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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLICATIONS

EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGY, VOLUME
II.

THE

EARLY DYNASTIC CEMETERIES

OF

NAQA-ED-DER

PART
BY

GEORGE

A.

REISNER

J.

C.

HINRICHS, LEIPZIG
1908

TO
Mrs.
WHO,
IN

PHOEBE APPERSON HEARST

OF. CALIFORNIA,

THE INTEREST OF THE UNIVERSITY

HAS BORNE FOR FIVE YEARS

THE ENTIRE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF

SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITIONS IN PERU,

NORTH AMERICA

AND

EGYPT,

THE SERIES OF PUBUCATIONS ON EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGY OF "WHICH THIS

IS

THE SECOND VOLUME,

IS

HEREBY GRATEFULLY DEDICATED.

-<.

PREFACE.
In 1899,

Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst

entrusted

to

me

the

organisation
all

and direction of an

Egyptian Expedition.
for
five

She bound herself by contract to provide

object

the funds for the Expedition

years.

The

of the Expedition

v^^as

to

make

historical

and archaeological

reat

searches for the University of California, and to provide material for an Egyptian
that University.

Museum

Later, with Mrs. Hearst's support, a great

scheme of anthropological research

California,

was organized under the general direction of Professor Putnam of the University of
and of the Peabody
tian

Museum of American Archaeology

I

at

Harvard University; and the Egyp-

Expedition became part of that general scheme.

was made responsible for the Egyptian

work, and was given perfect freedom in the appointment of

my

assistants
its

and in the methods

active field

of work.
six years.

Supported by Mrs. Hearst alone, the expedition continued

work

for

After that date, working on ample funds provided by Mrs. Hearst, the expedition

has continued the

work of

publication.

The
its

present volume
excavations.

is

the

first

of

a series

of publiis

cations to be issued
in the press,

by the expedition on

second volume by Mr. Mace

and other volumes are under way.

I

In the spring of 1899,

engaged Mr.

F.

W.

Green of Cambridge University

to help me.

He
1898

had been with Mr.

J.

E. Quibell at Hierakonpolis in 1897

Petrie's

8,

and alone
later, I

at the

same

site

in

9^ working for Prof

a

Research Account.

And somewhat

engaged Mr. A. M.

Lythgoe who had been

in 18^6 to

student with

me

while

was an instructor
at

at

Harvard University

7.

He

had

just

been appointed instructor

the University, and gave up that place

come

to the Hearst Expedition.

With

the help and advice of Dr.

Ludwig Borchardt and

and
J.
I

especially

of Mr.

J.

E. Quibell,

the plan of

work

for the

first

year was formed;

deter-

mined

to look for the cemetery of

a trip

Coptos

(Keft) in the desert east

of that

place.

Mr.

E. Quibell

went on

of inspection with

me

to Keft, Der-el-Ballas, Ballas, El-Kab,

Kom-el-Ahmar,
as
I

Matana, Esneh, Edfu and other

sites in

September

1899.

Absolutely inexperienced

was in

camp

life,

Mr. Quibell and

of

his sister,

Miss Kate Quibell, were of the greatest assistance to us

life

in the organization

a rational

camp

at the start.

'

See Egyptian Research Account, Hierakonpolis

and

II,

(Quaritch, London).

yj
Mr. Green brought with him

Preface.

a certain

number of men,
or twelve

trained,

some of them by him,

had worked with Prof.
basis,

tnd some by Mr. Quibell.

Pctrie at
selection
I

We

also

got ten

men who

one time or
and
training,

other.'

The

rest

were green hands.

On

this

by

a
is

process of
at

our organized gang of

workmen was

built

up,

which

present,

believe,

the best trained and most effective gang in Egypt.

This includes a photographic

staff,

headed by Said

Ahmed

Said,

which has

this

year (ipod

7)

done

practically

all

the photo-

graphic

work

for the Harvard- Boston

Museum

Expedition, including the taldng of photographs,

the developing of the negatives, and the making of the prints.

In

December

1899

and January

1900,

we

searched the desert at Keft and finally found the

^

cemeter)- inaccessible in the cultivation between the village of Kellahin and the village of Awedat.

In the meantime a predynastic

nastic

flint

camp was found and excavated; and

plundered predy-

cemetery

at Shurafa

was examined.
February

In February, the whole expedition

moved
1900,

to Der-

el-Ballas,

where

in the spring,

July, 1900,
by Sobhi

and November

December,

two

18

th

dynast>' cemeteries, a

number of

houses, and

two mud-brick
Effendi,

palaces

were excavated.

In

May

1900,

having been informed

Inspector of the Department of

Antiquities,

that plundering
I

was going on

in a predynastic

cemetery

at

El-Ahaiwah, opposite
that
site.

Menshiah,

obtained permission from

the Department

of Antiquities to excavate

During

May

August,

worked

at

El-Ahaiwah on
a fort

a predynastic

cemetery, a cemetery and

town of

the late

Empire to the
In

New Empire, and late New Empire.

which showed

signs

of occupation from the Middle

November

December,

1900,

work was resumed on the

a

palaces at Der-el-Ballas.

In

December, Mr. Lythgoe was sent with

as a

gang of
I

men

to search the desert to the south as far

1899,

predynastic cemetery which Quibell and

had seen in

which
site

now

wished to ex-

cavate.

In the meantime Mr. Quibell had informed us that the

five

of Naga-ed-Der opposite

Girga and about

miles

south of El-Ahaiwah, was being plundered.

I

Having obtained
ist,

permission from the Department of Antiquities,

leaving Mr. Lythgoe to finish up at Ballas
It

went

to

Naga-ed-Der on February

1901,

and

at Der-el-Ballas. a series

soon became
a

clear that

we had

at

Naga-ed-Der

of cemeteries from one com-

munity covering

long period of time, and that important archaeological results might be

obtained from the systematic excavation of these cemeteries.

1903, active field

From February
series

ist, 1901,

to

March

work was

carried

on

at

the

site;

and the

of cemeteries was found to

be nearly complete from the

earliest

predynastic period

down

to the present day.

Mr. Green

left

the

expedition in

May

1901;

and Mr. A. C. Mace, who had been with

and joined the expedition
in

Prof. Petrie for four years,

was engaged

in his place,

November

'

Prot Petrie bad begun work some weeks before our work began, and had already taken
Since then reports of plundering have confirmed this conclusion.

all

the

men he wanted from

Keft.

Preface.

VII

1901.

Mr. Lythgoe was sent to Keft and Der-el-Ballas in November

of photographs
1903,

December
100,

1901,

to take

a fresh series

at these places

and to close the camp

3500,
I

at Der-el-Ballds.

In De-

cember

1901

March

Mace worked on Cemetery

7000.

worked Cemetery

and Lythgoe

worked on the predynastic cemetery

In the spring of 1902, Mr. Quibell informed

me

that

Dr. G. EHiot Smith,

obtain

professor

of

Comparative Anatomy

at

the Khedivial School of Medicine, wished to

racial

somatological

and other material for researches on the of bodies for

burial

characteristics,
I

the diseases, and the treatment

all

of the ancient Egyptians.

immediately offered him

in

our material,
particularly

which

at that time,

owing to the condition of the bodies

to the courtesy of the

Cemetery 7000, was

interesting.

Thanks

Ministry of Education
in
scientific

and of the head of the

Prof. Elliot

Khedivial School of Medicine and to their interest

research.

Smith

was permitted to spend

number of weeks examining

the skeletons in the graves; and he has

continued to do the anatomical work of the expedition

In March,
1903,

down

to the present day.

to begin

Mr. Mace was sent with

I

gang of

men

work

at

the Pyramids

of Gizeh.

In 1903

4,

took charge of the Gizeh work, while Lythgoe and Mace finished
etc. at

up the work of mapping, planning, photography

Naga-ed-Der.

The

excavations at the

Pyramids led to the clearing and the identification of the separate royal cemeteries of Cheops,

Chephren and Mykerinos, the

tion of a mass of material
burial
at

later

cemeteries of the priests of these kings, and the accumulaart

on the development of the mastaba, the masonry, the

This
material,

and the

customs of

this

period.
its

moreover, confirms and completes the material

series

Naga-ed-Der and

finds

proper place in the chronological

of that

site.

Mr. Lythgoe had, in Boston Museum; and in

meantime, in
1903,

1902,

been appointed curator of the Egyptian Department of the

he returned to Boston to take up
his

1904,

duties

there.

In the

Mr. N. de G. Davies,

who had been working

for the

Egypt Exploration

Fund, was engaged to do the copying work of the expedition; and worked partly for the
Fund, partly for the Hearst Expedition, and
during
1903-

later for the

Harvard-Boston

Museum

Expedition,

5.

Since 1905, the field

work of

the expedition has been continued in the interest of Harvard

University and the Boston

Museum of

Fine Arts, supported by

a subscription

fund which has

Bartlett,

been
Prof.

in

charge of
F".

committee consisting of Mr. Gardner M. Lane, Mr. Francis

and

George
It is

Moore.
a

not possible here to give

but
I

detailed account of the

methods of work of the Ex-

pedition;

wish to indicate the general principles which have been followed by the Exits

pedition, especially in
I.

later

work.
staff of Europeans

It is

necessary to have an organized

and of workmen trained in all branches

of the work, and following careful methods of excavation and recording as a habtt.

yrjT
necessary
to

Preface.

2.

It

is

excavate

whole

sites

and whole cemeteries.

at

The

excavation

of

individual tombs,

while interesting and

is

times valuable,

does not provide that suf-

ficiency

of continuous material which

a civilization

necessary to justify conclusions on the deve-

lopment of
is,

such

as

we

have in Egypt.

The

discovery of beautiful objects

of course, greatly to be desired; but the search for

and archaeological research which
is

Museum

specimens

is

an offence
institution

against historical

utterly

imworthy of any

which pretends to be devoted to the advancement of knowledge.

3.

Every cemetery and every building represents

as practicable,

a series

of deposits which ought, so

far

to be taken off layer

layer.
a

by

layer in the

inverse chronological order and

recorded layer by
4.
It
is

necessary to make

complete record by drawings, notes and photographs, of

every stage of the work.

We

have found

it

possible

to record every

tomb

in

cemetery, plundered and unplundered, by photography, and, moreover, every important

stage in the excavation
5.

of each tomb.

It is

necessary to publish these records so far as practicable, tomb by tomb, and at the
a careful systematized consideration

same time to give

of the material they contain. The

hasty and incomplete pubHcation, year

by

year,

of the season's work, with the temporary

working hypothesis of the hour,

interest in the

satisfies

the curiosity of those

who

have a

less

direct

work, but tends to deprive the systematic archaeologist of

a large

mass

of useful
I

material.

wish gratefully to acknowledge the obligations of the Expedition to the Service des

Andquites of the Egyptian Government, and especially to Prof. Maspero for the granting of
concessions to the expedition, and for the justice and generosity which has been manifested
in dividing the proceeds
I

of our excavations.

wish

also to thank

Mr. Quibell and Prof. Borchardt for their assistance in the

their continual advice

first

year

of the expedition, and subsequently for

and sympathy.

George

A. Reisner.

CONTENTS.
Page

PREFACE
Chapter
I.

and

CONTENTS THE CEMETERIES OF NAGA-ED-DER.

Situation.

V XII
Cemetery 2000
1000.

Cemetery 9000.
3000.
100.

Cemetery
3100.

3500.

...
1500.

Cemetery
Cemetery
Chapter
II.

Cemetery

Cemetery
700.

Cemetery

Cemetery 500 and

Cemetery 7000

....
the
Nile.

CEMETERY
Cemetery of

N. 1500.
first

and second dynasties.

debris.

Plundered and covered with

Erosion

New
Modern
Chapter
III.

Empire

Coptic Cemetery.

by

Sebakh digging
plundering.

Condition of N. 1500 in February

1901

....

4 4

Chapter IV.

THE EXCAVATION OF CEMETERY TYPES OF TOMBS IN CEMETERY N. NOLOGICAL RELATIONS.

1.

N. 1500
1500

AND THEIR CHRO5

Superstructure
Filled mastaba.
Plaster.

Offering niches.
.

Enclosure

6
7

Conclusion

2.

Substructure,

Types of
3.

substructure
relations

Chronological
cemetery.

of the tomb types and the divisions of the

Stairways intro-

Wooden
this period.

roofs earlier than corbel vaults.

duced in
stairway.

Corbels without entrance

later

than corbels with

Chronological order of tomb types.

Chronological divisions
8

of the cemetery
4.

Chronological order of the different tombs of each type.

Material for the chronological order.
small

Subsidiary graves.

Duration of
9

wood-roofed type
Large wood-roofed type

Large wood-roofed type without stairway.

with stairway.

Large corbel vaults with stairway

Small closed corbel vaults
.
. .
. .

10
10

Small corbel vaults with entrance.

5.

Theory of the development of

Thread of development
chambers.
Stairway.

the types

n
Additional

13

in the large tombs.

Imitation.
at

The

corbel vault.
1500

Corbel vaults

Abydos.
14

6.

The

date of

Cemetery N.

Y
Chapter V.
1.

Contents.

DESCRIPTION OF TOMBS.
Unclassified

P"'
'5

Tombs
burials:N.
1538,

i8

Wooden box
N.
1635, i53(5a.

1538a, 1582, 1531a.

Basket burials:
(I),

Mud box
1592,

burials

: N.

i6}6'?,

1646, 1525

1535, i6oi.

Other
2.

burials

: 1535,

164$, i59'' ^5^^^ i52i> ^^5^^

i<^53.

Wood-roofed tombs with

single

chamber
i<^43,

18

16

Group a:N. i(J47, N. 1501, Group b Group

1(^28,
i(Ji8,

KJoyP, 1^34, 1525,

i6vj,

^53^^, ^^3j ^^^5, ^^^1-

c N.
:

KJ38,

1^44.
1^32,

\6o6y 1604, i<^497

1616,
1531,
1(^29,

i<5^5o,

KJoya.
i<^37,
i<5^4i,

Group d : N.
3.

1(^51,

i<J4i,

i54i,

1529,

i52o.
. .

2735 Large tombs with end chambers and wooden roof (no stairway). Chambers. Roof Burial. Superstructure constructed after burial.
Bricks and brickwork.

N.

1533,

1532,

150^,

i(Jo8,

\6zi,

1614.

4.
5.

Large tombs with end chambers,

wooden roof and

stairway.

N.

1581, 1512

3540

Large tombs with corbelled roof, end chambers and stairway

Description of corbel vault.

....
Plastering.
(or 1526),

4056

Groin or rounded corners.

Superstructure.

Wooden
1514,
1515,

logs
1513,

over doorway.
1584,
1572,

N.

1585,

1571

i5o5, i525.

6.

Small tombs with corbel roof and entrance

Description.
All in northern part of cemetery.

56

6}

Damaged by Coptic

graves and sebakh digging.

Surface of second dynasty 50

100 cm

above

present surface.
i5i9, 1548,
7.

Imitation of large tombs.

i522,

N.

i5n, i5i2, i5i3, i5i4, 1562,

1633,

1630, 1523.

Tombs

consisting of a single chamber,

closed corbel vault

...

6}

Probably intrusive in Cemetery N.

8.

1500,

N.

1623,

N.

1640.

Addenda.

N.

1^39,

N.

1585.

Chapter VI.
Chapter VII.

THE EXCAVATION OF CEMETERY

CEMETERY
Situation.

N. 3000
Chronological order
shafts.

54-65
65-67

N. 3000

Types of tombs.
Plundering.

Date of N. 3000.

of the tombs.

Denudation.

Fourth dynasty
Coptic

Old
grave.

Kingdom

grave.

Middle

Kingdom

grave.

communal
3000

Modern
Chapter
VIII.
1.

quarries

and

kilns.

DESCRIPTION OF TOMBS IN CEMETERY N.

Single chamber,

.....
. . .

67

wood-roofed tombs.

N.

3052, 3054, 3003, 3011.

5769
69
71

2.
3.

Wood-roofed tombs with Wood-roofed tombs with

additional chambers.
stairway.

N.

3016

71

N.

3062, 3071

72
77
82

4.
5.

Corbel vaults with stairway.

Small corbel with entrance.

N. N.

3017, 3013, 3031

72
3053, 3015
.

3012, 3022, 3014,

77
.
.

6.
7.

Indeterminable graves.
Pottery and

N.

3001, 3002, 3055, 3024, 3051, 3023

mud box
N.

burials.

N.

3018, 3061, 3091

85 85 85
82

8.

Burials in holes.

3025, 3019, 3092, 3150

8687

Contents.

XI
Page

Chapter IX.

BURIALS IN CEMETERIES N.
Preservation.
Burials

1500

AND
left

N. 3000
side

87-90

contracted on

head south.

ComCofifins.

parison with burial position of other periods.

Wrappings.

Continuance of predynastic

burial customs.

Chapter X.

POTTERY
Kinds of forms
clay.
I

90-99
Types of
pottery,

predynastic prototypes,

later

Types XXIX.
99-iri
variety

Chapter XI.

STONE VESSELS
Abundance and
of stone
vessels.

Comparative table of
Kinds of stone.
predynastic proto-

numbers and forms of stone and pottery

vessels.

Method of manufacture.
types, later forms

Types of stone
I

vessels,

Types XXVI.
112-114
flint

Chapter XII.

FLINT IMPLEMENTS
Degeneration of
working.

Types of
I

flint

implements, predy-

nastic prototypes, later

forms

Types V.

Other protodynastic types.

U4-117

Chapter

XIII.

COPPER IMPLEMENTS AND ORNAMENTS

Value of copper.
1.

Types of implements and weapons, predynastic prototypes and

forms

later

Types IV.
I

Date of the

earliest

copper implements.

List

of recorded examples, large and

2.
3.

small.
sites.

List of ornaments

and other objects from predynastic

of copper weapons.
fully First

Summary.
ments.

First use

use of copper implefirst

Use of copper

developed in the

dynasty.
117-119

Chapter XIV.

BEADS, BRACELETS, TOILET DISHES &c

Characteristic ornaments of the protodynastic period

hammered
Amulets.

metal

strips,

stone bracelets, tube-shaped beads.

List

of beads.

Bracelets.

Cosmetic

dishes,

&c.

Chapter XV.
1.

WRITING
Cylinder Seals
Seals
at

U9-I2d
119

122

Abydos.

List

of

seals

from Cem.

1500

and 3000.
Titles.

ComNine

parison with the

seals
2.
3.

Abydos

seals.

Reversal of proper names.

from one tomb.

122

Potmarks

Writing Writing from private

graves.

122

iz6

Origin of the hieroglyphic system.

Radical differences

Foreign origin without foundation.

between cunei-

form and hieroglyphic systems.

of hieroglyphic writing in Egypt.
hieroglyphic system.
predynastic
paintings
Basis

Explanation of the sudden appearance

Ideographic character of the earliest

of the hieroglyphic system found in the

reliefs.

and

Symbols of gods on predynastic

vases a primitive

form of hieroglyphic writing.

j^jj

Contents.
Page

Chapter XVI.

SUMMARY
Burial

12^-135

customs

unchanged from

predynastic

times.

Differences

between the objects of the predynastic and the protodynastic periods

due to mechanical inventions.
and the
fine

Comparison between the predynastic

of copper,

early dynastic graves, flints, use

common

pottery,
articles,
arts.

pottery, stone vessels, slate

reliefs

palettes,

mace

heads, toilet

weaving, painting,

and writing.

Continuation of the old

arts.

Products of certain old

arts replaced

by products of new

Copper
Stone

implements, stone vessels and writing the marks of the early dynastic
period.

Useful objects and traditional objects in the

graves.

vessels replaced

by wheel-made pottery

in the third

and fourth

dynasties.
effect

Useful objects and ceremonial objects in the same graves.

The

of copper-working.

The

Egyptian

race

and

civilization

continuous

from the

earliest

predynastic period.

APPENDIX. BASIS FOR

DATING TOMBS OF THE EARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD.

137138

Date of the tombs in El-Amrah, El-Kab, Naqadah and Ballds,

Third Egyptian Dynasty.

LIST

OF TOMBS

in numerical order with

all

references to each

tomb

139

142
kJo

DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PLATES

Corrections
.

143159

I.

THE CEMETERIES OF NAGA-ED-DR.

a

AT

point about one kilometer north of the village of Naga-ed-Der

in

spur of limestone
ravines.

lies

advance of the main limestone

is

wall, separated
(PI.

from
i

it

by deep

On

the

top of this spur

the ruined

tomb of

Sheikh Farag

s.).

At present the
and

river washes

the base of the spur.

Between Sheikh Farag and the

village,

the edge of the desert slants

away

from the

river, bearing generally southeast (locally called kubli "

south

"),

is

broken by three

large ravines

opening on the cultivation

(PI.

1,2,3).

The
separate
it

surface of the top of the Sheikh Farag

promontory
a

falls hill

away from the edge to

de-

pression about one hundred meters wide and then rises to

high

overloolcing the ravines which cemtury

^''*'

from the main

cliff.

This depression has received

deposit of gravel and debris of

varying depth, and contains

twelfth dynasties.
period.

number of
hill

shaft graves

and mud-brick mastabas of the eighth to

The
all

slope of the

behind the plateau contains rock-eut tombs of the same

in

These have
of the

been grievously plundered

first

both ancient and modern times.

there
is,

From

Sheikh Farag south to the mouth of the

in front
cliff,

ravine,
river,

at

present,

no

gravel slope
era.

owing to denudation by the

as far as

perhaps during the Christian

The

fece

of the promontory,

the

first

ravine,

once contained tombs cut in the rock which

have

now been almost entirely removed by The mouth of the first ravine is about
is

quarrying and by natural denudation.forty meters wide; but,

a

on the south

side,

about
first

cemetery

twenty-five meters of this distance

occupied by

gentle alluvial
it

slope.

This slope was

used

as a

cemetery in the second and third dynasties, although

fifty

contains one prehistoric burial.

Later this second dynasty cemetery was buried by from

to seventy centimeters of debris

;

from by
a

its

own

superstructures and from the sides of the ravine above

and

it

was then covered

cemetery of the sixth and seventh dynasties which extended northwards up the south-

eastern side of the ravine and was added to in the eighth to twelfth dynasties.

