and Ramose, as well as in the vicinity of the hamlet of Sheikh ‘Abd el-Qurna, is where his tomb may be discovered.
The west end of the Abd el Qurna necropolis contains a large number of tombs, including TT 57. Amenhotep III probably had the tomb built at some point in his rule. The only privately owned tomb from this period that dates to the year 30 (during Amenhotep III’s reign) and was ornamented with reliefs is Khaemhat, one of the four tombs from this period. A complex version of the typical T-shaped private graves is seen in the tomb. Similar entrances may be seen, and the room they lead to are decorated with rare agricultural scenes.
The three chambered tomb features beautifully carved reliefs that cover a wide range of intriguing topics. There is still a stela in the courtyard that shows canopic jars and the tools used in the ceremony known as “Opening the Mouth.” The original relief of Khaemhet worshipping and singing a song to Re, which is currently housed in the Berlin Museum, has been replaced with a cast in the transverse offering hall after a short passageway.
The principal purpose of Khaemhat involved the administration of agricultural output and its secure storage and distribution, which is shown in the abundance of agricultural themes that decorate the tomb.
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Khaemhet is shown in giving scenes to Amun-Re-Horakhty on the left side of the entry wall, with butchers and offering bringers below. Following are scenes from an agricultural setting where the crop is measured and recorded. While Khemhet brings the serpent-goddess Renenutet (Termuthis) a sheaf of grain, the baby king is nursed by her at a shrine. Scenes of goods being transported to markets and freight ships being unloaded may be seen at the end of this wall.
It appears that the Khaemhat tomb was always open to the public and well recognised. A lot of early tourists went to the tomb and sketched the scenery. These include the expedition led by Karl Richard Lepsius and Nestor L’Hôte. They also published other scenarios that were duplicated. The reliefs were squeezed by other passengers. A relief of the deceased’s wife Tiyi is placed between two statues of Khaemhet and the royal scribe Imhotep in a niche at the southern end of the hall, with texts on each side.
Reliefs of livestock being brought before Amenhotep III, who is seated in his kiosk, may be seen near the southernmost point of the eastern wall. (The cast of the king’s original head may be found in the Berlin Museum.) A text from year 30 of Amenhotep III’s reign is substituted on the opposite side of the inner route entrance (north) for reliefs depicting Khaemhet and other officials receiving rewards from the monarch. Offering scenes are still visible on the northern end wall.
More agricultural scenes with labourers measuring the crop are depicted on the right side of the entry wall. While dinner is being made under the trees, a mule-chariot is waiting. While others are threshing grain, using oxen to plough, and falling trees, a guy is also dozing off and a youngster is drinking from a waterskin beneath a tree. The crop is presented to the gods, and Khaemhet is seen presenting sacrifices on braziers.
The funeral procession is shown making its way toward Osiris and the Western Goddess inside the broad entrance on the left-hand side. With boats below, the typical depictions of mourners and funeral materials are seen. The funeral ceremonies are resumed on the right-side wall, which features a scene of Khaemhet in the lovely Netherworld’s “Fields of Iaru.” This picture also shows the ‘Abydos Pilgrimage,’ and one of the boats even has a horse and chariot in it. Priests and ladies in sorrow pay tribute to the departed.
The passageway opens into a second inner room that is transverse and has three statue niches, each of which has the ruins of sculptures of the dead and his kin. Additionally, there are litanies and offering verses written on the walls. The principal purpose of Khaemhat involved the administration of agricultural output and its secure storage and distribution, which is shown in the abundance of agricultural themes that decorate the tomb. Another uncommon picture of New Kingdom tombs is the market scene. Although there are some parallels in the portrayals, the Khaemhat tomb stands out for its numerous idiosyncrasies. Egyptologists can learn more about ancient Egyptian business with the aid of TT57.
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