South of the

first

ravine,

just
cliff

as

at

the north
cultivation.
burial

of

it,

there

is,

at present^
cliff rises

no

gravel
cemetery

slope between the face of the steep slope, the

and the

But the face of the

pits

in a very

lower part of which contains

of the sixth to eighth dynasties,

part contains rock-cut

^f^nlrf

covered with rough rubble mastabas or mounds.

about the same period.

The upper

tombs of

This cemetery of the sixth to eighth dynasties extends up the

sides

of the second ravine

cemetery

and over the low

alluvial

alluvial

mound on
graves.

the north side of the

mouth of

the ravine.

The
is

top of the

mound

contains pit tombs of the sixth to seventh dynasties and,

mixed with

these, a great

number of narrow Coptic

The

side

of the

mound

along the ravine

lined with

chambered tombs of the tenth to eleventh dynasties, cut

in the hard gravel.

Between the second ravine and the

the cultivation and rises in
Early Dynastic Cemeteries
I.

third ravine, the

limestone

cliff lies

farther back
i

from

two

terraces with nearly perpendicular faces

(PI.

bottom

picture).
'

I.

The Cemeteries of
cliff is

NAGA-ED-DfeR.

The bottom of

the face of the higher

is

about forty meters from the top of the face of

the low er cliff and

separated from

it

by

a steep slope.

From
its

the base of the lower

cliff,

low limestone shelf slopes out to the of

this

cultivation, about

one hundred meters away. The surfece

edge
is

shelf

is

covered with

a thin layer

of gravel and

concealed by

low

alluvial

strip

about ten to twenty meters wide, composed of

a

strata

of sand, gravel and black

soil.

On

the south, this shelf rises to

third ravine

low limestone
alluvial

hill

(marked

on

PI. 3 b)

separated from the

by

broad low
slight
\\

mound of

deposits.

The

shelf and

its alluvial

border are

furrowed by three

ater channels
PI. 2).

and thus divided into four irregular tongues of desertdeposit

at
first

land (see Frontispiece and

the second ravine
is

The

alluvial

the tip of the

first

tongue south of

occupied by a cemetery of the

3000).
a

and second dynasties (Frontispiece

and
and
cut
CimHtry

PI. z, PI.

I,

being
is

Cem.

The

base of the second tongue tip (marked 2

on Frontispiece
shelf behind

2)

occupied by

tomb complex of
cutting

the fourth or fifth dynastyj the tip has been

for

away

by

modem

quarrymen

limestone

lime -burning.
(PI. 57a,

The

thcsc

two

tips is

continuous and bears

a field

of small mastabas

fore ground) of the

3

^""

sixth to eighth dynasties

together with some

New

Empire

pits.

The

third tip (marked

on

Frontispiece and
Ctmtttrj

PI. 2)

lies

further back than the others, as

its alluvial

deposit has been cut away

|jy natural

forces.

Its

slope contains a cemetery of the sixth to eighth dynasties with a few

later pits (xd^).

ctmtury

The

fourth tip (marked 4

hill

on Frontispiece and
b)

PI. 2),

which

in fact clothes the

a

bjse of the limestone

(marked

on

PI. 3

on

the south of the shelf, contains

cemetery

of the

first

and second dynasties (Cemetery

1500).

The

limestone

hill

itself

contains rock-cut

tombs and brick mastabas of the twelfth to twentieth

dynasties.

The
Ctmtttry

face of the

first,

or lower,

cliff

behind the limestone shelf described above, contains

plundered rock cut tombs without incriptions.

The

slope from the top of the

first

cliff

to

too

the base of the second contains chambered tombs and pits of the sixth to twelfth dynasties.

The

face

of the second

cliff

contains rock-cut tombs of the sixth dynasty.

Four of these have

scanty inscriptions and reliefs but without any great interest or beauty.

The
Ctmttry
,md^ol>

alluvial

mound between

the limestone
ravine.

hill

and the third ravine (mentioned above) forms

part nearer the cultivation contains a cemetery
a

thc north bank of the

mouth of the

The

of the second and third dynasties^ the middle part,

nasties,

cemetery of the third and fourth dy-

and the upper part

cemetery of the
is

fifth

and sixth dynasties.

alluvial

'-^"^^

The

south bank of the third ravine

also

an

deposit, about

twenty meters wide.

Nearer the

cultivation, this deposit contains pit

tombs of the twelfth dynasty and on the edges

chambered tombs of the tenth to eleventh dynasties.

cemetery (Cem. 7000).

The upper

part contains the predynastic

Beyond
dered.
lies

the third ravine are rock- cut

cliff lies

tombs

in the face

of the

cliff all

completely plun-

In front of this

the village of Naga-ed-Der.

And

to the south of the village

the present day cemetery of the Copric popularion of Girga.

The work

of clearing the south side of the

first

ravine and the slope

between the

first

and the second ravines has been carried on by Mr. Mace. The work on the field between the second and the third ravines has been carried on by myself. And the work south of the third has been in charge of Mr. Lythgoe. The results obtained from these different cemeteries

II.

Cemetery N. 1500.

3
a

will

be published in separate volumes.

burial customs, types

The whole of

these taken together will give

in the Thinite

review

of the

of graves and funerary offerings

nome of

indisputable

historical continuity

over

period extending from the earliest

late

known

predynastic times to the

end of
volume

the Middle
will deal

Empire with the exception of the

predynastic period.

The

present

with the early dynastic cemeteries between the second and third ravines.

II.

CEMETERY

N. 1500.
hill

CEMETERY
above.

1500' occupies the alluvial

slope at the base of the limestone

which forms

the southern part of the limestone shelf

between the second and third

of hard gravel, sand,
,

ravines, described

This

alluvial

slope
PI.

consists

of
12a).

strata

soil
first

and loose gravel, of

various thicloiesses (see

nd and

In this slope during the

,

and second dynasties

large rectangular pits

of

ctmtury I 'I and

some

50 graves

were made, the most important of which consisted of

a

z'^-zywa^/.

containing mud-brick chambers and covered by

mud-brick superstructure.

Later,

in

the

period of the middle and the

base of the limestone
hill

new

empires, that part of the slope within ten meters of the

a

was covered to

depth of from o cm. to 100 cm. with debris thrown P'<""^<rt(^

andcovered
hill.

out from the rock-cut tombs of the limestone

debris that the older
of-

It

was

clear

from the continuity of

this with Ntw

2b'r7t

tombs beneath

it

had, with the exception of the holes

made by
Empire.

multitude
is

Coptic graves (50 of N.

100

cm. deep), not been touched since the

New

This

par(see

ticularly true
pi. 23 a, b),

1581;

and therefore N.

1581,

which had been completely plundered

was plundered before the cutting of the

it is

New
New
a

Empire tombs above.

Thus

to the

events in the history of the slope,

necessary to add the fact of at least one plundering ot

the tombs of the ancient cemetery, in or before the

plundering,
it is

Empire.

On

the analogy of similar

a

probable that

this

took place within

hundred years (perhaps within

year)

after the burials

were made.
site

In the Christian era the

pointing west, cut up
XVIII aj

was used

as

Coptic cemetery

and narrow Coptic graves

copHc

more or
and
cj

less all

the vaults and superstructures (see especially Plates xxviii b^

"""'^^

xxiib

C} XIII a

and xivb).

Furthermore the surface received

a certain

amount of

debris

from these Coptic

graves.

Subsequent to
\6y]

this time, the

outer part of the slope was eroded by the Nile (see N.

it

\$^\t Emsion by

and

1541).

The

date of this erosion can not be fixed with any certainty; but

must by

'"

noted

that,

according to the chief

men

of the

village

of Naga-ed-Der, the main channel of

i8(5o

the Nile ran close along the eastern desert no longer ago than

18(^5.

At

that time, for

some ten

years, the waters of the river

washed the base ot

this alluvial slope

leaving Girga

high and dry about

half a

kilometer

from the western bank.

During

this

or some similar
a

period, or perhaps during several similar periods, part of the slope, apparently
part,

very small

was carried away.

Quite recently, within
fifty

years, the

decayed brick and

mud

plaster

of the ruined corbel

sebah

vaults in the
'

northern part of the cemetery attracted the attention of the sebbdhin.

in this

When

"^"^

This means that the numbering of the graves

cemetery begins with 1501.

They run

to 165O;

but

some numbers were not used.

HI.

The Excavation of cemetery

1901,

N. 1500.

arrived

on

the

site

in

February

the

surface

of the northern two thirds had been

torn to pieces by these people.

a half to

Over each of

the large brick vaults was a depression one and

two meters deep.

The

spaces between were strewn with heaps of gravel from the

sebt^i sieves, bleached

Coptic bones, and archaic potsherds.

a level

The whole

northern part of the

first

cemetery was thus denuded to

Plates u

from 1030 cm. below

that of the

dynasty (see

and m).

During

this sebaft digging, antiquities

were occasionally found, according to

tar a as
I

Ae

villagers i

but they were not systematically sought, so

In that year, the whole
site

can ascertain, until the

summer of

1900.

was invaded by
villagers

band of thieves from Arabah

dig

Madlunah (Abydos).
Quarrels arose.
Antiquities; and

Their example stimulated the

to

on

their

own

account.

The

matter was reported to Mr. Quibell,

his part

Inspector of the Department of

illegal

prompt action on
damage was done.'
was
also

suppressed completely the

this

proceedings be-

fore any great

During

raid
a

from Arabah Madlunah, the slope confew Coptic graves had been turned up,

taining cemetery 1500

tapped;

but after

the spot was abandoned.

lyoi

Thus, when our work began, the southeastern part of the slope rested under the debris of the rock -cut tombs of the new empire. The middle third of the slope was badly cut to pieces by Coptic grave-diggers and sebbJjtdin; but patches remained in which the old first
dynasty
level,
a

covered by

15

denuded to

level at least 10

30 cm. of 30 cm. below

debris,

remained
the
first

intact.

The
level.

northern third had been

dynasty

III.

THE EXCAVATION OF CEMETERY

been made simultaneously, at cemetery 2000 on the north
at

N. 1500.

THE
at

investigation

of the Naga-ed-Der cemeteries was begun in February

side

1901.

After

trial

clearings had

of the second ravine,

cemetery 2500 on the north slope of the second ravine,

cemetery 1000 on the third land

tongue, at cemetery 700

on the upper

part of the northern alluvial bank of the third ravine and at

it

cemetery 500 on the lower end of the same bank,

spot and
it

was determined to begin

at the last

named

work over
at

the

site

moving northwards.
owing to the

After this bank had been cleared

as far as

was possible

that time

necessities

of our photographic methods, work was

begun on the next point to the north,

the undisturbed southern end,
it

cemetery
pits

1500.

Here while digging Coptic graves

in

was noticed
debris.

that the stratum in

which the skeletons rested

was not gebe/ (mother earth) but

Following out

this clue, first

N.

1512

and then N.

1581

were cleared by descending into the main

from above.

The

great depressions, to the north,

also

which atterwards proved to be vaulted stairway tombs, were then cleared

photographed and emptied of their contents.

from above,

Then

the stairways and surroundings of the large

tombs were

cleared;

and

at

the same time the smaller tombs were uncovered.

a

In 1902

3,

the

cemetery was worked over

structural details
'

second time with especial attention to the photography of the

and of the superstructures.

of this plundering

The proceetb

were seen

in

the possession of dealers in antiquities at

Keneh and Cairo

in

1900

2.

IV.

TYPES OF TOMBS

CEMETERY N. 1500 AND THEIR CHRONOLOGICAL RELATION.

IN
1.

Superstructure.
fulfils

THE
two

Egyptian tomb, in

all

periods including the present one,

two

functions,

that

of

a burial

place and that of an offering place.

invisible,

Every Egyptian tomb, therefore, consists of at

least

parts,

an

or concealed, place for the protection of the burial and

a visible,

or

accessible, place for the presentation

of the offerings to the dead.

The one

is

always underground^

the other, usually above ground (superstructure).'

In the predynastic period,

we

have

found

as

yet

only the merest traces of reed or

In the
first

wood
is

superstructure to mark the place of the burial (N. cem. 7000).

dynasty, there

the

Menes tomb of
1500

Nagada'^ with

its

elaborate superstructure, and the

tombs of our cemeis

teries

and 3000.^

In cemetery N. 1500, wherever the first dynasty surface

preserved,

remnants of superstructure have been found.

sufficiently to

Unfortunately

this

surface

is

preserved only
(PI.
11

show

fi-agments of the superstructure of three large

tombs N. i$o6

a,

bj,

N.

1581

(PI,

2zb, c) and
is

N.

1514 (PI. 28 c,

d).

'

The

exception

the chambered tomb, beginning in 4

'''

dynasty.
burial
;

In this type,
is

the solid rock

or gravel knoll must

be thought of

as the superstructure;

and the ofiTering-chamber as well as the

chamber

hollowed out of the rock or of the hard gravel.

The

front is levelled off to represent the facade of an ordinary raastaba

and the

interior,

sometimes even to the roofing

logs, is cut in imitation of

mudbrick or stone constructions.

'

The Menes tomb with

view of the

its

burial

chamber above ground appears

Mr. Garstang's excavation
in

to be an anomaly.
1

Ever since 1901,

that there are

we were

convinced that the

real burial
'

chamber must be under ground.

904 showed however

no under-ground chambers.
p.
1

In

fact that the substructures of the

Naga-ed-D6r tombs were copied from the Royal tombs at Abydos (see

below),

the presence of superstructures at Naga-ed-Der suggests that there

at

were

similar superstructures

at

Abydos.

The

plans of the royal tombs

Abydos suggest

that the subsidiary tombs

may have been

make
still

just

outside, or under, the outer walls

of a superstructure.

The presence

of

the wealherworn stelae, both royal and private,

royal stelae

more

for the
is
still

assumption that there were superstructures.

significant, as Prof. Petrie
(i)

And

the fact that the

i

were found

in pairs

on the surface on the east side

more

has pointed out, R. T.

p. 6.

But the

reasons are invalid which Petrie gives for assuming that there were no superstructiu-es, namely:

no trace of debris from a superstructure

was found; and

been
(I)
left

(2)

the stelae

were much sand-worn.

Petrie thinks that

if

there had been a superstructure, at least

some debris would have

facts.

and moreover
built

the stelae

would have sanded up before becoming weather-worn.

(or of stone)
1

Neither of these grounds can be justified by

That a well

superstructure whether of mud-brick

may

disappear utterly under the attacks of natives seeking building

at

material or sebah, is
thefl of material

shown

conclusively by the condition of cem.

(2)

500 and by what has happened

stelae in the

Abu Roash
this

in

the last ten years.

at

Similar

occurred anciently also at Gizeh.

There are

cemetery excavated

year by us

Gizeh on the outside

of big stone mastabas

collect in the

which show even as great weathering as the Abydos

between the mastabas but blows
in

stelae.

Our experience there shows

in

that sand does not tend to

is

streets
It

and

out.

Furthermore the sand

the
all

Gizeh cemetery
in

almost entirely in the

upper stratum.

began to collect after the cemetery had

fallen into

decay and indeed

flat

first

of

the closed hollows in the surface of decay

In that Petrie
is

and

in the

chambers of the mastabas.

An

isolated upright obstacle

built pile of brick

on a

surface does not collect sand in Egypt.

right.

But neither does a rectangular, regularly

only
in the

or

masonry

collect sand.

There
(3)

is

no sand collected about the pyramids but

at

closed hollows about the sphinx and portal temple of the second pyramid.

There are stelae

(partial),

Gizeh standing upright on the

valley faces of mastabas (complete),

stelae are

which are

in all stages

of denudation.

G. 1021

(partial),

1018

1045 (complete),

1025* (complete), 1044

1042 (complete).

This denudation took place before the sanding up of the cemetery.

in ancient

Therefore both back and front of the

weatherworn.
(4)

When,

times,

mastaba was denuded

etc.

for

its

brick

or stone, the offering niches

were as a

rule left

undisturbed.

The

weathering of stone walls, stelae,

at

Gizeh took place during the sanding-up of the cemetery. The greatest damage

was done

at the surface line

of the growing stratum of sand where small particles of sand were blown against and along the face of the

stone like a small sand-blast.

In

view of these considerations,

I

it

seems extremely probable that the royal tombs

that the

at

Abydos were covered with

superstructures,

probably of mud-brick.

would

like

to suggest therefore

Abydos tombs were covered with mud

by the
and the collapse

brick superstructures with

two

offering niches of stone on the valley side.

The mud

brick walls

were

partly denuded and partly let dovim into the substructure anciently
theft of brick
01

leaving the stelae standing.

The

inequalities of the surface caused

the substructures were

filled

with sand

in

which process the stelae were weatherworn.

IV.

Types of Tombs.
i5o<J,
1581

The
Above
and south

fragments of the superstructures of

is

and

1514

show
its

similar

characterestics

the subterranean burial pit

(as

rectangular mastaba with

ca. 45 east
is

long axis running north

mastaba has thick outer

understood

locally,

really

of south).

The

walls of mud-brick, with a slight

batter and
like

filled

with gravel or rubbish.

This super-

structure

is

not oriented exactly

the substructure j and in the case of 150^ could only

have been

built after the substructure \\as

1581

covered over

(i.

e.

after the burial).

In the cases

of the stainvay tombs,

stairways are
filled,

and

1506, the difficulties

of construction, the manner in which the

the stairways,

the absence of

wooden coverings over

stair,

and the point

at

which the enclosing wall crosses the

that the superstructure
oftriMg

all

taken together lead to the same conclusion;

was

built after the burial.'

The
(see PI.

outer faces of the mastaba,

on

the southern side,

a series

on the

valley (western) side

and

probably also on the northern side, are broken by

II,

of simple and compound niches

part

22

and

28).

It

is

noteworthy that in the one case where

1581),
it

of the desert

(eastern) face

was preserved (N.

contained no ruches.

In no case was any part of

the northern face recovered.

It is

uncertain whether there were

more than one simple niche

square conforming to the
is

between every two compound niches or not.

size

These niches
one

are

of the
a

bricks.

That

is,

each face in the interior of the niche

a

formed

in

one case
is
i

by half

brick, in another

by

whole brick so
i

that in
i

case

the small niche

brick

wide and \ brick deep,

is

in the other,
i

brick wide and

brick deep, while the

3

compound niche
2 bricks

in

one case

\\

brick wide and

brick deep, in the other

bricks

wide and
But

deep

(see are

map and
covered
is

fig. 65).

In

no

case

was the top of the niche preserved.

as all later

niches
as

at the top,^

these must also have been covered with

wood

or stone.

And

stone
like

otherwise not used in the construction of these mastabas,

it is

probable that the niches,

the

doorways of the substructure, were roofed with small branches with the bark on.
the mastaba was built a plain wall parallel to the faces of the mastaba and at
it

Emhsur,

Around
a distance

of from 50 to 100 cm. from

(see map).
it

It

was not possible to determine the

all

height of this wall.

a sort

But whatever

its

height,

formed an enclosure

around the mastaba,

itself

of courtyard which prevented encroachment of other tombs on the mastaba

and

intrusion

on the ceremonies of presenting the

offerings to the dead.

The
it.

floor

of the enclo-

sure was beaten

wall was broken

mud

laid

on the

desert and plastered.

a small

In one case (N. 150^) the enclosing

by an entrance which had

oval platform about

burials;

Under
burial.

the enclosing wall of

burials
1582;.

N.

i50(J

were two

under

that
1506^

of N.

1514

was one

These
1538

were either contemporaneous or previous to

and

1514

respectively

(see

N.
'

and

There

is

even more definite evidence to

tlie

same conclusion

in

the case oi
built after

the

later

mastabas N. 761 and N. 742.

This, of

eoorse, does not justify the conclusion that the superstructure

period.

was always

the

burial,

either in this period or in the succeeding

is

Large tombs
first to

like

the royal tombs

may have been prepared

at

beforehand.

But the statement

certainly true of

all
in

superstructures

of the

sixth dynasties
it

which

we

have excavated

Naga-ed-D4r, and

in all

the tombs of the early fourth dynasty

in larger

Gizeh

Wady.

In other

words,

is

probably the rule for poor tombs and

may

often

have been the case

tombs.
In these cases,

" S78f 579; N. cem. 3500 numerous cases; G. or a stone slab

In
is

W.

numerous cases, especially G.

is

W.

24 and 72.

a single brick

used to roof the niche or a mere vertical mark

made

in the plaster
in

with the finger or the hand (G.

none of these

earlier cases, is there

any attempt

to

copy the wooden beam

stone or mud.
at Gizeh,

But the

later

tombs

in

W. 39 and 62). Gizeh Wady (G. W. 19

tree

asd 33) present example of the wooden beam copied

in stone.

In Covington's

tomb

the niches

were roofed with

branches.

IV.

Types of Tombs.

7
Piaster

The

outer faces of the mastaba, the floor of the enclosure, and both faces of the enclosing
first

wall are plastered

with

mud

and then with

pinkish-white lime plaster,

fine
is

and smooth.
painted red.
tv<-/ixi

In addition, the inner niche of the

compound niche

in the face of the mastaba

Such was the superstructure of the tombs so

in
all

far as

preserved.

In view of the fact that

the other tombs in this cemetery the old surface was destroyed and that in cem. 3000,

the one case where the surface was preserved

showed there

also a similar superstructure,

it

becomes well nigh

certain that

all

the large tombs of these cemeteries, and probably also the

It is

smaller ones, possessed superstructures of a similar type.'

unfortunate that these superfinal

structures are not preserved because their relative positions

would have given us

con-

clusions

on the chronological order of

all

the tombs.

As

it

is,

we

are forced to rely solely

on

the evidence of general position and types of substructure.

2.

Substructure.
cemetery 1500
is

The
state are

burial place

of

all

tombs

in

rectangular pit or chamber sunk in

logs or branches in a natural
a building material.^

the desert and lined with a mud-brick construction.

Wooden
as

used

as

accessory material.

Stone does not occur

fall

All the types of substructures in cem. 1500

into

two main groups,

vault.

(A) structures

^>'^" 'f

roofed with wood; and (B) structures roofed with a corbel

divided as follows:

These groups may be sub-

'

A.

Tombs
1.

with

wooden

roof.

Entered from above.

a)

Small tombs with

single

chamber.

For examples, see below

p. 10.

b) Large

tombs with more than one chamber.

(3016).

N.
2.

1506, \6z\, 1624, 1508, 1532, 1533

Entered fi:om the side (stairway).

a)

Small tombs

do
as
(i.

not occur!

b) Large

tombs with more than one chamber.

1581

N.
B.

1512,

(3062, 3071).

Tombs
1.

with a corbel vault

roof
closed corbel).

Entered from above

a)

e.

Small tombs with a single chamber.

N.
b)
2.

1(^23,

1640 (see cem. 700).

Large tombs

do not occur!
incline).

Entered firom the side or end (stairway or

a)

Small tombs with a single chamber or with rudimentary corner chambers.

N. idii,
b) Large

1612, idi3, i5i4, 156^2, idip, 1(533,

i<5^3o,

1648, KJ22 (3012, 3014, 3015, 3022, 3023, 3053).

tombs with more than one chamber.

1514,
1515,
1513,

N.
'

1571,
I

1585, 1584, 1572, 160s, 1626 (3017, 3013, 3031).

easily explained

The only

fact

found

in

Cem.

SOO which might be more

this

on the assumption that there were no superstructures was

it

the contiguity of 1572 and 1571.

that the

Even

does not preclude absolutely the existence of a superstructure to IS/I; but makes

probable

owner of 1572 was

to

a relative of him of 1571 and restored, while building the superstructure of his
(see also

own

tomb, whatever damage

he

may have done

'

1571

3013 and 3071).

Rough limestone

slabs are used

however

in

Cem. 3000

to support the corbel

where

it

crosses the angle of the wall.

IV.

Types of Tombs.

3.

Chronological relations of the tomb types and the divisions of the cemetery.
It

must be remembered

that

the

wood-rooted grave with mud-brick

etc.),

lining

occurs in

the predvTiastic period (ei-Ahaiwah, Ballas, N. 7000,

but not in any

known cemetery

subsequent to the third dynasty.

wmJim
j^tais

Further the single chambered corbel vault without an entrance

not

known anywhere
the wood-roofed
1500, the small

earlier than this

cemetery; but

it

occurs regularly in the poor graves

It
is

of the third and fourth dynasties (N. cem. 700; G. W.; Reqaqnah).
{\)

therefore certain

***"**' that

tombs are
\n

in

general earlier than the corbel-vaulted tombs.

Now

in

cemetery

ood-roofed tombs never have an entrance on the side and the large
it

wood-rooted tombs have

in only

two

cases.

At

the same time the large corbel -vaulted

tombs always and the

*y'ox incline).

small ones usually have an entrance

on the

side or

end (with stairway

We

may

therefore conclude that (2) in our cemetery the stairway

tomb

is

later

ta,

than the totnb without a stairway or incline}

Further there are but two corbel vaults without an entrance in this cemetery,
apparently intrusive.

'"**'

both of them
later

They

are like the 4"' dynasty corbels of cem. 700

and are probably

JJ^^than
i^ 'y
tfrtrls

the rest of the cemetery.

All of the corbels

(3)

which

are certainly

contemporaneous have

side or

end entrances. Therefore

it

the closed corbel is later than the corbel with entrance?

Or, to put

simply,

we know

the wood-roofed tombs without stairway in the predynastic

a

period and the corbel

it is

tomb without

stairway in the third and fourth dynasties.

Therefore

a priori probable

that the genesis

of these different types of tombs

is

in the following

chronological order:
Onmrbgi.

A.
A.
B. B.

1.

Wood-rootcd tombs without Wood-roofed tombs with

entrance.

^emuit *^,*^

2. 2.
I.

entrance.

Corbel-vaulted tombs with entrance.

Corbel-vaulted tombs without entrance.
2 is in

That type A

our cemetery actually

later

than

and

earlier

than

2 is

shown by
2)

their relative positions in the cemetery.

The wood-roofed tombs

earlier

without an entrance (A

hold the middle line of the

site

with the other two groups one on the south and the other

on the

north.
I,

Further that type

A2

is

than

2 is

shown by

the presence of pottery

of types
in
CMrmujivintm

II

and XXVIII in
2.

1512

pottery

types which occur in tombs of type

but not

tombs of type B

The map of the cemetery shows

part

that the large

wood-roofed tombs

are

all

in the southern

of the cemetery, while the large corbel vaults are with one exception in the northern

^,^

part

of the cemetery.

That exception

is

corbel vault

N.

i6i6

which
it.

is

manifestly intruded in the

southern cemetery and later than the wood-roofed tombs about

the

At the only point where

as

two groups of tombs touch, corbel

immediately in front of
It will

vault

N.

1514 is later

than wood-roofed N. 1505, being

is left free,'^

built

it

yet so that the entrance to the enclosure of i$o6

is

be ahown

in

another place that the stairway in the long axis of the tomb

later

than the

stairway, here referred to,

desceiultng from the side.

We

have been unable to trace a direct historical connection between the corbel with entrance and the closed corbel.
in

type

with a (tone roof intervenes

the Naga-ed-Der cemeteries (500, 700, 3500).

building
of
later

This phenomenon the

mastabas

in

front of earlier

ones but leaving the entrance to the offering place free

ocean repeatedly

at Gizeh.

IV.

Types of Tombs.

if

it

were

still in use.
it is

Add

to this that

all

but three or four pottery types are

common
to
it.

to both

groups, and

clear that the

northern part although later than the southern part as demanded

is in

by the chronological order of types established above,

immediate succession

4.

Chronological order of the different tombs of each type.

are a

There
tombs
1.

number of small groups of tombs

is

in

which the

relative dating

of the different

Afattrui

in the

group

clear

from
roof)

their relative positions, as follows:^

is

chnmohgi-

\so6 (large

wooden
wooden wooden
corbel)

earlier than 1514 (large

corbel).
roof).

Referred to above.

'o/rtr
different

2.
3.

\6z6 (large corbel)

\6v]

is

later

than 1508 (large

wooden

Referred to above.

(small

roof)

is
is

older than 1585 (large corbel).

later

4.
5.

\6\6 (small
1572 (large 1572 (large 1572 (large

roof)
is

than \$6z (small corbel with entrance).

(large corbel).
(large

later

than
than

1571
1513

6.
7.

corbel) corbel)

is is

later

corbel).

earlier

than

1(^05
is

(large corbel).

8.

1648 (small corbel with entrance)

1584 (large corbel)
i^ip (small corbel
i5i3
is

earlier

than 1^05 (large corbel).

corbel).

9.
10.

later

than

1514 (large
is

with entrance)

later later later

than

i5i8 (small
1(^14 16^14

wooden

roof).

n.

(small corbel with entrance)

is is

than
than

(small corbel with entrance).

(small corbel with entrance)."

12.

1552 (small corbel

with entrance)

Chronological order of tombs of Type A.

Just as there
are

i. a.,

small wood-roofed tombs.

Subsidiary

family complexes of small tombs in the third and fourth dynasty and

family mastabas in the fourth to sixth dynasties, so there are family (or subsidiary) complexes *''"

about the royal tombs of Abydos.

plexes as at

At Naga-ed-Der, the
clear that the small

subsidiary

tombs are not

large

built in

com-

Abydos
it,

and yet

it

is

tombs around any

is

tomb

are con-

temporary with

provided that the difference in orientation

not too marked and that the small

tombs

are not in a position,

1^17

which would

interfere with the superstructure of the large

1586).

tomb

(for

example,

cannot be contemporaneous or immediately after

On

the othet hand, a large

tomb might
example,
1605 with

occasionally be built in the midst of and regardless of older, smaller

tombs

(for

1586^
its

cutting off the older

(?)

tombs

i(Ji7,

idi8

and

1501

from the southern cemetery and

entrance cutting across the entrance of 1648); and small tombs might be crowded
large

into
still

empty spaces between older

tombs

(for example,

i(Ji(5).

Keeping

this in

mind,

it

may
in

be assumed that in general the small wood-roofed tombs in the older southern cemetery

are older than those in the later northern cemetery.

spite

That

this small

wood-roofed type was,

of the prevalence of the corbel

is

vault,

still

in use for

poor graves
15^2'''

in the period
(see d. p. 10).

of the northern

cemetery,

shown by
less

the relation between

N.

\iS\6

and N.

To sum
but becomes
'

up, the small wood-roofed type occurs during the whole period of the cemetery;

Duration
,maii
Tooad-

frequent in the later half of the period^ and those examples of the type which
each case the description ol the tomb below.
to

For

details of the evidence see in

roofed type

1562 appears from the contents (stone vessels, pottery and seal cylinder)

be contemporanous with 1605

one of the

latest of

the corbel vaults.

Earlv Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

IV.

Types of Tombs.
are probably older than those sub-

arc subsidiary to the large

sidiary

tombs of the southern cemetery

to the large

tombs of the northern cemetery.

this

Without any pretence

as

to finality,

have made an attempt to divide the tombs of

type chronologically

given below.
solely

The

tombs contained so
relative positions

little

pottery or other objects that

their relative darings.
this

we

are forced to rely

on the

of the graves for

Moreover, once the general conclusions

on the duration of the type have been reached, datings of the tombs of all importance,
a.

very paucity of material deprives the relative

1647, i62, 1607 p, 1634, 1525, 1643, 1531P, 160}, 162s, 1627;
1501,

b.
c.

1618,

1617,

1638,

i<J44}

1606, 1604,
i6i6,
1531,

1649,

KJ50, i6}2;

d.

1629, 1515 X,

i64h

>54.

i<^37>

<54i>

15^9'

"^i-

Large wood-roofed

type without

a stairivay, A. i.b.
are,
as

The
large

large

wood-roofed tombs without stairway which

cemetery extend from the

shown above,

the oldest

tombs

in the

SW corner diagonally across the mound to the NE.

would expect the
sites.

It is difficult

to determine the order in such a case, though one

crest

earlier

tombs

to be

on the

of the

mound on

well separated independent

The

order

may have

been, judging from the positions: 1506 (on the crest of the slope),
i5o<S

i<52i,

1(^24,

i5o8, 1533, 1532.

and

1533
is

contained the same types of pottery.

On

account of the small number of tombs,

the order

of

little

importance.

Large wood-roofed tombs with stairway, A.

It is
first.

2. b.
is

immaterial which of the

time, without

two tombs of
any very

the wood-roofed type with stairway

to place
1512

dated
1581.

At the same

definite reason, I prefer

before

Large corbel

vaults with stairway, B. i.b.

The map shows

the middle one,
1571,

us

at

once

a line

of three tombs of the large corbel-vaulted type with

stairway, running along the crest of the

is

mound,

that
1515

is,

occupying the primary

1514 are 1514
later.

sites.
1515

Of

these
is

probably the eldest, while

the

and

Beyond

there

no room

for a large

tomb on
1513

mound, while south of

the ground was already occupied.

1571

The next two tombs

tombs.

and 1585 are therefore in front of and behind

respectively.

The
earlier

remaining three tombs,

1584, 1572

and of

i(Jo5,

are

all

smaller

and manifestly

built in
1571

among

N.

1584 cuts the stairway

1514.

N.

1572

occupies the stairway of

1571

and opens to
in

the north, apparently to avoid

1513.

The

superstructure of

mus^t have

been damaged
1572

the building of

1572.

(Whether we

are to infer

from
1571,

that that the

owner of
was
at

was

a relative

of him of

1571

and
it

rebuilt the superstructure

is

of

or whether
\6o<y

1571

the time of 1572 an

abandoned tomb,

not possible to decide.)

1571

And
and

cutting the stair of 1572 must be later

than that tomb and therefore later than

intruded into the southern cemetery,
sites in

1513.

\626

is

clearly the latest corbel, being

at that

time certainly abandoned,

after

all

the free

the northern cemetery had been occupied.

1571,
1515,

The

order of the large corbel vaults with

\6os

stairway appears to be then:

1514, 1513, \^%6, 1584, 1572,

and

\626.

IV.

Types of Tombs.
i. a.

J(

Small corbel vaults with entrance, B.

These combs appear to be
in the spaces

entirely subsidiary to the large corbel vaults.

They

are situated

between these
is

large

tombs and on the extreme

corbel idoj.

NE

edge of the cemetery.

One
large

of them,

1648,

earlier

than the

late

Those which

are situated

between the

corbels are therefore probably nearly contemporaneous with while those

slightly
earlier
later

on

the outer edge are

(?)

than the large corbels.

idii,

That

is,

1^48,

1633,

15^2,

\6^^

and

1630

are

perhaps

than

\6\z,

1(^13,

1(^14

and

1519.

Small closed corbel

vaults,

B. 2.a.
1523^

Only two of
this type.

these can be recognized, \6xi and 1641, though

are

may

also

belong to

Both these

probably contemporaneous with certain fourth dynasty tombs of

1500.

cemetery 700 and are therefore not properly to be considered with the other tombs of

5.
All
that

Theory of
is

the

development of the
religious

types.
is

which

concerned with any

this
is

or funerary practice

protected by

certain conservatism;

and

especially true

of those things which are considered

therefore
.

essential to

the validity of the practice in question.

When

we

find a thing like the substructure

of

tomb, preserving
its

its

function of protecting the dead and the funerary furniture and yet
it is

changing

construction rapidly and radically,

manifest that the construction of the subIts

structure was not protected

by any

religious consideration.
practical

development must therefore in T/mad /

ox\.u.pr,u,u in

the

first

place have been based

on

and technical grounds and in the second place

imitation.

The
that

motives for the development were no doubt the desire for security to the burial

""J,"lf

and, as wealth and technical ability increased, the desire for larger and

more

ostentatious tombs.
the develop-

Thus

it is

we must

look to the large tombs in order to get the

main thread of

ment, for they are the tombs of those

able to secure the technical

who most

desire security

and ostentation and are best

the small tombs are
possible
utilize

means of obtaining

their desires.
that

And when
as far

taken into

consideration

we must remember
all

they will

as

the

imHation

technical successes of the large

It is

tombs and copy

their ostentation.

therefore in the largest of

tombs, the royal tombs, that

15

we might

expect to find the

practical

best material.
limits, as to

The tombs
size,

B.

10,

B.

and B.

19

at

Abydos had about reached the

of the wood-roofed, single-chamber, mud-brick substructure.

The tombs of
AddUunai
it

Zet, Zer and Merneit obtain an increase in size

by short cross

walls

which form small chambers

around the
in

inside,

and brace the main walls

as

well as support the roof.

Now

is

clear that

our large tombs the cross walls of the end chambers are not

really necessary, either to brace

1533

the main walls or to support the roof.

Further the small doors in

are

not necessary to reach

the chambers to which they lead while the marks indicating doors in \$o6, 1^21, 1^24 are purely
imitative (or symbolic, which, in this case,
is

the same thing).

In other words these tombs contain

at that place

unnecessary features copied from features of the royal tombs of Abydos which
a

have

technical raison cfetre. If we

remember
all

that the site

of Abydos

is

visible

from our cemetery and

that the builders

of our tombs had in

it is

probability seen and certainly had heard of the

its

tombs of

Zet,

Zer and Merneit,

impossible to escape the conclusion that type A.i.b, with

end chambers.

12
MKZS built in imitation

IV.

Types of Tomps.

of those royal tombs.

These

additional

chambers, having their origin

pottery,

in the solution ot" a structural difficulty,

were immediately
this

utilized as receptacles for

stone vessels, offerings, etc.

And

in

our cemetery,

secondary use of the end chambers had

in the stairway type
at

become
with

fixed as their proper function.

So we

find

end chambers retained

2.

wood

rootj A. 2.b, the stairway type with corbel roof, B.

2. a,

b,

and even

times in the small

in

corbel, type B.

w here

finally

the chambers had

(i(fn,

become merely rudimentary,

some

cases

hardly capable of taking a smgle pot

3022, 3014).
It

The next
reference to

step in advance

is

the introduction of the stairway.

does not require any

it

Abydos
in

to

show

us the utihty of that invention, though

first
is

was no doubt the

tomb of Den
equally
great.

which the stairway was

like

used.

and entering tombs

that

of Merneit

obvious.

The great difficulty of approaching The difficulty of construction was

construction
usefulness of slope
a stair

or
in

stair;

and

it

The excavation must have taken place by means of a may have been this construction slope which suggested the
At any
rate,

the finished tomb.

the origin of the stairway must

have

been based on
it

the difficulty of constructing and entering large

tombs from above; and once originated

as
1512

would
its

be copied universally in large tombs, even though not so large

utility.

Merneit, on account of

And

it

is

clear that the

a
real

stairway in our large tombs

and

1581

and in the large

corbel vaults
It

fiilfils

function, that of giving convenient access to the burial chambers.

in that
it

has

however one other advantage

fer as

permitted the tomb to be roofed

burial

iand

made

ready as

the substructure
in the

was concerned before the

case

was made.

And

that

was ot
burial

great advantage especially

of the corbel

vault in preventing
it

damage to the

and the

burial ftirniture
all

during the roofing. Indeed

would have been

difficult to finish these

large corbel vaults at

without having access to the interior. In the case of the small corbel,

however, the stairway or incline has no great value.

They were made

thus, simply because the

corbel roof was copied from the large vaults in which the stairway corbel had
fashion;
Tt

now become

the

and the stairway was copied with

for,

it

down
at

to the

wooden branches
is

roofing the doorway.^

rtrM

So

the thread and the cause of the development

is,

fairly clear.

But the next step the

It

***

introduction of the corbel

at first sight

any

rate,

more obscure.

must however be

remembered

that the

wooden roof was

cases
(1532

in reality only the bearer, the support of a

1533)

mud

or

mudwas

brick roof that in

some

was

at least

ten to fourteen courses thick.

It

apparently
rain,

this

solid

mass of brick work which was relied on to protect the grave from

plundering, etc.; and the tendency to increase the thickness and stability of this protecting
is

brick-work
is

seen in the introduction of

wooden
seven

logs as a second roof higher

up

(1505, 1581).

It

quite clear that in such a mass

of brick-work an accidental corbel vault might

after

in the

most
ca.

favorable

aircumstances

be

formed

or

eight

courses of the ordinary brick

28x14x7 cm (30x15x7 cm), so

weight of the mass above
brick roof supported
"

that usually the

wooden roof
less

did not have to bear the whole

it.

Yet wood
is

rots faster than sun-dried

mud-brick; and

mud-

by wood

less stable

and

enduring than
,

a corbel.

The

corbels 1584

When,

in

cemeteries 500, 700, 3200, the large stairway corbel had disappeared
far

we

find the

underground part of the large tomb

WM
maO

dumber

hollowed out of the solid rock or gravel

underground, often lined with brick-work, and closed with a huge block of
slabs

tooe, and the underground part of the tmall

imttativc

tomb was a deep pit lined below with mud-brick walls roofed with sUiray eorbel had disappeared along with the large stairway corbel.

of stone.

The

IV.

Types of Tombs.

and
still

1586^

(being less exposed to the moisture of the overflow owing to their shallowness) are

tolerably preserved while

no

stick

was found of

wooden roof which had any weight

burial than the older

to bear.

Therefore the corbel vault certainly gave greater security to the

wooden roof and was on

that account universally adopted for large tombs.

is

The None of
too

first

use of the corbel vault discovered in Egypt

in the large

tombs

in cem. 1500.

the small corbels,

so early as

N.

1571,

1514

known anywhere, and 1515. The corbel

it

here, at el
vault

Amrah

or

at

Reqaqnah,^ can be dated

was too clumsy, the make-weight required

a

much
rain

brick-work to make

a practical

roof for

house, where merely shelter from sun

and

was required.
rain,

This

fact that the function

of the house roof was merely protection

against

sun and
I

makes even the use of heavy brick-work supported by wood seem improbable.

Personally

think the ordinary house roof at this period was a simple

posts.

wooden

roof^ plastered

with

mud

and supported, when necessary by wooden

is

The

first

evidence of the use of any

at

other roof in buildings above ground

in the chapels

of the mastabas of the Cheops cemetery

Gizeh

(especially

G.

1203)

where the roof was the ordinary barrel-vault so common

In brick-work,
it

in the later

periods both for houses and substructures.

in any building above

know of nothing approaching a

corbel

ground

in Egypt.

And

wood-roofed tombs

led,

by some mishap to

may be that the use of the stairway in the large the wooden roof, to the discovery of the accidental
different

corbel in the brick-work above and suggested the use of the corbel vault alone as a practical

roof But the corbel may have been discovered in some very
to

way; and

it

is

impossible
in the

hope to reach

definite

conclusions in the case of the corbel vault any

more than

case of the true vault and the barrel vault.^

question that

at

once suggests

itself is

where

is

the prototype of the corbel vault at

its

corbti

Abydos.

Considering the date of the corbel vault and

stairway,

succession to

the

wood -roofed

"^^^^^

tomb with

one would expect to

find the corbel vault used in the

tombs of Khasekhemui

and Perabsen.
Khasekhemui.
vaults

And I am convinced that the corbel vault was actually used in the tomb of The crushing of the walls due to moisture is perfectly typical of all our corbel
in

and occurs
T.

none of our wood-roofed tombs

(see Petrie, R.

T.

II p.

12).

Furthermore

the decrease in the size of the chambers both in this

(Petrie, R.
is

tomb and

in the

tomb of Per-absen
of the early
Icings")

II p. u,

"row of
as

small cells separated

a

by cross walls
in
a

like those

significant.

The tombs
I

whole show no decrease

different

size;

the chambers are

however

smaller,

site

because,

believe, a
It
is

roof was used,

corbel vault, in which size ivas

as for as

sacrificed to security.

unfortunate for this question as well

so

many

others that the

Abydos

should have been delivered over to such incompetence

was manifested by Ame-

lineau and to the rapacity of the speculators

'

who
p. 34,

financed him.'
seem
to

The El Amrah tombs, b

137, b 178, see Maclver,

El-Amrah

be of the type

2a, as found in cem. 3000.

At Reqaqnah
R. 68, 57,

(Garstang, Third Egyptian Dynasty) the closed corbels R. 56 and 07 are nearly contemporaneous with the Seneferu-group (61

64,54):

58 and 72 are contemporaneous with the large

'

4*

dynasty

(or later)
4'''

mastabas: the barrel-vaults R. 80 and

in

HO

are

still

later (S'f' dynasty?).

The

true vault in brick-work

is

certainly used in the

dynasty and probably earlier but only

or by hand until the key-brick

passages where the vault could

be held up either by cohesion (according to Mr.

slanting courses secured

Howard

Carter)

was

in place.

The

barrel vault with

its

the

same

thing,

i.

e.

the slanting courses supported themselves until the sides of the

key-brick

%'ault

were so

close

together

above that they could be supported by hand

vault built without a center (or frame).
'

until the

was

in

place and so permitted the arching of a wider space than the true

Much has been

be
properly
is

said

of the
,

violence

ol

Petrie's

language on this subject.

to

But

it

is

necessary that such work as Amelinean's

understand
the
bitter

should
of

characterized

by those who are competent

judge.

And

only an excavator can

feelings

one who

a witness to such

mad

destruction of priceless material as Prof Petrie

saw

at

Abydos.

IV.

T'iTEs OF Tombs.

At any
cemetery

rate, the

use of the corbel vault with stairway immediately succeeded that of the
stairway in the Thinite

wood-roofed tomb
1500,

\Nith

community which buried

all

its

dead in our
small

and indeed almost to the exclusion of

other types.
a

Even the

wood-

roofed tomb

fell

more and more

i<5ii

into disuse and

p.
12).

was replaced by

miniature copy of the large

this

tombs

(cf.

especially

and see above

At

first

the

doorway of
a

small

stairway

corbel was roofed with

wood

like

the large corbel; but after

time, the

doorway even was

covered with
cem. 3000
(i.

corbel,

not
6.

in cem. 1500 but in the

contemporaneous and immediately succeeding

e. 3022, 3014, 3012).

The
first

date of cemetery N. 1500.

When
and
Ballas
(i

the cemetery was

discovered, the pottery, while distinctly different from the usual

Ballas

predynastic pottery

known from

and to us firom our excavations

at Shurafa,

el-Ahaiwah,

mile north of Petrie's cemetery) was seen to be similar to the pottery from later

prehistoric

graves' at el-Ahaiwah
fi"om the excavations

and

Ballas

and to be
at

identical

with certain pottery then in

at

the

Museum
it

of de Morgan

Negada and Amelineau

first

Abydos." There

was, therefore,
dividing
into

no

hesitation in dating the cemetery to the

and second dynasty and to

(2) that

two

general periods:
I

(i)

that

of the

earlier

wood-roofed tombs and,

Petrie's

of the

corbel vaults.^

When

found time to go over the publications from

it

work

at

Abydos

this general dating

was confirmed; and

in

became

possible to date our

(see Description

tombs more

exactly.

The

wood -roofed tombs correspond

contents

of tombs and corresponding

first

photographs) and in substructure with the tombs of the kings of the

dynasty

at

Abydos

The
at

corbel vaulted tombs are in immediate chronological succesion to these and correspond

in contents

and probably

also in substructure

with the tombs of the kings of the second dynasty

Abydos.

In the pottery of our cemetery there are certaui types

in the early

common

to both groups

of tombs and certain other types which occur only

group (Types

I, II,

XXII, XXIII,

XXVIII, leaving out types which occur only

at

in small graves).

The

evidence of the pottery

Abydos

agrees with that of our pottery.

The main
is

type in which the difference between

I pi.

the pottery of the

pi.

two periods

is

manifested
i

that

shown on R. T.
a degenerate

XXXIX,

7
VII,

and

XL,

12

(here, PI. 54b, 33

and 6^,

and

2).

This type does not occur

at all in

our corbel
31).

vaults

and occurs in the tomb of Khasekhemui only in

least

form (R. T.

II pi.

There cannot therefore be the

First

doubt that our tombs

late
first

are to be dated as follows:

dynasty (probably middle and

i.b.

dynasty):

Type A. Type A.
Type Type
'

1505, 1521, 1^24, 1508, 1532, 1533.

1512,

Synchronous with Zer, Zet, Merneit.

2.b.

1581.

Synchronous with Den, Azab, Mersekha, Qa.

Second dynasty:
B. 2.b.
1571,

1514,

1515,

1513,

1585, 1584, 1572,

1605,

\6i6.]

Synchronous with Perabsen,

Khasekhemui, or somewhat
later.

B.

2.a. 1611,1^12,1613, 1614, 1562, 1619, 1648, 1622, 1630, 1633.]

able
to subscribe to

While not
into

the details

of Petrie's

sequence dating, there can be no doubt that a division of his sequence

oiimben

an early, a middle and a

late period

would show
I

a reasonably close agreement with the facts

I

* I

had not seen

in

at that time Petrie's

R. T.
1

which appeared

believe in the

fall

of 19CX).

See report

the Archatehgifal Report

901.

15

V.

DESCRIPTION OF TOMBSJ
1.

Unclassified tombs.
a

IN
box

different parts

of the cemetery, there were

number of

small

tombs which for one reason

or another could not be assigned to any of the types described above.

burials in

Most of

these

were
in

wooden, pottery or
rest

mud

coffins,
as

two were under

large boulders,

two were

baskets and

the

were so plundered

to be indeterminable.

Most of

these belonged

to the earlier part of the cemetery.

In addition, the position of three of the

in 1538 a

wooden boxes

under enclosing walls of

large

tombs and the pottery found

and i6oz seem to mark

these burials as being for the most part as early as the wood-roofed tombs."

IVooden box

burials.
^""^
in
^

Underneath the enclosing wall of the superstructure of \^o6 were found two graves (kjS, 1538 a) of a peculiar type which were manifestly either older than 150^ or contemporaneous
with
it.

wooden '""'

Under

the enclosing wall of 1514 was found

(1531a).

similar grave (1582).

fourth grave

of the same type was found further north

N.153S.

Partly
a

under the west enclosing wall of N. \so6 was found

wooden box

containing only

few scattered bones. The wall of 150^ (marked

fig.
I

in

by

'^^

shading) rested
ca.

on the top of the

high so that the

coffin.

The box was

42

cm

level

of the receptacle was only about 45

suriace.

cm
on

below the ancient

The

receptacle was

formed by
the east,
(i

thick wall (i^ bricks,

40

cm
a

thick)

bonded with the remains of

thinner wall

brick thick)

on the north.
a

On

the west were

the remains of

wall \ brick thick.

There was
;

-^^i'-^L. YvV.i .?.-.^-.

-_

..-

.^-

yg. ^' ^J"-^^^J^.^G^JU<^

I

no south

wall} but 20

cm

south of the inside of

1538
a.

N. 1538,

:50.

the south end was the north end of

The wooden
covered outside

box, measuring 102

x 58 x 42 (high)

cm, was made of boards 2V2

cm

thick

and

at least,

with pink

plaster.

The manner of
?).

joining at the corners was not clear.

5

The

boards of the bottom were held together by two cleats

8

x 2 cm

in section, placed cross-

wise about

cm from

each end (pegged on

side,

Outside the coffin on the east

M. 1538a.

were found

5 flint-core

marbles and

small

flint (PI. 40'').

An
filled

exactly similar burial except that there were

as

no

brick walls around the box.

The box
of 150^

was plundered,

above, and

filled

with

dirt.

The

enclosing wall of 1505 rested on this dirt-

box nearly the whole length of the box

ca. 2

(PI. 14^).

The

plastering of the wall

reached out for

cm on
of

both

sides, resting

on

dirt, so that it

was impossible for the

box to have been shoved under the

wall.

The

skeleton had, like

1538,

been badly disturbed.

The box was

*

like

that

1538,

measuring 100

x 58 x ca. 60

(high).

In the plans, the double

The

single

2 unless otherwise stated. barbed arrow -< marks the direction, magnetic north in the winter of 1901 barbed arrow -' marks the direction of the photograph whose plate number is written on the shaft. Solid black represents parts, brick-work.

wood, shaded
*

N. 1585 a pottery coffin roofed with stone

was

later,

see Index of Tombs.

16

V. Description of Tombs.

At the north end \n as found a pot (type v about the lip, finger marked on the body.
M.1SS2.

3)

of the ordinary coarse red ware, smoothed

An
bonded
v^all

exactly similar burial under the west enclosing wall of 1514 (PI. 17*).
wall,
built
1

Enclosed by

brick thick

on
of

east

and north, i brick thick on south.

On

the west side, the

was

of bricks on edge, plastered.

like that
1538,

The box was

In
alabaster
(PI. 14*')

measuring

120

x 58 x ca. 50 high.
with
a

The bottom was of

the
jar,

threeboards, ca. 4

cm
a

thick,

cleats.

SW
type S

comer was found

1

skull

and

cylindrical

d.

Outside the coffin on the west side were

xviii)

found fragments of an alabaster bowl (type S

(kid?).

and
.

Coptkl

few small animal bones

On

N. 1582,

-.50.

the east side, shoved under

the wall were other small animal bones (kid?).

M. I5a.

A
a
bit

rectangular
coffin

well

of

mud

brick containing

wooden

situated
1531 ?,

between an unexplained
which
was
an
ordinary

of wall

and

small

wood-roofed grave.

Axis 48 east of south.

like 1538

N.
but

1531a

was completely plundered was only plundered

walls

and

1582,

1531?

slightly
1531a

around the B
are i brick
fit

head.
thick

The
all

of the well of

^~

stretchers

bonded

at

comers, and

the

box righdy
the wall

as if built

around the box.

The

top of
N. 1531, plan and section,
50.

shows print of reed matting and some

3.
i
:

remains, proving that the box and walls were cove-

red by a mat.

On

top of mat on the north end was one course of bricks. n5

The wooden box measured

overlap the ends.

x 65 x5s

(high) cm,

made of boards

cm

thick

The sides

Basket burials.
N.MS5.
1512,

Next
was
a

to an unexplained wall

(cf. 1538),

possibly connected with superstructure of 1532 or

basket plastered inside and out with

left

mud.
in
a'

This basket contained

a left

arm,

lelt

pelvis

and

femur of

skeleton which was

left

contracted position
north.
It also

on the
a

side

with the head

contained

small pot of dull red-polished

brown ware

(see PI. 17').

5 fibres

The

basket

was made of
fibres

A-

bunches of 4 or
MMo.

woven together by two

fig. 4'').
16^35,

passing over and under fsee

M.

About one meter north of

(1536^).

was

mud box
a

In front of this

mud

box, nearly on
a

level

4a d.

N. 1635 and 1636, plan.

N. 1636, section,

SO.

with

its

bottom, were fragments of

mat, the end

it

of

radius

and one toe bone.

Under

was

mass of organic matter (bread?).

Above

in

the dirt was a fragment of a coarse

fibres

mud pan

(type xxix).

The mat
3

consisted of bundles of
like
fig. 4''.

bound together by two

fibre -twines passing

over and under,

The

twine

consisted of

two

strand loosely twisted: each strand consisted of

5 fibres

twisted together.

V. Description of Tombs.

Mud
>. 1636^.

box burials.^

Xhe mud box

south was
a

referred to under x6}6a,

a a

was placed longside an

wall.

earlier(?) wall.

On

the

fragment of
contained

contemporaneous (?)

Axis of box points 40 west of north.

The box
side,

skeleton (middle-aged male?) in a contracted position

on

the left

head to the north

(PI. ly'').
(i)

On
vertical

the skeleton was

lines

bowl of brown pottery, red painted,

lines (type xxiv**).

line polished in part

with

and in part with horizontal

v).
a

At the south end of the box,

This wall seems

were two pots (type

N. 1646.

niu(j

box alongside
1538.

wall

sunk beneath the surface.

in a hole

similar to the
1514

wall alongside

The box was

under the

line

of the superstructure wall of

east

but the superstructure had been cut away.

The
1514.

axis

of the box points 44

of north,

e.

parallel to the superstructure wall

of

The box
N. 1525.1.
N. 1536.

contained

disturbed skeleton

(PI.

1(5 ^)

contracted on the

left side,

head to the

east.

At the southeastern corner of the box was

rough pot (type

v).

Mud

box intruded into

a

1525,

q.

v. a

Fragment of
tracted burial

mud box

just

under the present surface containing upper part of

con-

on

the left side head east.

The
Coptic

corner of

a well

was

also preserved, walls 12

cm

wide,

all

stretchers, to a length
(i.

of 80

cm on
a

south side and 25

burial.

cm on

east end.

Axis 45 " east

of north

e.

local east).

Broken by

See

PI. 18''.
(PI.iS**).

Just south of the Coptic burial and belonging to 153d was a water-worn alabaster
M. 1602.
hill

A mud
where
it

box
turns

burial

wedged
to

in

among

the boulders
(see

on the extreme

eastern edge of the

NE
is

form the wady

Map and

PI. ij^).

The box

scarcely under the present surface.

It

was made of unbaked Nile mud, was 82

54 wide (height indeterminable) and had walls

cm long by 2 cm thick.

The

skeleton was contracted but disturbed and decayed.

jar

In the coffin was the cylindrical

outside, PI. 53*.
1.

no.

the others were

5.

N. 1602, pottery,

10.

Hard pink ware containing mud and

ashes, type xviii.

2.
3.

Brown ware painted red but faded (?) Red ware, painted red, line polished,
base, type v.

to a salmon pink, line polished, type xxiv.

type xxiv.
vertical scratches
5.

<J.

Coarse red ware, black center, smoothed wet around mouth,

on

Remains of

mud

in

4 and

5.

Mud

seal

on mouth of

Other burials.^

There were
M. 1535.

eight burials in

which no trace of
(i.

coffin

was found.
halt

Just under the present surface

e. ca.

40

cm

below) was the upper

of

contracted

skeleton

on
of

right side,
a

head to local south

(PI. 18^).

The

outline of the pit had

been destroyed.

The

legs

Coptic burial lay across the place where the waist of the older skeleton had been.
coffins

The pottery

164O. with the exception of 1585 were found in tombs of the regular types, see 1525, 1623 and

N. 1585 was

a grave of a

later type.
I.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

18

V. Description of Tombs.

In the dirt beside the burial were:

I.

slate

bowl, type Sxviii, see

(i.

PI. 50'=.

2.

An

alabaster

jar,

type Siu", see

PI. 50^.

Just under the present surface

e. 10

cm below) were

the disturbed leg bones with a few verte-

brae of a skeleton

which was apparently contracted on

left side,

head to the local south

(PI. 23=).

In the dirt just above were

M. IMS.

two
1514

slate bracelets (PI. 41'').

Outside the enclosing wall of

and

parallel to it ca. 100

cm
pit

deep was

a skeleton contracted

on

left side

head to the local east

(PI. iS**).

The

sides

of the

were not

clearly

marked

in the

debris ; but in the middle of the south side was an irregular mass of brickwork, ca. 80

x 50 cm
Vj
viii).

and 50

high.

At
iv

the foot and manifesdy belonging to the burial

were two pots (one type

die other type

of

light greenish material). In the dirt

was

fragment of alabaster (type S

.MM.

In

the

debris

of a small

pit,

which had been

a

broken by sebba^in or plunderers, were found

fragments of bones and
a small

few

well

worn

seal cylinder

of grey stone (see

a.isB.

PI. 43).

Under
of a
burial
1.

a large

stone were three potsj but

(Fig.

no

trace

was found

6 and

7).

Coarse pink ware,

PI. 53".
PI. 53
". 6.

2.
3.

Brown Brown

ware, red painted, line polished,

ware, red painted, dull polish,

N. 1522, plan and section,

50.

PI. 53*.

H.isn.

In the surface debris were:

1.

Cylindrical

jar,

coarse pink ware, red painted, PI.

line polished

53

2.

Fragment of red painted,

bowl,

PI. 53

.MO.
U.un.

Contracted burial on

left side, see

Map.
Map.

\
Near
surfece.

n^z^
/,
7.

\_^/?

Contracted burial on

left side,

see

n. 1522, pottery,

10.

2.

Wood-roofed tombs with

single chamber, type Group a.

A.

1.

a.

This group of tombs appears to be older than the other tombs of the same type,
they are in the older part of the cemetry,
(2)

(i)

because

because they are oriented

like the large

wood-

roofed tombs and pardy also

first

(3)

because of their contents.

The
state

tomb

to be described

is

1647,
it is

on account of
tombs
in this
it.

its

good
its

of preservation, and because

probably, judging by

burial
is

and

its

pottery, the

oldest of the

group.

There

no other tomb
.IM7.

in the

cemetery exactly
pit,

like

An
PL
15*'

irregular

oval

axis

35"

west of north, 350

laid

cm

deep,

wall.

^ At

Plastered inside with x\

235

cm of mud
on the
and
observed

on

the gravel

cm from

the bottom of the pit, a roof consisting of

gravel stratum.
plaster.
at

natural branches (or saplings) rested

These

branches were covered with

mud

brick

The

branches

were

rotten.
like

The
fig.

roof

as actually

west side of north

10''.
^

end was

io,

and was apparently

built like Fig.

n. 1647, plan,

i
:

so.

V. Description of Tombs.

19

The

burial

was contracted on
legs; left
ca.

left side,

head to the south.

with forearm between the

arm
i^

bent, with
thick.

hand

at luiee.

The right arm was extended The burial was in a wooden

box, the boards of which were

cm

When
hanging

the pit was opened, the roofing logs were found

the sides of the pit as if the roof had given

down

way

naturally

from the weight of sand above and

pit.

let

down
pots.

sand and gravel into the

for the

This

is

sufficient to

account

crushing of the coffin and upsetting of the

In addition the upper part of the south end was cut across

by

Coptic

burial to within 100

cm

of the
11

floor.
9.

The

pit
1.

contained five pots, see Fig.

N. 1647, section,

SO.

bowl of

soft red ware,

painted and
lines

line

polished.

The

polishing

are

horizontal

on edge

inside and out.

On

the bottom
to side.
2.

they run across from side

jar

of hard fine red ware with dull

red polish.

The

lines are horizontal

on
10.

N. 1647, section of roof.

shoulder and neck and vertical on body.

3.

5.

Three
of

jars

of coarse red ware with finger marks inside.

They

contain small cake

mud

in

bottom

(as if

mud

had been brought in

a small

them

for plastering and

all

except

remainder

scooped out with the hand).

N. 162S.

Irregular grave with curving sides, cut in the alluvial strata

with the axis pointing about

is

38 east

of south.

The

sand stratum

lined

on three

sides with a brick wall, ^ brick thick,

a

on

the
II.

N. 1647, pottery,

lo.

west side however with

wall

consisting of bricks

on edge

(i brick thick). Plastered inside

and on top of walls.

a

Roof

therefore probably like 1647.

side.

Completly plundered.
In
the

Cut by
of
dirt

Coptic burial on west

lower

deposit
pots:

were

found the
1.

foil wing

jar

of brown ware, smoothed,

(i.

painted red

e.

imitation hard
prehistoric

pink ware of
^
2.
3.

late

period).

A A

bowl of burnt mud.

fragment of waterworn
viii.

ala12.

N. 1628, plan,

5.

13.

N. 1628, pottery,

10.

baster, type Svii or

M. 1607 p.

small grave cut in the

alluvial

strata

to a depth of
PI.

ca.

100 cm.
15.

below the old surfece

part
is

with the axis pointing about 45 east of south,

with a wall, \ brick thick
(i.

W and
Of

Fig. 14,

The lower

lined
logs

e.

bricks

on

edge).

the roof traces remain of

wooden

S.

20
laid

V. Description of Tombs.

across the

top of the

lining

and

resting

on on

the
in-

hard
side

geM.

Plastered

and top of

walls.

Completely plundered.

North end cut by two Copts,

one on top of the
South end
tic burial.
15.

N. 1607, section,

other.
14.

50.

also cut

by CopN. 1607, plan,

I
:

50.

For 1607 a see below.

.MM.
180

A
cm

rectangular pit axis

G novel

08.45 west of north. About

deep, lined to height
Sand

of

ca. 100

cm

with

mud
all

brick wall, i brick wide,

stretchers (except one header

at a

NW

comer

to

even out
with
walls.

N. 1634, cross section,

50,

course).
inside

Plastered

mud

and on top of

Completely plundered. of which cuts through

Crossed by four Coptic burials one

17.

east wall.
pit,

N. 1634, pottery bowl,

10.

In the debris of the

1.

near the bottom were found:

Ten

black cylindrical heads like PI. 42 second string.

painted, line polished, Fig.
17.

2.

Bowl of brown ware, red

I. Utt.

A
of
170

nearly rectangular grave cut in the alluvial strata to a depth

cm

with the axis pointing 20 south of

a

east, PI. i6^'^>'^\

The
^^^^/yy^^y^^^y^^

sand stratum to

height of

125

cm

is

lined with a brick wall i brick

thick, plastered inside.

The

top of the lining has been destroyed

as well as the surface above.

But the roof was probably

like 1647.

There

is

no evidence on
grave
filled

superstructure.
dirt

The
two

with
i<J"'.

and sand, contained

coffins, see Plate

Coffin

was of unbaked Nile

mud

and rested

pardy on
the grave.

11

and partly on debris in the bottom of

In this debris, were pots belonging to Coffin

11

apparently in position.
trusive burial,

Therefore Coffin
in a hole
dirt.

is

an in19.

which was placed

dug in an

N. J525, section,

50.

older grave and then covered with

The
skeleton
'

lid

of box

was missing, the box was

filled

with

dirt

and contained

plundered

on

the left side with head to the north, 20 "east, see Plate i6^\

PL l6*

wM

nnfortunately reversed in the reproduction.

V. Description of Tombs.

2t
side

Box u
filled

is

of red pottery.

The

lid

was moved to one

and broken j and the box was

with

dirt like the rest

of the grave.

Flat limestone chips

were wedged between the box

and the brick

seen in Plate

lining
i5<=,

of the grave.

The

skeleton was contracted (the break in the spinal column

was made by

the head to the north, 20

1.

me to show the position east. The pottery found in

of the

left arm),
is

on

the left side with

the grave

represented on Plate 54*.

Bowls of red polished ware,

vertical lines inside, type xxiv (PI. 54

(PI.

above

29).

2.
3.

Bowl of red polished ware, type xxiv

6. Jars

54 above
(PI.

30).
25).

Jar of smooth red painted ware, type ix

54 between 24 and

4
7

of smooth red painted ware, type

used.

iv (PI.

54 between

23

and

32).

20.

Not

21.

Bowl of red

polished

brown ware,

horizontal lines
v.

on

inside

and on rim, type xxiv.

22

24. Jars

of red painted brown ware, type

of smooth red painted
light

25,

29. Jars

brown

ware, type

ix.

z6.

Bowl of

coarse red ware, with trimming marks

xxx**.

on bottom, type
27.

Saucer of coarse, burnt mud, type xxix.

30. Jars

28.

of smooth, light brown ware, type

x.

29.
30.
31.

See
See

25.

28.

Saucer of yellow limestone.

Jar

32.
33.

of smooth

light

brown ware, type

and

ix.
20.

Saucer of coarse
2

brown ware, type xxx* (Pk54 beside 27).

j

N. 1525, pottery,

lo.

Nos.

and

were on
itself.

coffin II

6,

21

32

were

in position beside it)

II.

and

28

31

were
dirt
N. IMS.

in the coffin
I;

All these therefore belong to coffin

Nos.

2(J,

27

were

in the

under

and

22

25

and

33

were

in the dirt

above the

coffins.

A
strata

slightly irregular grave cut in the alluvial

axis

with the

pointing about 18 south of

part,

west.

The lower

in sand

strata,

is

lined

with

a brick wall (i brick thick j consisting entirely

of stretchers one course overlapping the other

and plastered on the

inside

and top.

Of

the

roof, there are traces, ends of saplings

which had
N. 1643, plan and section,

been

laid across the

top of the brick lining and,

a

on

the south end, part of

jointed frame, see

Plate 13=.

The

surface has

been denuded, so that evidence

It
lies

as

to superstructure

is

wanting.

The
N.isnp.

grave had been completely plundered.

sebbal;iin.

near the surface in the part of the

cemetery dug over by

Similar to
1(^34

and nearly square.

Plastered inside and

Axis points 42 east of south.

Walls \ brick

thick,

stretchers

on edge.

on top of

walls.

Remains of
logs

at least

saplings
are

58 cm

in diameter laid lengthwise across top of walls.

Above

on north end,

remains of a

mud

brick roof

See

1531a (Fig. 3),

above.

22
Skeleton on
left

V. Description of Tombs.

side

head to the north, 42 west, epipheses not joined.

\\

Skull missing.

At neck
>.

scattered black and

hite cylindrical beads

from necklace, see

PI. 42, 2.

MM.

Similar to 1634.
ca. 155

Axis 45 west of north. Depth

below old surface.

Height of walls

ca. 60.

Crossed by three Copts.

Completely plundered.
a large

In the dirt were found:

number of

disc

P i

beads of grey stone and white

shell, a

univalve (cosPI. 42, 4.

I
A 45*
|w.ofN.
22.

W^/Z/Z/yf^/y

metic?) shell and one large shell (?) bead, see

M.MSS.

Similar

to

1634.

Axis

43

west

of

north.

Depth
ca.

ca. 100

below present

surface.
3

Height of walls
courses

N. 1603, cross section,

50.

40 cm.

Walls consist of

stretcher

of

bricks

on edge. Ends of three

logs of roof preser-

ved.
M.

Completely plundered.

Mn.

small

tomb very

similar to

1(^25.

Completely
23,

plundered.

N. 1625, cross section,

50.

Wood-roofed tombs with a single chamber, Group b.

M. i5fL

type

A.i.a.

Nearly rectangular grave, cut in

PI.
13"*.

alluvial strata

with the axis pointing 42 east of south,

The lower
at

part

is

enclosed by perpendicular

mud

bricks walls,

brick thick, bulging

inwards
inside

the side,

owing to pressure of sand behind, and plastered

walls.

and on top of

Around

the top of the wall are the remains

of

brick mass, at least five courses high, broken on the inside.

is

On

the sides, this brick mass

separated from the top of the wall by

wood rot; on the ends the wood rot extends in from the inside only Therefore there was 2i cm on the south and \ cm on the north. laid across the well and a wooden roof of boards or branches
covered by
at

least five

courses of brick.

Such

mass
a

laid

in the
less
full
24.

ordinary manner would form with the fourth course

perfect corbel vault so that the

more or

wood

roof would only bear the

six

weight of
is

six bricks

and the

partial

weight of

or seven more. There

N.

501, plan,

JO.

room

for eight courses

between the top of the

wall and the old surface.

There was no

trace

of

superstructure; but the surface was

much
the

disturbed.
dirt

The
found:

grave

was plundered.
bore black
seal

In

was

a small

cylinder (Plate 43), a

xvii), a

fragment of alabaster bowl (type S

ot an alabaster cylindrical
cylindrical keads (PI. 42, 3)
jar,

fragment

some

black and white

red, line

and fragment of

polished bowl (type xxiv).

H.iMS.

Similar to

1501.

Axis 45 east of south.

Walls
25.

i brick

thick, stretchers

with one course of headers

n. 1501, long section,

50.

V. Description of Tombs.

23
Ends of two
saplings

on top of
Plundered.
N. 1617.

wall.

Plastered inside and

wall.

on top of

walls.

of roof on

north east corner of

p------

---------

Similar to

1501.

Walls

i brick thick,

all

stretchers.

Top of wall plastered. Part of mud roof preserved on

north end. Axis points 39
east
N. 1618, section,
26.
l :

$0.

of south.
Completely plundered.

N. 161 8, plan,

50.

In the dirt a bit of a shallow

alabaster bowl. In the plas-

-^
MN

ter a bit

of

red pebble-

polished

bowl of brown
28.

ware.
N.
1617, plan,
1
:

50.

29.

M. 1638.

Similar

to

1501.

Axis

N. 161 7, section,

50.

42 west of north.
ca.

Depth
sur-

125

below present
(ca.

face

100

below

an

older surface, not ancient).

Height of
Walls,
I

walls

ca.

80.

brick wide double

stretcher

courses

with

a
.

header course about every

third course.

Copr
50

\
31.

Cut by

three

30.

N. 1638, plan,

N. 1638, long section,

50.

Copts. Completely plundered.

M. 1644.

Similar to

1501.

Axis points 50 east of north (or 50" west of south).

i

Below, the walls are

i brick thick; above,

brick thick.

Plastered inside and

on top of

wall.

IVood-roo/ed tombs with a single chamber, type A. i

a.

Group

c.

The tombs of group

of the same construction

c are substantially
as

the tombs of

group b; but they are probably subsequent

in date because they are in the later part

of the cemetery and oriented

like the large

tombs near by.

N.

i(5o(J

may be

taken as

the best example of the group.

N. 1606.

Rectangular grave cut in

alluvial strata,

with the

axis

pointing 50 east of south.

is

The lower

part

enclosed by

perpendi-

32.

N.

bob, plan,

$0.

33.

N. 1606, cross section,

50.

24
ciilar

V. Description of Tombs.

well with walls

stretcher

brick thick, plastered inside and

on

top.

The
z,

wall

is

built

of over-

lapping

courses

(two bricks
i,

laid

side

by

side)

with an occasional header course.

3,

On

the east side, courses

12''

6 and

lo are

headers while courses

at least

4, 5, 7, 8, 9,

11

and

12

are

stretchers, see PI.

and

Fig. 34.

The

roof consisted of

twelve

saplings or limbs laid across the tops

15

of the walls and extending about

saplings vary

\/ / / / / / / /
'=:i:

cm beyond

them, see
the south

PI. 12".

The

from

10

to

18

cm

in

diameter.

On

end were
burial.

traces

of brick work above the logs,

the west side, at a height of
cf. 1501.

partly covered
ca.

by

Coptic

On
fall

30

cm

above the

wood was
on
left

a bit

of rough brick-work,

I.

1.

The
certainly

skeleton was crushed

contracted,

by

of roof and decayed but was

side,

head to the south.

North of the

34-

n. 1606, brickwork.

skeleton upside
18

down on

the floor was an alabaster bowl, type Sxvu"*, height

8,5

cm, diameter
cf.

cm.

In the dirt were

two pots of
on top of

fine light

red ware, type

1/2

x, see PI. 54''

all

and

N.

1525.

.MM.

Similar to \6o6.
lapping.

Axis points

37 east

of south. Walls
See
PI. 14
''.

brick thick,

stretchers, over-

Plastered inside and

wall.

The

brickwork was unusually regular.

Two

Coptic burials

were pardy over the walls

but did not cut them.
Burial, part

of back

bone and

ribs

of young
35.

skeleton clearly contrac-

N. 1604, plan and cross section,

36.
l
:

N.

1604, brickwork.

50.

ted

on

left

side,

head
fall

to local south.

Bones crushed (by

of roofj and decayed.

At

the neck were blue glaze,

camelian and green stone beads (see

PI.

41*) and a small bore black seal-cylinder (see Pi. 43).

.MM.
V.

Similar to 1606.
lapping.

Axis points

ca. 37 east

of south.

Walls i brick thick

all

stretchers over-

Plastered inside and

on top of

walls.

Empty.
'

MM.

Similar to \6o6.

Piece of alabaster
a

jar

(type S iv

?)

was on south

wall.

In pit were frag-

ments of rotten wood (roof?) and

H. Mtt.

few badly disturbed bones,

see PI.

Similar to \6o6.

Axis points 52 east of

thick,

south.

Walls

one brick

top

course
walls.

headers; plastered inside and

on top of

Traces of logs on top of

N. iMTo.

walls.

Plundered.

Similar to \6o6.
15.

Axis 47 east of south.

See Figs. 14 and

stretchers.
walls.

Walls i brick
inside

thick,

all

Plastered

and

on top of

^7

n. 1632,

pUn and

section,

i
:

50.

In the dirt, an alabaster jar of type S

and some Coptic

glass beads.

Wood-roofed tombs with a single chamber,

type

A.

i. a.

Group

d. (idi5, 1631, 16^29, 1651)

The tombs

of

this

group

differ

from those above in orientation

and

in situation (1^42, i54r, 1^37,

1(^41,

1529, 1^20).

V. Description of Tombs.

25

N. 1616.

Similar to 1606 but with the axis pointing 32 east

of north (or

32

west of south).

The

walls are i brick

is

thick, stretcher

courses except the top course which

composed of headers, doubling the width of the

the top.
Plastered inside and

wall at
38.

on top of

walls.

Traces of

N. t6i6, long section,

JO,

wood on
of top of

south end.
walls.

Surface denuded to within 20

cm
the
side
39'*.

The northwestern

corner of the well

156^2,

cuts

into

of the doorway and the door-block of

see 1562 and PI.

PI. Lb:

Resting on the floor were the pots in

1.

Rough
see

dish of coarse

brown ware (mud).

ware.
ware.
32

Mark

inside,

fig. 39.

2.
3.

Jar of red painted

brown

Jar of red-painted

brown

M. 1631.

Similar.

Axis points
all

32 east

of north (or

west of south).
39.

Walls i
N. 1629.

brick,

stretchers.

Plastered.

N. 161 6, pottery,

lo.

Similar to 1606. Axis points

45" east of north (45 west of

south) walls i brick

stretchers.
lings

thick,

all

Marks of
side

fallen sap-

on north

and ends

of 4 saplings preserved on top of

walls.

Plastered inside and

walls.

40.

N.

63 1, plan and cross section,

SO.

on top of
ware, type
M. 1651.

In corner in

position, a jar
IV.

of smooth pink-

Similar

to

\6o6.

Almost
:

entirely destroyed
H. 1642.

by sebba^in.
Axis points

co|,t

Similar to
34 east
thick.

1501.

S^^^^^^i^^^k
4i.^^N.

D
i
I
i
:

of south. Walls i brick

Plastered inside and
walls.

on

1629, plan and cross section,

SO.

N. 1629. pot.

top

of

At

the

ends,

remains of roof consisting of

saplings

covered

with

heavy

mud

plaster.

Plundered}
burials.

and

cut by
M. 1541.

two Coptic
1501.

Similar to
28" east

Axis points

of south. Walls i brick

all

thick, inside

stretchers.

Plastered
walls.
I.

and on top of

At

N. 1642, long section and plan,

So.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

26
the northeastern

V. Description of Tombs.

comer

are traces

of wooden
burial.

roof.

Cut by Coptic

Completely plundered.

The

old

surface

and the walls have

been cut away, slanting from top of north wall to half way down
the south wail, by the action of the river,
H. IM7.
N.
r54i, plan and long section,
i
:

50.

cf. 1534

and

1637.

Similar to
57 east

1501.

Axis points

of south.
all

Walls i brick
except top
ot
N. 1637, cross section at

thick,

stretchers
is

course
headers.

which

composed

Plastered inside and

side).

on

45.

and

plan,

50.

top of wall (west

Traces
top

^^j^

^oc

of logs covered with of the west

wall.

mud on
river

Cut away by
to
M. iMi.
1541.

similar
46.

N.

641, plan and long section,

$0.

Similar to
21' east
thick.

1501.

Axis points

of south.
Plastered

Wall
inside.

i brick

Surface

denuded.
M. I5.

Plundered.
to
1501

Similar

but

nearly

square.

Axis

points

49

west
thick.
47.

of north.
Plastered

Walls i brick
inside.

Trace of

of roof on north side

In dirt
at

mud about 50 cm

N.

1529, Plan and cross section,

50.

above top of

wall.
23'')

the north end just above floor (see PI.

were

found fragments of human bones and the following objects:

1.

Limestone cup, diameter 9 cm, height 6 cm.

Alabaster bowl, piece missing, diameter 25 cm, height
8

2.

cm.

3.

Jar

of

fine

pink ware, diam. 8 cm, height

15,5

cm, PL

54''.

48.

N. 1529, stone vessels

4. Jar

of

fine
10

pink ware,

and pottery,

10.

diameter
27
N.

cm, height

cm,

PI. 54''.

MM.

Similar to 1501.

Axis points

47" east of south.

thick.

Walls i brick
inside

Plastered

and top

ot wall.

Plundered.

Cut by two
49.

Coptic graves.

N.

1620, plan and cross section,

50.

V. Description of Tombs.

27

3.

Large tombs with end chambers and wooden roof (no

type A.
1.

stairway),

b.
1^24,
1611

The tombs
examples are
half
1533

of

this

type

are

1533,

153a,

i<5o8,

and

1505.

The

best

preserved

oia*/r/

and
a

i^od.

From

these

we

find a pit cut in alluvial strata

five

and lined to about

way up with

mud

brick substructure

which contains

compartments (1^24 three comeach end. These end chambers

partments),
are in are
1533

main central chamber and two minor chambers

at

connected with the main chamber by small doors.

lines

In the other tombs, these doors

merely indicated by

drawn

in the plaster.

In both cases,
a

we

have probably merely an imitation

an imitation of larger tombs in

which doorways were

at

necessity

perhaps

of tombs such

as

Zer and Merneit

Abydos.
laid logs

Across the top of the substructure were

of

wood

or branches in a natural state

x/

and plastered

(1505, 1533, 1532).

Over

these were laid courses of brick one to

in itself so that only a part
this
all

two meters
total

thick,

which formed an accidental corbel vault

borne by the logs
a

of the

weight was
laid

(150^, 1533, 1532).

(1505).

On
over

brickwork

just

under the old surface was

second roof of logs

And

was

built

the superstructure, the retaining walls

of which rested on the desert surface

support the weight of the gravel
filling

(1505).

The

roof of the substructure had however to

of the superstructure.
(1532;. (1532).

The

burial,

on

left

side

head to the south, was placed in the central chamber

in the central

suria/

The

offerings
It
is

were placed partly

chamber but mainly in the end chambers

evident that roof and

superstructure could only have been built after the

itself

h\ina[c<>nt/rMttJ
iuriai

had been placed in the tomb.

say

The tomb

could have been buUt in

very short time,

built

two

days.

So
of

it

is

possible that even the substructure of the

tomb was not

until

after the death

its

possessor.

The bricks used are about 7x14x28 cm, but sometimes vary slightly firom these dimen- ^rUis and sions. They have been made as usual in a rectangular wooden frame open above and below, brukworh The bottom rested on the ground; the top was cut off by hand. They are usually laid in
walls i brick thick in overlapping stretcher courses, poorly
resist

bonded
are

at the corners,
i

having to

only the inward thrust of

alluvial strata.

The

walls

which

brick thick, consist of

stretcher courses

(bricks laid in pairs)

a
i

each overlapping irregularly that beneath,

bonded

at

about every fourth course by

surface courses (inside) like the

header course.

The

walls

which

are i^ brick thick, present

brick walls; but the stretchers are usually backed

by headers

and the headers by stretchers.

side
I

Some

stretcher courses,

however

consist of three bricks laid

as

by

side.

The

2 brick

walls present

on the

inside

surface the same appearance

the

and

i\ brick walls,

i.

e.

three stretcher courses and one header course.

Behind the stretcher

we

find a header,

and

a stretcher;

behind the header

we

find another header.

is

The
sufficient

bricks are laid without mortar and the

bonding

very imperfect but, in any case,

In most cases the walls are

to withstand the inward thrust of the alluvial strata.

it
is

perpendicular;

even possible

that the

batter in

1533

is

accidental.
It is

The

inside

surfaces

and the tops of the walls are plastered with

mud

cm

thick.

important to remember

28
diat these

V. Description of Tombs.

underground walls served

a special

purpose and must have been different in con-

struction, especially in the finish

free
M. tsss.

of the outer surface and in the bonding, from walls standing

above ground.

rectangular pit ca. 420 x250 cm, cut in the alluvial deposit to

depth ot 240 on the

Fig. 50-51.

east side

and 200 on the west side below the present surface,

PI. 10

and

The

axis

points about 44 east of south.

In the lower part of

the pit

is

mud-brick structure consisting of one main

at

chamber and two smaller chambers

each end, see

PI. 10^.

The

outside walls are i^ brick

thick while the dividing

i^ brick wall

walls are i brick thick.

The

consists

of

courses of headers backed with stretchers and courses of

A--

._B

stretchers backed with headers.

These courses

alternate

somewhat

irregularly.

In the

west wall of the middle

50.

N. 1533, plan,

50.

N. 1533, section

A-B,

50.

chamber, there were i6 courses in the following order counting from the bottom:
2,
3,

i,

headers
11,

4, stretchers J 5,
14,

headers 5
15,

6, 7,

stretchers;

8,

headers; 9, stretchers;

10,

headers;

12,

13,

stretchers;

headers;
all

16,

stretchers.

The

i brick walls consist of stretchers.

The

inside

and the tops of

walls, so far as preserved, are plastered

with mud.

Plastered doorways lead from the main chamber into the end chambers, the upper parts

of which are unfortunately not preserved.

The roof
on

consisted of

wooden beams or
brick.

saplings laid

crosswise and above this a roof

is

of horizontal courses of

mud

The

rotten

wood from
brickwork

the ends of the saplings

(i.

preserved

the west side and above this about 30

(ca.

cm of

e.

courses).

Considering the

width of the main chamber,

idocm) and the length of the

bricks, (ca. 30 cm), a natural

corbel vault might be completed with the sixth course of bricks.

All evidence as to superstructure had

been removed by the denudation of the

surface
times,

surface.

Almost completely plundered.

this

As the

above the
cf.

pit

was hard and unbroken,

trace left

plundering did not take place in

modern

N.

1581.

There was no
PI. 54'').

of

the skeleton.
1.

On

the floor where found the following objects, (see

jar,

Alabaster

type S m.
flat,

2.
3.

Bowl of hard red ware, red painted, bottom Bottom of jar of coarse ware, type v.

type xxvii.

V. Description of Tombs.

29
fire

4.

Pot of red polished brown ware, containing ashes and showing type XXI '.
Jar of coarse

stain inside,

5.

brown ware, containing

About
were white

ashes, type vi.

6.
7.

stand of red painted coarse ware, type xxviii, represented upside

it

down

in PI. 54''.

Similar to 4.
1533

ashes(?).
PI.
is

N. 1532.

Similar to

and adjoining

it

on the north,
on the
sides

48

and

Fig.

5254.

Axis points about

42' east of south.

The
2

outside wall

2 bricks

thick consisting of courses of

4 stretchers each or of
walls are
It is
i

headers each, alternating irregularly.

The end

walls

and the dividing

brick thick, so far as they are preserved.

probable that there were

doorways leading from the main

chamber

into the

end chambers,

see pot in wall

between chambers
line
52.

a and
wall

and the dividing

c.

in

between d and

Plan

On NE
roofing
13

corner

fragment ot
ca.

beam
thick

was preserved,
it

cm

and above

several

courses of bricks.
All evidence as to superstructure has been destroyed by denu6
52.

N. 1532,

plan,

50.

dation

on

the

west

side

and by But the

bit

Coptic

burials

on

the other.

of wall on the west side

(cf.

N.

1531)

may have occu1532)

pied the same relation to an enclosing wall (perhaps to the enclosing wall of

as

did the

unexplained wall along the enclosing wall of 150^

(1514).

The
hard

surface above the

tomb was
hard

and

unbroken.

The numerous
this

Coptic graves were cut in

debris (by preference) but without any

further disturbance than was necessary

for cutting the
graves.

Therefore the

present condition of the interior of the

grave
dates

from some period, antecf.

cedent to the Coptic period,

1581, 1513.

N.

1533,

A certain amount of disturbance,

(3)

the breaking of the alabaster jar

the volcanic ash

and
S3-

N. 1532, section

A B,

50.

bowl

(i),

the crushing

of the skeleton and possibly the scattering of the necklaces, may be ascribed to the breaking of
the roof and the subsequent
fall

of debris into the main chamber.

The

unequal distribution ot

the pottery in the end chambers, however, and the fact that the dirt had been so stirred up
as to

be almost homogeneous, point to plundering.

It

was however impossible to determine

30

V. Description of Tombs.

whether

this

unequal distribution was caused by plunderers

in

moving the pottery from one

chamber to the other

search of treasure or was due to the fact that chambers b and

cloth

were

originally utilized

for grain,

on other

perishable material.

If

due to plundering,

that implies that the grave

was

laid clear,

proceeding requiring some time free from fear

of interference.
the plunderers

The plundering could not therefore have been contemporaneous nor could have known positively of the existence of the gold. The skeleton with the
flat

gold must have been crushed

as to

and concealed by the debris from above in such

it

manner

escape notice.

For

if the

plunderers had discovered any pieces of

it.

at

all,

they would

probably have looked for the whole and found

Therefore,

it

is

probable that no pieces

of the necklace are missing.

After clearing out the dirt to the height of the walls, the north chambers were cleared,

then chamber C. beginning

at

the north end and

moving

south.

After the

first

bits

of gold

were found,
and the
in
fear

removed the

dirt

from the

rest.

The

gold was photographed (see

PI. 5, a

c)

relative position

of the pieces sketched

alluvial

(Fig. 54),
pit.

and the main pieces were removed

of the collapse of the

wall of the

Then

the

rest

of the grave was

cleared and photographed, see PI. 4.

The
left

skeleton was crushed and the bones were rotten j but the contracted position

on

side,
a

head to the south, was perfectly

bits

certain.

The

burial
dirt

had been

laid

on the

floor;

and

few rotten

of cloth together with the organic

mixed with the fragments of

bone

indicate that the

body had been wrapped

in cloth.

There was no evidence of a wooden

and

boxj but the evidence did not exclude the possibility of a box.

On

the head of the skeleton was

plain circlet

of gold, see

Fig. 54

PI. 5.

About the head were

greatly disturbed; but at

scattered the beads and amulets

7 garnet

shown on
o*

Fig. 54.

The

order was

one spot there were

beads in

row,

at

another three barrel-shaped carnelian

92
opix^-^^^l

beads, and twice there was a group of

two barrel-shaped

carnelian beads with a black and white stone pendant

alaba5^er jar

between them.

There were
So

also

nests of black and

white cylindrical beads.

that

it is

probable that the

necklace consisted in part of a large

strings

number of separate

of beads.

But the presence of the two eyelets

on

the gold shells proves that part of the necldace had

at least
PUut
6.

two

strands joined together.

Plate 6.

No.
bits

6:

two
have

bits

of copper band gold

tipped.

Other

of copper band were mixed with

a

the beads, so that

we

gold tipped copper ribbon

of inderminate length.

No.
shaped).

5:

ten gold beads, (the cross-section

are

is

eggfilled
a
5^

These

of beaten gold, very thin,

with

a light

cement and pierced longitudinally with

small hole.

,53,

sketch

01 goia-find.

V. Description of Tombs.

3|

No.

4: 22 gold shells
a

of heavy beaten gold (there are

more on

Plate vi

making 24

in

all).

They
with
a

have at each end

3:

heavy eyelet

fiised on.

No.

male gazelle of beaten gold

CFig. 54,5).

long cylindrical eyelet above in the middle.

is

The back of this is a plain unworked sheet, The filling is a light pink cement. About the
Reverse on
PI. 9.
is

neck of the gazelle

band with

a -s^-sign (goddess girdle) attached.

(Fig, 54,
1).

No.
with
a

2:

a bull

of similar technique, horns broken off Reverse on

About the neck,

band

Hathor head (sistrum?) attached.

i:

PI. 9.

No.
but
is

a capsule

with

a lid, ot

beaten gold
side
is

(Fig. 54, 5).

as

This was apparently round originally

if

now

crushed

ftat.

The under

is

ornamented

with the legs of

a reptile

or an

insect, see PI. 9.

On

the upper side

the Neith-sign inlaid with dark blue paste.

The

capsule

has

no

eyelet and was therefore not part of the necklace.

7.

Plate

From below,

the

first

string

of beads consists of camelian and syenite

(?)

beads,

piate 7.

There may have been more than three

carnelian beads

between the syenite beads: otherwise

arranged according to order found in fragments.

The second and

third strings are

of carnelian beads.
is

The

fourth, fiith

and

sixth are
is

of

thin gold filled with cement.

The
are

seventh

of

solid gold beads.

The

eighth

a tentative
is

stringing of gold and carnelian beads, and, while

certainly not correct.
Plate
8.

showing the

possibilities

of the material,

Below
left,

two heaps of broken gold

of garnet beads (Nos.

beads,

On

the

string of small cylindrical beads

strings

of

fine dark

green stone almost

small string of blue
13

Piau

8.

translucent (No, 9), then

glaze beads (No.
12),

two

10, 11)

and

On

the right, are four strings of carnelian beads (Nos,

light

16).

In the
6, 7)

middle, above

is

a string

of small

green stone beads (No,

shell
all

8),

then two strings (Nos,

of

cylindrical beads

of

soft grey stone

and of white

(?),

and

a string

of faded blue glaze beads

(No,

5),

Below

are four

rows of beads. These

are

carnelian excepting the

two

light

ones in

the upper

row (No.
Above,

4) of

which one

is

beryl

(?)

and the other amethyst, and

also excepting the

middle bead of the second and the middle bead of the third row both of which are haematite.
Plate 9.
9^,
b, c

and

"^

give reverse views of the gazelle, the bull, the capsule

9*^:

and

Plate g.

the parts of the cylinder.

Below,

on the
are

left is a

twisted gold wire,

two

strand, with a

loop

at

each end

(Fig. 54,3).

As the loops
this

unbroken that to which they were attached must

of the gold
seal

be broken or decayed.
see PI. 44).
Plate 5)

Next

on the
discs

plate are the parts

cylinder CFig. 54, z;

the cylinder
it

When
The

found the two

were

in position

on the ends of

(see

and the small cap with the eyelet inside covered the hole in the disc next to
other hole
is

on

the plate.

worn.

The

cylinder was probably the

The whole rested in the gold band, plating of a wooden cylinder (cf. 3091).
7),

or case, on the right.

Below on 9

is

the gold circlet (Fig. 54,

and inside the

10),

circlet

counting from the

8)

left

we

have a

flint

bracelet, a slate

bracelet (Fig. 54,

gold bracelet (Fig. 54,

and

finally a

broad copper bracelet in which are wedged two more gold bracelets

(Fig. 54, 9).

Beneath are

two gold

finger-rings (Fig, 54,

and

4),

The

other contents of the

I.

tomb were:
found upside down

Bowl,

PI. 46,

of

light blue volcanic ash, depression in inside,

with 2 also upside

down under

it,

type Sxvii,

32
2.

V. Description of Tombs.

Bowl,
it

Vi. 4<J,

of dark veined, porous volcanic ash

(?),

ring inside, type xvii.

Under

were found bones of arm with

jar,

bracelets, see print

i

on ground

in Pi.

5'*.

3.

Cylindrical

PI. 46, alabaster,

with cord, type S

a.

Contents ashes and sand.

4.
5.

Bowl,
8.

PI. 4<J,
25.

of green volcanic
PI. 52",

ash, rim, depression, type S xvu.

2, 3,

9.

Bowls,

No. I,

of brown ware, red painted,

inside,

line,

or pebble,
rim.

polished,

type xxiv.

Vertical

lines

horizontal

on outside of

The

bottom
6.
7.

is

not

flat.

S7'

58-

Pot, PI.

52'',

of hard coarse red ware, type

xxi.

Flint bracelet, PI. 9

on
cm,
>

the
h. h.

left,
10.
10.

and part of another.

8.

See
,,

5.

Diameter

i5
'5

9.
10.

5-

39

49. 52 55
19

(all

broken).

66. Flat plates, PI. 52^, 16

23,

of soft brown ware,

red painted, line (pebble) polished, type xxvi.

Lines cross the plate but on the

rim the

lines are parallel to rim.

Some

are thick

and heavy, others thinner, cf

21,

18

and
11.

with 20 and

23.

The

size

varies

from diam.

h. 5 to

diam.

25,

h.

6 cm.

Pot similar to 6 but with spout, of smooth coarse red ware, type
15.

xxi, diam. 34, h. 30.

u.

12.

Tall

jar, PI. 52'',

of soft brown ware,

dull red polish, in

bad condition, type

H. 70 cm.
13.

14.

Tall

jar,

PI. 52'^,
i,

of hard,
(58

fine reddish

brown ware, with

raised line arround

shoulder, type
14.
15.

h.

cm.

Pot marks.

See See
Tall
a

13.

12.

i5.

jar,

PI. 52'',

of hard, reddish brown ware, type

see Pottery type
i.

1,

h. 73.

Around shoulder

row of marks,

17

19.

21

24.

26

30.

35

38.

68.

Bowls,

PI. 52^,

No.
All

15,

of soft brown ware, red

painted,
Inside (n and

line

(pebble) polished, type xxiv.

vertical
lines
(9,

have horizontal lines

on

rim.
lines

some have
15;

light

coloredj,

some have
lines

horizontal
(14)

some have
(10

partly

vertical

and partly horizontal

a
slight

and some

have both

dark red).
23,

All have

circular
22,

depression
h. 9.

inside.

They

average about diam.

18.

h. 10.

No.

17

measures diam.

19.

See

17

(broken).
5,

20.
21.

Bowl
See

68.

similar to

type xxv, diam.

20, h.

12,

PI. 52*,

No.

3.

17.

Diam.

20, h. 10.
23,

22.

17.
17.
5.

h. 12.

23

24.
25.

Broken.

Diam.

16,
17.
3,

h. 9.

i6
31

30.
32.

Similar to
52'',

But better formed,

PI. 52

No.
xxi.

9,

type xxiv"'.
32 is slighty smaller

Pot, PI.
31

No.

of smooth red ware, type

31.

No.

than

and was found inside

jar,

33.

Tall

PI. 53'',

similar

to

12

15,

with raised

line

about foot,

type

i,

h. 70.

Pot mark.

V. Description of Tombs.

33
line polished,

34.
35-

Pot with spout,

See
,,

Pi. 52'',

of

light

brown ware,
10.
10. 10. 10. 10. 10.

type xxui.

17. 17-

Diam.
j>

23,

h. 9.
h. 9.

42--44. See
45-

Diam

23,

h. 6. h. 5.

3d.
37

22,5,
23,

25,

1717-

)j

h.9.
h.9.
h. 6.
h. 6.

46.
47.

25, h. 6.

38.

5>

22,
23,

24,5, h. 6.

39-

10.

J1

48.

24, h.6. 24, h. 6.

40.
41-

10.
10.

J)

21,
21,

49-

h. 5.

5051. Pot, similar to

32,

of smooth red ware, type

XXI.

Diam.

17,

h. i5.
a

5255. See

10.

All broken.
5,

Under
4,

these

were the

leg bones
15,

of

small animal (kid?)

56. Similar to

PI.

52% No.

type xxiv3.

Diam.

h. 10.

5758. See
59

6.

Diam.

28, h. 28.
52*^,

In 58 were the rotten bones of

small animal (kid?).

<55.

69

78.

Jars, PI.
v).

of coarse red ware, with

vertical

scratches

on the lower
silt

part (type
if

Contents sand and mud.

No.

61

shows

distinctly a

deposit as

water had stood in the grave.

No. $9 was

built into the wall (in the entrance

to

chamber
10.

a?).

66

67.

See

Diam.

24.

68.

25.
59.

6978.

In addition, there were found

number of
Those

fragments in the
in the top

dirt, PI.

46^, unnumbered.
slate,

row

are

of

those in the second

row

are

of volcanic ash, except the dark piece

right
It
is

on the
diorite.

of second row which

doubtful
rather,
if
it

is

of dark

these pieces belong to

is

the tombj

or,

probable that some

surface into the

of them,

at least,

came from the

tomb
M. 1506.

at

the time of the collapse of the roof.

1533,

Similar to

but with double

wooden

roof,

see PI. IX,

are
all
i

3.

Axis points 52 east of south. Walls

thick,

brick

stretcher

courses

of two

stretchers side

by

side

with an occasional header

course. Plastered inside and

plaster

on top of

walls.

The
at

on the end

walls of the

main chamber
is

the places where

1533

has doorways,

marked with
55.

rectangles scratched in the

wet

plaster to indicate

N. 1506, plan,

:SO.

doorways.
laid across

layer of saplings or tree limbs was

the tops of the walls projecting about 40

cm beyond

the walls (see

PI. x, 3

right

side

where the brick work has sunk down on the plastered top of the
this

wall crushing the wood.)

Above

wooden roof was

a brick a

roof of which traces of three courses were preserved

second layer of logs about
15

(originally ca. 7 ?)}

and then came

I.

cm

in diameter, see Pi. ix, 2

,

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

34
(from above), and Plate
x,
3

V. Description of Tombs.

(from the inside

showing bending of the logs under pressure).

Above
of
consisting

there were

^^'ell

preserved traces

a superstructure, see

Map
low

u and

PI. x,

i,

2,

of

central

mass with offering

wall.

niches, surrounded

by

Between
is

the wail
floor laid

and the central mass, there

on

gebel, consisting ot

mud

plaster
at
^^-

with
least

a thin

coating of white.

There was

one entrance to

this intermediate space,

^- '^^' ^^*^''"

^""^'

'

'^^
a

on the south end of the west or

Coptic
burials), see x,

valley side, see PI. x,

i.

About

this

entrance was

horseshoe-

shaped platform consisting of a white coated

2.

mud

floor outlined

with bricks (badly cut up by

central mass

were

also coated white.

The The
is

surface of the surrounding wall and that of the

inner niche of the

compound

ofi'ering

niches was painted red

over the white.

The
axis

superstructure

not oriented
of south.

like

the pit
it

but points 43

east

of south while the

of the

pit points 52 east

Thus

is

clear that exact orientation

built after the burial

was probably

not of importance and that the superstructure was

the grave closed
(cf.

had been made and

also 1514).

The
in

grave had been completely plundered, from the appearance of the surface probably
times.

modem
1.

In the lower level inside and probably belonging to the tomb was found:
jar,'

Tall

PI. lv,

of hard
i.

light

reddish-

brown ware with

i.

raised

band arround

the shoulder, type

2.
3.

Inscription, see Pottery type

i.

Like
Small

I,

PI. LV.

Inscription, see Pottery type

jar, PI.

lv,

of

fine grained light

brown

ware, line polish, type xiv. Potmark.

4.
1I.IM8.

Frag, of red polished bowl, PI. lv.

Similar to 1505.

Axis points 40 east of south.

(i.

Outside walls are

brick thick, headers

and stretchers

as

usual

e.

ca.

three stretcher courses to one header course) j the dividing

walls are i brick thick,

of overat

lapping
all

stretchers,

bonded

joints

with the main wall.

Plastered inside and

walls.

on top of
above
the
is
57.

The

gebel

wall for a distance

of 60

cm

N.

1608, plan,

lOO.

apparently also heavily plastered

(5

8 cm
is

thick)} but this

may be

simply decayed brick of the roof.

wall,

At one point on the west

side

a trace

of wood on top of the

also

and on the north end one log above the upper

a

mud plaster was of mud or mud

preseved so that

we

have to infer

double

wooden roof with

3,

roof

brick resting

on the lower wooden roof (cf

1505), see plate xi,

4.

The tomb was

completely plundered.

The

breaking

down of

the southern dividing wall

gives the appearance of the

work of

sebba^in.

In the dirt was found the rough pot seen in

V. Description of Tombs.

35
slate.

PI. XI,

3,

white shell bracelet and small fragments of volcanic ash, alabaster and
burials
all

Above

were 6 Coptic
N. 1621.

more or

less disturbed.

Similar to

1533.

Axis
east

points

^6
*

of south. All
i

walls are
thick,

brick

stretcher

courses

of

two
with
59.

stretchers

N. 162

1,

plan,

100.

60.

N. 1621, section

A-B,

lOO.

an occasional header course.

For example,

in the wall

between the two

i,

northern chambers, counting from the top, courses

3,

and

7 are

header courses and courses

2,

4, 5, 6, 8

and

9 are stretcher courses (the courses below nine are unrecognizable).

The
all

top of the outside wall

gebel.
is

is

built

out

about 40

cm

around to meet the

The
filled

space

beneath between the wall and the gebel

sand.

with
about
N.
1

On

the west side, in this sand

62

filling,

at

1,

brickwork.

62.

N.

62 1, pottery,

lO.

A_
mud
floor.

70

cm

above the floor of the tomb,

trace of the roof

is

an inexplicable

No

was to be found nor of superstructure.

In the chamber were three pans in position.

1.

Pan of brown ware, red painted,

(cross lines), type xxvi.

line polished inside

34, h. 7,5.
32, h. 6.
63.

Diameter

2.
3.

Pan of Pan
of

similar ware, type xxvi.

Diam.

N. 1624, plan,

50.

brown ware,

red

painted,

not

polished, type xxvi.

Diam.

32, h. 6.

In the dirt were fragments of (4)

pot type xxi,

vi,

of

(5)

bowl type

xxiv, (6) a jar type

and

firag-

ments of an
N.I624.

alabaster

and of
but

a slate bowl.

Similar
see PI. XI,
I.

to

1533

with

only

three

chambers
All walls,

Axis points

35 east
i

of south.

except one cross wall, are

headers
as

brick thick, stretchers and

wall

usual.

The

cross

dividing

the

end

64.

N. 1624, section

A B,

36

V. Description of Tombs.

chambers

is

i brick thick,

all

stretchers.

Doorways

are indicated

by scratches made

in the plaster

while wet,
walls.

No

main chamber opposite end chambers. Plastered inside and on top of other trace of roof except possibly a clump of bricks above gravel stratum on east side.

on north

wall of

Completely plundered.

4.

Large tombs with end chambers, wooden

type A.
2. b.

roofs

and

stairways,

TTiere are but

two tombs with wooden

in the cemetery.

roofs and stairways,

1513

and

1581,

the largest

two wood-roofed tombs

From
tombs

their position

and contents these two

are either

contemporaneous with or
to
1533

immediately

subsequent

and

1532.

They
tics, as

present exactly the same characteristhe wood-roofed

class
3

tombs of

except

that they are entered

on

the river side (west) by

a

stairway with door.

H. 1581.

Rectangular

pit, PI. 21

and 22, cut through

the alluvial deposit into the linestone. Axis points 36 * east of south.

The lower

part

is

occupied by brick walls forming one main

chamber and two small chambers

end.

at

each

The

outside walls are

li

brick thick,
alternating

stretcher
(usually

and header
three

courses

stretcher

courses

to

one

header course) on the face.

The

stretchers

are as a rule backed with headers

and the

headers with stretchers just as in

modern

Egyptian brick-work.

The

cross walls and

i

the side- walls of the stairway are All

brick thick.

exposed

surfaces

and the

tops

65.

N. 1581, plan of substructure and superstructure,

lOO.

of the walls are

plastered.

Across

the

tops of these lo-

wer
were
was

walls, 180

which
high,

cm

row of tree
66.

limbs or saplings.

N. 1581, section

C-D,

lOO.

67.

Section

A B,

lOO.

V. Description of Tombs.

37

The
doorway

holes seen in
all

PI. 22

to the north of the stair and

on

a level

with the top ot the

east side.

contained rotten wood.^

Other
all

traces

were found
pit.

also

on the
is

Above
see Fig. 6$.

these logs a wall was built

PI. 21

around the

This wall
at

best preserved

on

the north end, see

and

22;

but there are also remains

each of the southern corners,

the logs and partly
wall

on the

On the sides this upper wall rested partly gebel. On the ends, it rested, not on the logs
it.

on the ends of
but, directly

on the lower
this

and

the gebe/ behind

The lower edge of

where the

the face of the north

end of

upper wall shows

22.

plainly an unplastered strip

logs crossed and above this a plastered strip, see PI,

is

About

half

way up

the face of this upper wall

in
a

second unplastered

strip

corresponding to

the remains of logs found

second row of holes on each side of the northern end.

According to these

indications,

there was a double

the walls of the chambers and the gebel

rested in the brickwork half
walls, partly

wooden roof The lower one rested on behind and was heavily plastered. The second root
wall which
itself rested partly 'on the

way up

the upper

chamber-

on the

logs of the lower roof and the gebel.

as to

The second roof was

evidence

also plastered.

No
(see

evidence was found

evidence

the existence of

third root across the top

of the upper wall

to whether

of superstructure, below).
filled

Nor was any

left
10

found

as

the

space between the roofs was

with sand or
a

empty.

The

stairway, leading

down from

point

ca.

cm below

the old surface,

steps.
stair.

was formed
side

above of steps cut in the gebel and plastered, below of brick

walls the tops

It

was flanked by

of which were level with the top step of the

lintel

The doorway
walls,

into the
see PI.
21.

tomb had

wooden

and was sealed up

after the burial

by two bricks

The

stairway itself was filled with heavy boulders and gravel.

On

the surface

at

the southeast corner, under the debris from the

a

New

Empire tomb
(^5).

above was found the parts of

superstructure

shown

in PI. 22 ''-'^ (see also Fig.

Here the

superstructure shows a central mass with

compound and

simple niches

on

the south end, but

without niches on the east

side.

On

the east was an enclosing wall

(cf. 1505).

The

surface

on

the south

end was too much disturbed

to permit any conclusion as to the existence of a

protecting wall on that side.

On

the front or valley side, the bit of wall

shown on Map

may belong

either to 1581 or to \6x6.

From

these indications,

it

is

probable that the supersimple niches (possibly

side

structure consisted of a central mass with alternating

compound and

three simple niches

between every two compound niches) on the north end, west

and

south end surrounded by one enclosing wall (with entrance to the enclosure on valley side,
like 1505?).

The

surface of this central mass has only a very slight batter.

The

mass was at

least 50

cm

high, with outside brick walls ca. 100

3017).

cm

thick and with a filling of gravel, lime-

stone chips and other rubbish (cf N.

The

walls of the superstructure are not parallel to the sides of the pit.
built

The

superstructure

was probably

subsequent to the burial (cf 1505 and

1514).

The
yet the
*

grave was covered by a hard packed layer of debris from the rock cut tombs in
hill.

the Umestone

This layer was undisturbed except for the Coptic

Therefore
this

burials

cut in

it;

and

tomb was completely plundered.

holes lower

plundering took place previous to

other cause and contained no

The

down were

simply decayed spots in the brick due to

infiltration or

wood

dust.

38
the digging of the tombs above.

V. Description of Tombs.

The tombs

immediately above

1581

are

none of them

later

than the

New

Empire, and most of them are of the Middle Empire. Therefore the plundering

must have aken place previous to the

New

Empire.
dirt

Most of the

objects

found in the tomb were mixed with the

floor:

above the

ftoor.

However

a
1.

few objects were fovmd on the

A
An An
6.

rough

flint

knife, see PI. 23"

jar,

and 40".
45 ^

2.
3.

alabaster cylindrical

PI.

No.

i.

alabaster cylindrical jar, PI. 45

Three

jars,

like 52"

^ No. 2. lower row right side, of

jars

coarse red ware.

walls:

There was
of

also
7.

found in the
pottery

dirt

below the top of the chamber

The

shown
PI. 45''

smooth, red painted

8.

The two brown ware. The

PI. 52".

on
and

left

end of lower row

are

rest
2

of coarse red ware.

3).

Stone vessels

(except the two

ash.

jars

The bowl

in the middle of

upper row
9.
M. ISIS.

is

of volcanic
rough
and
flints

The
traces

rest are

of

alabaster.

The

19

small

shown

PI. 40*".

Similar to

1581,

see

PI. 19

20.

The

of the roof are confined to

few patches

of broken brickwork on the

east side.

The

contents of the

tomb were found

the main

scattered

by plunderers,
to have

see PI. 20 ^'

<=.

The

heap

in the southwest

comer of

chamber appears

been pulled out of chamber

and part of

that in

to have been pulled

^,

through the hole in the wall from

time

at a

when

the chambers contained a certain

for the pots in a,

amount of debris. Except

chambers a and b were empty. There was

no

trace

of skeleton.

Since

d and

con-

tained a quantity of pots and stone vessels,

it

seems probable that a and b were not

It is

empty.
chiefly

possible that they

contained

food,

clothing or furniture which

as

was so broken by the plunderers

decay
utterly

to

leaving

no

distinguishable

trace in the

muddy

debris.
68.

N. 1512, plan,

lOO.

69.

N. 1512, Kction

C-D,

loo.

70. N.

1512, section

A B,

lOo.

V. Description of Tombs.

39

The

following objects were found in the grave

I.

Slate pan, PI. 45,

9. n. 18.
22.
25.

with depression inside bottom.

45. 51

53.

61.

Flat

pans of brown ware,

PI. 52
21

^ type

xxvi, red

painted, line polished.

10.
17.

Lines cross face of pans.

PI. 52

Diam.

23

cm.

58.

60. Jars

of coarse red ware,

with finger (wet) around neck, type

II.

v.

^ vertical smoothing H. ca. 33 cm.

scratches,

smoothed

See

2.

Diam.

23.

12.
13.

Slate bowl, PI. 45''.

Slate pan, PI. 45'', depression in

bottom

inside.

14.
15.

Part of a slate pan,

PL

45'',

depression in bottom inside, rest of pan 49.

Alabaster pan,
19.
21.

PI. 45'',
37.

depression in bottom inside.

61. Jar,

16.
17.

30

33.

38.

$9,

PI. 52'',

type

vi,

of coarse red ware.

H.

25.

See

10.
2.

H.

33.

18.

See
See

19.

\6.

20.
21.

Alabaster pan,

PI.

45=

(half).

See

\6.
2.
.

22.
23.

See
35.

Tall
6$.

jar,

PI. 52 ^,

type

11,

of brown ware painted red, with uniform dull

polish.

H.
24.

Contents ashes,

coals.

One
See

half of a

bowl of volcanic

ash, PI. 45**, depression in

bottom

inside.

The

other half was found in the dirt in the southeastern chamber.

25.
2(J.

2.

Part of a
rest

bowl of

fine limestone, PI. 45'',

with depression in bottom inside.

in this

The

of

this

bowl was found lower down

same heap, see

50.

27. 28.

Bowl, Bowl,

Pi. 52
PI.

^ type xxiv % of brown 52'', type xxiv'', of brown

like
28.

ware, red painted, line polished.

Diam.

19, h, 9.
18, h. 12.

ware, red painted, line polished. Diam.

29.

Fragments
33.

30

See

16.

34.
35.

Slate pan, PI. 45

Slate

^ with

depression.

bowl,
23.

PI.

45 ^ with depression.

35.
37.

See
38.

See

16.

39.

Bowl of

volcanic ash,

PI.

45

^ with

depression.

40. Part of alabaster bowl, PI. 45*, with depression.

41.

Bowl of pink

limestone,

PI.

45 , with depression.

42. Part
43. 44. 45.
4<J.

of bowl of volcanic

ash,

PL 45*, with depression.

Rest found in E.

These numbers were

2.

accidentally omitted in marking the objects.

See

Diam.

21

25.

Large pot of smooth red ware (hard baked), type xxi^4,

Broken.

Diam.

ca. 38,

h. ca. 20.

40
47. Potstand,

V. Description of Tombs.

smooth red ware (hard baked), type

with depression.

xxviii.

Diam.

28,

h.

12.

48. Alabaster pan, PI. 45",

49. Part
50.
51

of

14.

Rest of
53.

16.
2.

See

Broken.
type
xxiv''.

54. Similar to 28,

55.

Diam.

14,5,

h. 10.

See

2.

$6. Slate
57.

bowl,

PI.

Slate pan,

PI.

^ with depression. 45 ^ with depression. This pan had been broken and mended
45

in

antiquity.

A
type

line

was scratched zigzaging across the

line

of breakage in order to

give a hold to the cement.

58.

The cement was

hard fine white plaster.

Like

10,

v.
vi.

^g.

Like

16,

type

60. Like 10, type v.

Decayed. Decayed.

6u Like
62.
6}.

i5,

type
9,

vi.

Like 2
Slate

type xxvi.
PI.

Decayed.

pan,

45 ^

with depression.

The maker
setting in a

accidentally

cut
a

through
disc

the
slate

bottom and repaired the mistake by

cut to
64.
6$.
fit

separate piece,

of

the depression.

This disc was fastened with hard white cement.

Fragments of
Small
jar

a slate pan, PI. 45

^ with

depression.
^.

of calcareous alabaster, type S xv

jar

Diam.

9.

66.
67.

Top
a lot

of cylindrical

of

alabaster.

Raised cord around neck.

Diam.

10,5.

Fragment from the rim of

of
slate

crystal goblet, PI. 41^.

Found

10

cm above

floor with

splinters belonging to 64.

also

There was
vessels

found

bit

of

slate

bracelet and various

fragments of stone

and pottery belonging to or

similar to the objects described above.

5.

Large tombs with corbelled

roof,
1.

end chambers and

b.
a

stairway,

type B.
with a

In the middle and northern sections of the cemetery,

number of tombs
2

are covered not

first

wooden roof but with

corbel vault.

These

vaults spring

from the top of the

ca.

to fifth course

and are formed by allowing each course to project

10

cm beyond

the

course below.

The

facing of the vault

3

is

composed of

stretcher courses with an occasional

header course (about

to

i);

the make-weight behind the facing,

is

which served to weigh down

the courses (on the cantilever principle)

composed of
is

bricks and

mud

laid in

very roughly.
32.

When

the width of wall permits the makeweight

composed of

headers, see PI.

Some-

times the roof rose to a dome-like

the makeweight

hump over

the middle chamber (1586)} but in other cases

flat

was

built

up so

as

to present a

roof outside} and in one

as

case,

at

least

(N.

1515),

a thick flooring

of brick was built over the whole

an additional protection.

In some In

cases the

comer

is

groined, the surfaces cutting each other at right angles (N. 15S6,

1513, 1511).

other cases the comers are rounded by laying the bricks radiating around the corners (N.

1584).

V. Description of Tombs.

4)

As

all

these vaults are longer than they are broad, the sides

meet over the middle

line

of the vault and the ends do not meet.

The
after

angle at which the sides

meet
a

varies

with the height to which the walls are carried

they have approached to within

brick's length

of each other.

No
duce
a

case

was found where the projecting corners of the bricks were chipped off to provault.

curved surface inside the

On

the contrary,

smooth

surface

was obtained by

plastering.

Where doorways were

or saplings.

necessary, the vault was

supported over these by

wooden

logs

As
traces

the surface was denuded and broken in the neighbourhood of

(1514).

all

the vaulted tombs,

of superstructure were preserved in only one case

pit,

In this case

we

find a central

mass covering the

have only
a

consisting of a outside wall filled with gravel and rubbish.

The

walls

shght batter and are broken by alternating simple and

(?)

compound

niches

on the

south, west and north

sides.

Around

the whole, runs a

all

low enclosure

wall marking off

the sacred place of offerings.

are in addition painted red.
It is

The

surfaces of

these walls are plastered white j the niches

probable that

all

the larger tombs had such superstructures. But

no evidence whatever

in regard to the smaller vaults has

It is

been preserved.
case of superstructure preserved,

to be noted that in the one

the superstructure

crosses the stairway leading into the

tomb and was

therefore built after the burial had been

made and the

stairway

filled

up.
is

The
crowded
described
N. 1586.

chronological order of the tombs of this class

apparently:

1571,

1514, 1515,

1513,

1586,

1584, 1572, 1605, 1616.

N.

1572

and 1626 have the stairway on the north

as a result

of their being

in

between older tombs.

The

best preserved tombs are 1585 and 1584.

N.

1585

is

first

therefore for convenience.

The

other tombs are described in order as above.

3,

A
about

rectangular pit cut in the alluvial

strata, PI. 32, 33

and

Fig. 71

75.

Axis points
a

"^r^r-'-^^l^^^^^S^

55

east

of south.

Occupied by
five

mass of brickwork containing

corbel vaults,

groined

main chamber with two

see PI.
32, 33
^

smaller chambers

on each end,

(shows holes broken into the two chambers

on the south end) and

33

**

(shows groin in

south east corner of main chamber).

The
course.

facing of the

corbel consists of

about three stretcher courses to one header

The
a

filling consists
all

of headers.

The

inner surfaces are

heavily plastered prosurface (Pi.

33'^-'').

ducing

smooth curved

The

packing (makeweight) of the vault

is
I.

over the main chamber

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

carried

up at

least

71.

N.

1586, plan,

lOO.

42
50

V. Description of Tombs.

cm

above the packing of the side

vaults,

producing a sort of rough dome.

The doorway on
inside,
a

the west side

is

is,

on

the

truncated corbel and

covered by
N
1586, section

saplings

supporting

the

mass of bricks above,

closed

see PI. 32
i^-ith

and

Fig. 72.

The doorway was

stretcher

A B,

block of brickwork consisting of

alternate

header

and

courses,
strau

plastered

on the

outside.
a
stair

was approached by
bricks
thick.

The doorway built of mud

1

^
4i
sfair.builf
Z^y/i

and flanked by
This
stairway

side walls

brick

of

mud bncKs
on gebel.

laid

was

filled

with
73.

boulders.

The
by

surface about this

a

tomb was denuded

to

N. 1586, section

C-D,

100.

sebbafiin to

level

below the old surface

as

and therefore no evidence

structure could be found.

the

super-

Only one
the tomb:
1.

object was found in position in

fat

jar,

type m, of red painted

in

brown ware, found

But
in the
a

NE

chamber.
74.

N. 1586, plan of
I
:

75.

N. 1586, section of
i
:

number of other

objects were found

SW chamber,

50.

SW chamber,

50.

dirt

of the main chamber and undoub-

tedly belonged to the grave.

2.
3.

roughly chipped
type ix
'

flint

knife, PI. 39

Broken, one small piece missing.

Jar,

of smooth red-painted brown ware.

4. Jar,
5.

type ix^ of smooth hard reddish-brown ware.

Jar,

type v of coarse red ware with vertical scratches. type vi of coarse ware.

6. Jar,
7. 8.

Pan, type xxvi of

brown ware, red

PI. 48^.

painted, line polished.

line polished.
left

Bowl, type

xxiv**

of brown ware, red painted,

And
slate,

also the stone vessels

shown on
(5)

Counting from the

above, these are

(i)

of

(24) of volcanic

ash,

of

alabaster.

In the second row, the pieces are (13) of

volcanic ash, (4

5)

of red and white brecchia, and {6 main chamber, west

dirt
side,

7)

of alabaster.
a

On
cells

the plaster of the

were

number of mud wasp

(PI. 33

cells
<=).

filled

and caked with the same gravelly

which

filled

the rest of the chamber

fell
fall

These

must have been made previous to the date when the tomb
construction,

into

its

present condition,
vault.

either just subsequent to

or subsequent to the

of the

The upper
that

part of the

tomb had been worked over by

sebbal^in but there

was nothing to show

these had penetrated into the vault.

central vault.

The

plunderers entered the tomb through the top of the

a

The Coptic

burials

above the tomb cut into the vault in

number of

cases.

V. Description of Tombs.
N. 1571.

43

Similar to 158^.

N. 1526.

Axis points 42 east of south.

This tomb was worked by two gangs

of

workmen and received two numbers. The site was occupied by a depression
and gravel.

as usual.

And
all

the pit was

filled

with a mass of

mud

The

inside surfaces

of the walls were

decayed and the outlines of the

dividing walls had disappeared.

The
are visible

stairway was destroyed by the builders of 1572^ and the doorway, the sides of which

from the
to
tlie

inside

of the main chamber,

is

blocked by the walls of

1572,

see

Map

u.

Owing

disturbance of the surface, by

available.

1572,

Coptic graves and sebbal^m, no evidence

on superstructure was

E n rrance

cuh oFf by 1572.

76.

N. 1571, position of objects found,

50.

On

the floor, of the main chamber,

1.

were found the following

49
,

objects, see PI. 31^-"=

and

Fig.

7<J.

Bowl of

fine volcanic ash, PI.

with depression.

Broken
i

(all

found).

At
in

this

point, there

was

mass of pieces of stone vessels (Nos.

6)

embedded

mud

to a height of 40
2.
3.

cm

above the
slate, PI.

floor.

Fragments of pan of

49^, with depression.

Top
Plate

of

cylindrical jar
slate,
PI.

of

alabaster, PI.

49 ^

4.
5.

of impure

49*, with depression.

No

lip.

Broken

(all

found).

Bowl of
of

slate, PI.

49 % with depression.
alabaster, PI.

No

lip.

Broken (few

bits missing).

6.
7.

Bowl of red-veined
Plate
slate,
PI.

49 ^ with depression.

49 % without depression.
ca.

Broken

(all

found).

Part was found

higher up in the mud, at

8.

60 cm. Broken.
Part found higher

Bowl of
mud,

slate,

PI.

49^, with ring depression.

up

in

at ca. 50

cm.
7.

9.
10.

Parts of 8

and

Jar of coarse red ware, of type v.

^
11.

V. Description of Tombs.

Bowl of volcanic
Pan of calcareous

ash, PI.

49 ^, with depression.

Rim

chipped.

12.
13.

alabaster, PI.

49^ with

depression.

Broken
(all

(all

found).

Bowl of
Copper
like

clear alabaster, PI. 49*>,

bracelet, consisting

with depression.

Broken

found).

14.

of thin broad concavo-convex band of beaten copperj

<=.

N.

1532,

Fl.

9 S see

PI. 31

15.

Cylindrical jar of alabaster, PI.

17.

49''.

Rim broken.
line polish across face,

\6.

20. Plates

of brown ware, red painted,

22

type xxvi. Diam;

?).

ca. 28.

On
10,

was found
v.

piece from the shoulder blade of a small animal (kid

1821. Like
22.
23.

type

See

16.
(?),

Small pot of slate

PI. 41

"=.

Consisting of two pieces divided

at the

shoulder.

The lower
parts.

part had four vertical slate strips, dividing the surface into four equal
strips

These
at

were fastened with white cement.

opposite
these
strips.

The upper

part

was

scratched

four places

The

pot was well preserved

except that the strips were broken and decayed.

24.
25.

Small bowl with spout, of volcanic ash,

Small Small
jar jar

PI. 41

".

Whole.
bit found).
at the shoulder.

of

alabaster, PI. 49''.

PI.

Broken

(all

but small

26.
27. 28.

of limestone.

49 ^. In two pieces divided

PI. 41

Whole.

Fragments of an ivory cup,

^
cosmetic,
PI. 41
".

Half of Half of

a bivalve

shell, to

hold

29.

slate

cosmetic box in the form of

a fish,

eye

inlaid, PI. 41"^.

Found under

28.

In addition a
30 to 100

number of

pieces of stone vessels and pottery

were found
PI.

in the
*>.

mud

at

from
the

cm

above the

floor, see the

unnumbered pieces on
(3

49
-,

and

Begirming

at
(i)

upper

left

hand comer, these are in the top row

(2)

and 4) of

slate

in the

second row

of

fine volcanic ash,

of black limestone
(5)

(?),

(3)

of black

basalt, (4)

of grey volcanic ash withlip,

out

lip

or depression,

of volcanic ash with depression but without

(2)

(6)

of brecchia-like

volcanic ash, with depression} in the third row,

of volcanic ash with ring depression } in

lip.

the fourth row, (2 and

3)

of

slate

without depression or
all

In

PI.

49 ^ the pieces are

first

all

of

alabaster.

Of

these the bowls

have

lip

and depression except the

lip
;

and second

bowls in the third row.

depression but no
N. I5U.
lip.

The

first

of these has neither depression nor

the second has a

Similar to 1585, so far as preserved. Axis points 49 east of south.

See

Map

11,

and

PI. 27, 28.

The site was occupied by a depression ca. 100 cm deep. The pit was filled with a mass of mud (decayed brick) and gravel. Individual bricks were not distinguishable except in the highest part, see PI. 27. The mass of mud, the crushing of the lower brickwork, the absence
of perpendicular walls
(cf. 1581, 1513)

are

all

characteristic
it

of the corbel

vault.

careful attempt

was made to

trace out the dividing walls, but

was impossible.

And

yet the position of the

walls.

objects especially at the northern

certain that

end shows
five

that there

were dividing

Therefore
vaults.

it

is

we

have

tomb with tomb

chambers covered by groined (?) corbel

lintel similar to

The
closes the

entrance to the

has a

wooden

15865

but the brickwork which

Fig, 78.

doorw^ay does not

fill

the whole

length (east-west)

of the doorway see

V. Description of Tombs.

45

The

stairway projects over the southeast corner of the vault of 1584. burial, it is true, cuts into both the stairway of 1514 and the vault of
the break in the stairway extends

An

unfortunate Copti ic
pointy but

1584 at this

some

50

cm beyond

the break in the vault caused by the

1514.

Coptic

burial.

Therefore
of
super-

it

is

reasonably certain that 1584 was built after

Doorway
J

Traces
structure

were found on

the west and south sides

of N.

1514,

as

shown on
PL
28
<^'

'jtiUki

Map
As
and

\m^
.\y.^
r.

II,

see also

^.

in the case

of N.

1581

1506,

this

super(i)

structure consists of

central mass with nearly

perpendicular faces broken

by alternating simple and

^
77.

compound
on
and
50

offering niches
(?)

N. 1514.

Position of objects

in

tomb,

50.

the southern, western and northern

(2)

sides
ancieniTsur facei

of

low enclosure

wall at a distance of

modfm

surface

supersfrucfure

cm on

the south (and north?) and 80

cm on
All

3I[

TEL

the west from the face of the central mass.

faces

and the floor of the enclosure are plastered

with

mud

and with

thin coat of white plaster.

Parallel to the en-

The
are

niches are painted red.

closing wall,

on

a level ca.

50

cm below

its level,
78.

N. 1514.

Section of

stair,

ICX).

fragments

of

rough wall, not plastered

|||||

see

Map
it it

n (marked
be

on

the Map).
as

This wall
foundation

would
wall if
stands,

naturally

explained

were under the enclosing

is

wall.

As

it

to
as

me
a

inexplicable.

This wall has

79.

been

N.

1514.
i
:

Section
ICX).

80.

N. 1514.
of stair,
i
:

Section
too.

utilised

protection against the loose

1532,

of stair,

surface dirt

by N.

1^45 and

1583;

and may
as

be the remains of subsidiary complexes such

surround the royal tombs.

The

present state

of the walls

is

no doubt due

to sebba^in.
1514 (see Fig. 77)

Resting on the floor of N.

1.

and undoubtedly belonging to the

burial

were

Pan of

slate, PI.

48 ^, with depression.
PI.

Rim
PI.

broken.

Under
(all

were

2, 3,

4, 23, 24.
i.

2.

Bowl of

volcanic ash,
brecchia-like
(i).

48

^ with
light

depression. Broken
48'',

found).

Found under
Whole.

3.

Bowl of
under
2

volcanic

ash,

with depression.

Found

Ash

filled

with

green cubes of harder stone.

3

4.
5.

Bowl of Bowl of

slate,

PL 48 ^, with depression. Whole. Found under

ash,

(2, 1).
it

Bowl of volcanic
alabaster,

PL 48 ^ with depression. Whole.

48''.

Under

was

6.

6.

PL

Whole.

4|z

V. Description of Tombs.

7.

Bowl of

alabaster, Pi. 48

=,

without depression.
with depression.
(all

8.

Bowl of Bowl of
Plate

volcanic ash,
alabaster,
slate, PI.

PI. 48'',
".

Whole.

9.
10.

PL 48

Broken

found).

Under 9 were
lip

10, n, 20, 21, 22.

of
9.

48 S with

round bottom, without

or depression.

Found
Found

unter
11.

Whole.
volcanic ash,
(10, 9).

Bowl of
under
11

PI. 48'',

with depression.

Round bottom.

No

lip.

Edge broken.
48 ^ with depression.

12.
13.

Bowl of slate,
Plate

PI.

of

slate, PI.

Round bottom. No lip. Broken (all found). 48 ^ with depression. Round bottom. No lip. Whole.
48 % with depression. 48
=,

14.
15.

Bowl of Bowl of
with

alabaster, PI. alabaster, PI.

Whole, but
Bottom of
a

affected

by water.

with depression.

separate piece, fastened

it

fine pinkish

cement
48
''.

(plaster).

Rim

broken. Affected by water. Under

was

25.

16.

Plate
at 16

of

slate, PI.

Round bottom.
Under
'.

No
17,

depression or

lip.
^

Broken

half found

and half

at 28.
PI.

i<J

were

18

and

26.

17.

Pan of alabaster,

48

Without depression or

lip.

Rim

broken. Found under

17 {16).

16.

18.

Bowl of volcanic

ash, PI. 48

19.

Bowl of

alabaster,

PL 48

".

^ with depression. Whole. Found under Whole, but affected by water.

ash,

20.

Bowl of brecchia-like volcanic

PL 48

'',

with depression. Whole. Ash, sprinkled

with small blocks of harder darker stone.

21.

Found under

11

(10, 9).
(11, 10,

Bowl of

volcanic ash, PL

48^^,

with depression. Whole. Found under 20

fine

9).
".

22.

Lower
Upper
21

part

of bowl

of black-veined

white limestone (marble

?),

PL 48

part decayed and rest

II,

much

affected

by soaking

in water.

Found under

(20,

10,

9).

23.

Bowl of volcanic

ash,

PL 48 ^ with depression.
".

24.
25.

Cup of

alabaster,

PL 48

Whole. Found under 4 (3, Without depression or lip. Found under 23 (4, 3,

2, 2,

i).
i).

Bowl of alabaster, PL 48

<=,

with depression.
pieces),

Whole

but water soaked.

Found under

15.

26.

Bowl of
soaked.

alabaster,

PL 48= (two
18
'^.

with depression.

Broken

in two, water-

Found under
PL 48

(17,

16).

27.

Jar of alabaster,

Whole.
Without
H.
40.

28.

Rest of

(J.

29. Cylindrical jar

30.
31.

of alabaster, PL 48
in.

".

cord.

Whole.
on lower

Jar of

smooth red ware, type

PL

Broken.
30.

Jar of coarse red ware,

45. Jars

$6^, type v.
similar to

H.
31,

Vertical scratches
56^, type v.
37.

part.

32

of coarse red ware,

PL

46. Jar
47.

of smooth red ware, PL 6^, type

$6'',

in.

H.

Pot of brown ware, PL

type xxi, red painted, dull polish.

H.

22.

48. Flint knife,

PL 40 , roughly chipped.
5(J".

49. Like 47,

PL

Broken.

In the dirt near the floor in the northern end were found:
50.
51.

small piece of carved ivory,

PL

41

=.

fragment of a

mud

impression of

cylinder seal, PL 43.

V. Description of Tombs,
35^'<i
b

47

N.

1515,

Similar to 1585, see PI.

and

33

and
1515

Fig,

81, 82,

Axis points 55" east of south.

Like
sebba/tin.

ail

the big tombs, the site of

pit

The

was

filled

with

was marked by an irregular depression made by damp mass of decayed brick and gravel. The walls

themselves were so crushed by their

own
were

weight that the individual bricks

distinguishable only in the upper

courses.

Even

the sides of the door-

way on
not
be

the inside of the vault could

traced.

The
side

only

surfaces

preserved were on the southern end

and on the eastern

vault with groin

of the main
*

between them. That

on
a

the southern end was preserved to

ca. 120

height of

cmj and

to keep

it

from
the

falling, it

was necessary to leave

to

dirt

underneath

support the

underside of the vault.

corbel
that

These

bits

of

and
1515

groin

show

conclusively

N.

consisted of five chambers

vaults.
at
8l.

covered by groined corbel

In
200
building
the
roof,
floor,

N. 1515, plan,

lOO.

about

cm
a

above

the
built

the

make-

weight was not

but
filled

out to the gebel,

certain

space

was (hurriedly?)
PI. 35 ^

with gravel, see

stairway had

and

Fig. 82.

The

no

flanking

walls
82.

except for about 40

cm

next to the
stair

N. 1515, section

A B,

lOO.

doorway.

The

rest

of the

was

cut in the gebel; and the gebel was plastered with mud.

The doorway, owing

by
a

to the crushing of the bricks,

was not

clearly defined inside.

^,

But

outside across the front at a height of ca. 80

wooden
''.

lintel.

On

stripping
is

cm there was a line, see PI. 35 like that caused away the mud plaster, the wooden beam appeared, see

PI. 33

The

brick-work below

the seal or stopper to the doorway.

In the tomb, in the southwestern corner of the main chamber on the floor were found
the following objects:
1.

Half of bowl of

alabaster, PI. 50''.

PI. 50'',

The

rest

of the bowl

at

3.

2.
3,

Bowl of
See
1,

volcanic ash,

with depression.

Broken

(all

found).

4, 5

Bowl of
10.

alabaster, PI, 50

'',

with depression.

Broken

(all

found).

Plates of
plate.

brown
23

ware, red painted, line polish, type xxvi.

Lines cross face

of

Diam.

cm

(no. 7) to 30

cm

(no.

10).

48

V. Description of Tombs.

In addition the following

were found

in the

lower part of tomb in the part

corresponding to the northeastern chamber:

u.
1213.

Bowl of

alabaster, PI. 50

^ with

depression.

No

lip.

Broken

(all

found).

Flint, PI. 40''.

Cylindrical jar of alabaster,

Pieces of bowls of

PL 50 ^ without cord.

Rim broken.

14.
15.

brown ware, red

painted, line polished, type xxiv*.

xx(.

Fragments of red ware, red painted, type

Fragments of
jars

16.

of coarse red ware with

dirt

vertical scratches, type v.

Higher up mixed with surface

were found fragments of red ware and red polished

a light

ware of Middle to

New
these,

empire types and

green ring with the name of

Ti.

Near

these was a rubbing stone of dark green stone, smeared

on one

side

with green

paint.

At

about 200

cm from
slate

above the southern end of the tomb were found two fragments
a

of
M.
istt.

rough

palette

and

coarse pottery bowl, type xxix^.

<=.

Similar, so far as preserved, to 1585, see

PI. 24, 25, 2<J

and

Fig. 83

87.

Axis points 59

east

of south.

The
ca.
2

site

was occupied by

a depression

meters deep.

Below

this

was

wet

mass

of gravel
in the

and

decayed

mud

brick.

Even

mass of the heavy wall of the

corbel the forms of the individual bricks

were preserved only

mass of mud, see

in

the

upper partj
a
PI.26.

below the brickwork was compressed to

solid
PI.

26^ and

'=.

The

grave had probably

been entered through

the roof of the main vault and plundered.

Whether

the thieves

broke the vault or

in,
83.

whether they found the vault caved

the subsequent decay of the vault
is

N. 1513, plan,

lOO.

clear.

In the course of the annual wetting and

drying, vertical cracks
vault and sifted full

were formed

in the

of gravel and sand from

above, see cracks

PI.
26'=.

shown on

left

side

of
84.

These cracks grew deeper and

N. 15

wider

until the

weight of gravel caused

3,

section

A B,

lOO.

the unsupported flake of brickwork to

fall

inside the vault bringing with

it

certain

amount of

gravel.

At

the same

time the grave was slowly fillmg up

with gravel and sand trickling in firom

the opening.

This process continued

85.

n.

15 13, section

c d,

100.

V. Description of Tombs.
,"sv..

49

until
filled

the

grave was
as

so

up

.aS5:
to offer the

M^j.

^^^^
^^<^^^\

^^^ ^P"^"^
di

rest ot the vault a sup-

M^^j^

^y

port.
that
fell

The
some of

result

was

these flakes

off after

we

had re-

moved
25

the dirt from the

Plates 24

underside.

and

show the tomb

all

after

clearing out

debris. In

PL

24, the

stairway also

has been cleared and part

of the stone vessels in

86.

IN.I5I3.
N.
1

5 13.

Position of objects in tomb,

50.

the northeast corner re-

moved.

The

southern pair of chambers were empty.

The

vault
a

above them had sunk in;

solid

and the south end of the tomb was

mass of mud.

The

following objects were found in the tomb, see Fig. 86, 87

1.

copper blade,
J
1 ^

PI. 40*^,

mere modelj.

T.!

I his

was

(-11 found about

a

below, thick and heavy (not

10

87.

n. 1513. Position of upper Uyer

cm

above the
PI. 25.

of vessels in

NE

chamber,

JO.

floor at the spot

2
a.

marked with
PI.

hmestone chip on
left,

b.
3.

A A
A

copper axe blade,

copper blade,
PI.

40

"=,

above on the

capable of practical use.

40

=,

on

the right, above.

PI.

copper

chisel,

showing marks of hammering on the blunt end,

40% on

the right, middle.

4.
5.

Alabaster
6.

jar.

Pi.

46^.

Whole, but
PI.

affected

by water.

Bowl of
type

volcanic ash,

4^=.

Broken.
v.

7.

Jar

of coarse red ware,

7,

PI. $6^,

type

Vertical scratches

on

base.

H.

35.

8.

Like

v.

9.
10.

Bowl of
Like
7,

fine pink,
v.

red-veined limestone,

PI.

47

^.

Broken.

type

n.
12.

Bowl of

alabaster, PI. 47
PI.

Broken

(all

found).

Pot of brown ware,

h.
ca.
19.
7,

46^, red painted, line poUshed, type xxi.

Diam.

ca.

24,

13.

14.

Like

type
jar
jar

v.

15.

CyUndrical
Cylindrical

of clear

alabaster, PI.

47 ^

Raised cord, style

raised cord, style

a.
c.
c.

Whole. Whole. Whole.

16.
17.

of of

alabaster, PI. 47''.

alabaster, PI. 47
like
''.

Cyhndrical

jar

With With

raised cord, style

PI.

18.

Pan of

slate,
(all

with veins

volcanic ash,

46^.

Broken
19.

found).

Jar

of

alabaster, PI. 46^.

I.

Whole.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

^7

Depression inside in bottom.

50
'

V. Description of Tombs.

20.
21.

Slate pan, PI.

45 ^

With
".

depression.

Broken.

Bowl of
sion.

alabaster, PI. 47
slate,

With

ring.

Whole.
width 10.5,
h.

22.

Oval bowl of

PI.

46^,

Length

16,

7-5 cm.

With

depres-

Whole.
of
alabaster, PI. 46^.
jar,

23a. Jar
b.

Found

in b.

Whole.

Cylindrical

of

alabaster, PI.

47

''.

Whole.

24.
25.

Bowl of
Bowl of

alabaster, PI.

47

Whole.
alabaster.

Bowl with

spout, PI. 47

% of calcareous
PI. 47''.

Found

inside 24.

Spout broken

off.

26.
27. 28.

slate, PI.

46^ with

depression.

Badly shattered.

Cylindrical jar of alabaster,

Jar of alabaster, PI. 46^.

Whole.
Broken
found).

Whole.
stains, PI.

29.
30.
31.

Bowl of hard white limestone with pink

Small

47

(all

bowl of

alabaster, PI. 47
PI.

Cracked.

Saucer of alabaster,

47 ^

Whole.
".

32.
33.

Small bowl of alabaster, PI. 47

Whole.
Broken.

Bowl of white Bowl of

Jar

limestone, PI. 47 \

34.
35.

alabaster, PI.

47 % with depression.

Water

soaked, rim broken.

of
of

alabaster, PI. 46^.

Whole. Whole,
affected
'',

35. Jar
37.

alabaster,

PL 46^.

by water.

Cylindrical jar of alabaster, PI. 47

without cord.

Whole. Whole.
a.

38.

Cup of

hard volcanic ash,

PI.

46^, with depression.

''.

39.

40.
41.

With sunk cord in relief, style Cylindrical jar of alabaster, PI. 47''. With cord, style a. Whole. Bowl of white limestone, PI. 47 ^ With depression. Whole.
Cylindrical jar of alabaster, PI. 47

Whole.

42.

Oval bowl of

alabaster, PI.

47

^.

Length
''.

23

5,

width
cord.

16,

h.

11.

43. Cylindrical jar

of

alabaster, PI.
PI.

47

Without
Broken
PI.

Rim

broken.

44.
45.

Bowl of Bowl of

volcanic ash,

46^, with depression.

PI.

Rim

broken.

Shallow bowl of alabaster,

47 \

(all

found).

46.
47.

dark-veined volcanic ash,

46^, with depression.

Broken

(all

found).

Bowl of dark-veined
of

volcanic ash,

PL 46^, with

ring depression.

Broken

(all

found).

48. Cylindrical jar

alabaster,

PL

47''.

With

cord, style a.

Whole.

49. Small
50.
51.

bowl of pink red-veined limestone, PL 47 ^ Whole. Fragment slate pan like 20 and 26.
Fragments of alabaster bowl, PL 47 % with depression.
Cylindrical jar of alabaster, PL
47''.

52.
53.

With

cord, style a.

Whole.
Whole.

Jar

of

alabaster,

PL 47

''.

Whole.
PL 46^, with depression. PL 47 ^.
PL 47 ^

54.
55.

Bowl of

light blue volcanic ash,

Cylindrical jar of alabaster,

With

cord, style
cord. cord.

c.

Whole.

$6. Cylindrical jar

57.

of

alabaster, alabaster,

Without

Whole. Whole.

Cylindrical

jar

of

PL 47

''.

Without

58. Jar

of

alabaster,

PL 46^.

Whole, but water-soaked.

V. Description of Tombs.
59. Cylindrical jar

5t
c.

of

alabaster, PI. 47
alabaster, PI.

^.
^.

With

cord, style
cord.

Whole.

60. Cylindrical jar

61.

of

47

Without
Without

Whole.
Whole.

Cylindrical jar of alabaster, PL 47

Cylindrical jar of alabaster, PI. 47

\ Without \
*>.

cord. cord. cord. cord.

62.
63.

Whole.

Cylindrical jar of alabaster,

PI.

47

Without Without

Whole.
Whole. Whole.
polish inside, type xxv.

64. Cylindrical jar of alabaster,

6$.

PI. 47''.

Bowl of

alabaster, PI. 47

".

Depression.

66. Cylindrical jar

6-j.

of

alabaster, PI.
PI. $6^,

Rim broken. 47^ With cord style

b.

Bowl of brown ware,

Broken.

red painted, vertical

line

65. Plate

of brown ware,

PI. $6^,

red painted, line polished, type xxvi.

Lines cross

face

of

plate.

Diam.

34.

69. Like 68, type xxvi.

70.
71.

Diam.

^6.

Like

67,

type xxv.

Diam.

30, h.

13.

Coals in dirt beside

iii.

it.

Jar of

smooth reddish ware, type

viii,

H.

40.

72. Jar
73.
.74.

of coarse red ware, type

7,

PI. $6^.

H.

19.

Like

type type
type

v.

H.

32.

Like Like

72, 72,

viii. viii,

H.

20.
18.

75.

H.

Broken.
viii,

76. Jar

of coarse red ware, type

salt

Fl. $6^.

With white

surface (due to accidental

action of
77.

or other mineral?).
v.

H.

25.

Like Like

7,

type

78.

91,

type xxvi.

All broken.

79. 80.
81.

Like 76, type

viii.

Jar

of smooth brown ware, of coarse red ware,

viii.

Fl.

56^, red painted, type

ix.

Bottom not

flat.

Cracked.

82. Jar
83.

Fl.

56^'',

type

vi.

Like 76, type Like

81,

84.
8^.

PI. 56^,
flat

type

ix. 91,

Stack of five

pans like

type xxvi.
type xxvi.

Broken. Broken.
line

86. Stack
87.

of three

flat

pans

like 91,

Small pot of

brown

ware,

PI. 56^,

red painted,

polish,

type

xxi*".

Fire

stained and broken.

88. Jar

of brown ware, PL 56^'', red painted, smooth, type

88,

iii.

Pot mark, see Pottery, type

iir.

89.

Like

type

in.
in.

90. Jar
91.

of brown ware, PL 55'', red painted smooth, type

flat

Pot marks, see Pottery, type iir.Lines

Stack

pans, of

brown ware, PL

$6^, red painted, line polish, type xxvi.

cross inside of plate.

92.

Stack of three bowls, PL 56^, of

lines inside),

brown

ware, red painted, line polish (vertical

91,

type xxv, and two pans Uke

alabaster

type xxvi.

In addition

number of fragments of

and volcanic ash were found in the debris

of the tomb, see the unnumbered pieces

PI.

46^ and PL 47 ^

52

V. Description of Tombs.

Two
on
the

skeletons

were found
(b).

in

the tomb,

one

in the

main chamber

(c)

and one in the

northeastern chamber
left

Both were crushed and rotten, but both were certainly contracted
(local),

side

with the head to the south

see

PL

25

and 26^.

About

the neck of

the skeleton in chamber b,

were black and white

cylindrical

beads, like the second necklace

(ca. 20

from the bottom

slate bracelet,

PI. 42.

Above

the skeleton in the

main chamber

cm), was found a

PL

41

*.

The distribution of the objects which we had in 1581 and similar to

in the grave present the

that in 1532;
1581

same appearance of plundering

and

similarly

two chambers

are empty, here

It

the south chambers while in the case of

the north chambers were empty.

could not be

determined whether these chambers were originally empty or had contained,

probable, perishable objects and materials.
M. 15S4.

as

seems more

Similar to 1586, but with only

one chamber

at

each end, see PL

29, 30,

Map

11

and

Fig. 88, 89.

Axis points 49 east of south.

The

site

was

as usual

occupied by
filled

,,,^, ,, ,,,!,,,

^^^em

s orfac.
denuded

depression; and the grave was

with

wet mud and

gravel.

The
dirt.

east

end of

the southern chamber

three -fourths full of

however was only

This grave
is

the smallest stairway grave

of

this

type
N. 1584.
Section east-west,
I
:

lOO.

found

(see

however the
its

imitative

corbel,

N.

1611);

and

floor

is

on
is

higher level than any of the stairway tombs described above.

better preserved than in the other graves of this type.

Therefore, the brick work

The The

pit contains three

is

chambers covered by three corbel vaults with rounded corners.

careless.
<^.

brickwork

extremely

The
were

inner face of the corbel consists of alternate courses

face, the wall
is

of headers and stretchers, see PL 30

Behind the

packed for the most part with

carelessly laid headers; but stretchers

freely used especially to

even out the alternate courses

1

on

the surface next to the gebel.

The

outside walls at the bottom were at least

brick thick.

The
all

dividing walls are i brick thick,

stretchers

overlapping.
is

The

southern
It

^ndenfsurPdce

nind^s/ir f;icp

x<emains

of enclosing wall 1514.^

dividing wall alone

is

well preserved.

o/ bonded with the outside wall

from

the

bottom up to the tenth course.

The
is

sanci
5tfafa

corbel begins, so far as the dividing wall

concerned, with the eighth course.

the
wall
first

Thus
89.

two corbel courses of the

dividing

N. 1584.

Section north-south,

lOO.

are

not bonded with the main corbel.

a

The

eight lower courses in

the

dividing wall

either

owing to

depression in the floor, or to closer laying, do not attain the height of the

corresponding eight courses in the main wall.

consists

So the ninth course (second corbel course)

of bricks on edge bringing the top ot the ninth course ot the dividing wall level
PI. 30
".

with the top of the ninth course of the outside wall, see
dividing wall
is

The

plastering of the

uniform with that of the main

vault.

Therefore, certainly the dividing wall

V. Description of Tombs.

53

on

the south end, and judging from the remains probably that

on

the north

end

also,

was

an afterthought (possibly made necessary by an unexpected weakness of the vault) and was

not begun

until course nine

is

of the main vault had been

laid.

The

entrance

approached from the valley side by steps cut in the gebel and plastered.

The

sides

of the stairway are lined with walls i brick thick (overlapping stretchers); but the tops
a

of these two walls consist of of the

stair

header course doubling the width of the top.

side wall have

The

outer end

and the top of the southern

itself is built in

been cut away by

sebba/;ttn

or Copts.

The doorway
lings.

two
is

sections, see Fig. 88, both covered with

That

part of the vault

which

above the doorway rested on the

wooden sapwooden roof of the

the upper section.
available.

lower section.

The

brick lintel of the

doorway rested on the wooden roof of

Owing to the denudation of the surface, no evidence as to superstructure was The northwest corner of the stairway of 1514 would if complete extend over
of
1584.

the vault
a

Both the stairway of

stairway
is

1514

and the vault of 1584 were broken

at this

point by
If this

Coptic

burial.

The
as

broken away for about 50

1584,

cm beyond
is

the burial.

break was

made

seems probable by the builders of

then 1584

later in date

than

1514,

theory

made

plausible

by the

relative position

of the two tombs.

the following objects, see Fig. 90
missing.
left.

On

the floor of the

1.

tomb were found

Ivory

ladle, PI. 41''.

Tip of handle
^,

2.

Slate bracelet, PI. 41

second from the

Piece missing.
3.

FHnt

bracelet, PI.
at

41'',

on the
3

left.

4.

Fragments of

least

ivory bracelets andright

_=
6[^

y,

two fragments of a
Beads of garnet, e
glazed
6.
7. 8.

flint bracelet, PI. 41'';

Y
1514.
, _,

7]

^/

\7o<:hmt<

half of second row.

5. -'
7

WM^!^MM^7^^^/^^^^WIW7W77^W>.

PI.

41% T^
of

'

;
'

of carnelian and
90.
off",

N.

.^. , u, r j found, Position of objects

, I

.^ 10.

steatite

(?),

glaze
jar jar

worn

PL

41
"=.

^,

b.

Small cyUndrical Small cylindrical

alabaster, PI. 41

Whole.
'^.

of volcanic
41
"=.

ash, PI. 41

Whole.

Comb

(?)

of

slate,

PL

9. 10. Jars

of coarse red ware of type v (found in the southern chamber).

part.
at

With

vertical scratches
N. 1572.

on lower

Similar to 158^ but with

two chambers
marked by
a

one end, see Map

i.

Axis points about 43 east of north.

filled

The
of

site

was

as

usual

depression.

The

substructure was

with

mass

mud

and

gravel.

The chambers

in the east

end were inferred from the pots which were

(calf?)

in the north

chamber and from the bones of an offering animal

itself

which were in the

south chamber; for the structure

the stairway
is

was simply

solid mass

of melted brickwork.

Only

well preserved.

The
laid

stairway descends to the entrance from the north and consists of

mud

brick steps

on

gebel.

The

sides are lined with walls i brick thick (overlapping stretchers).

The doorway is roofed with wooden logs and blocked The surface had been denuded leaving no evidence of

with brickwork.
superstructure.

54 This tomb
is

V. Description of Tombs.
built close to 1571 across the place

formerly occupied by the stairway of

1572
(cf.

1571.

The
3074).

stairway of

1571

was probably destroyed to permit the construction of

1571,

3061

and

The

superstructure of
building
as

unless

it

set

back further than usual, must have been more

or

less injured in
1571

1572.

The

superstructure of 1572 must have been built against that

offering place
is

of

but avoiding,

was to be expected, the main, or southern,

of

1571.

The anomalous
This points to the
sites

position of the stairway

1513

on the north

side (cf. 1626)

a

to be explained

by

the feet that the presence of

prevented the construction of

stairway

on the

valley side.

feet that 1572

was one of the

later

tombs

built after all

the independent

were occupied.

The
of

stairway extended up over the vault of 160$ and was apparently cut
160$.

away

in the construction

Thus
east.
jar,

1572 is clearly later

than

1571

and of
a

1513

but

earlier

than

1505.

On

the floor of the main

left side,

chamber was found the

traces

skeleton

(PI. 31'^)

lying

contracted on the
1.

head

At

the feet were:

h. 25
h.

Alabaster cylindrical Alabaster cylindrical

with cord,

cm, diam.
13

12.
15.

2. 3.

jar,

without cord,
20, diam.

cm, diam.
7,5

Alabaster

jar,

type Six^, h.

mouth

cm.

In the northern chamber, embedded in the decayed brickwork were:

10.

Pots, type V.
(calf?).

In the southern chamber were the bones of an offering animal

In the dirt of the chamber was found
slate
N. IMS.
a

lot

of fragments of stone vessels of

alabaster,

and volcanic ash

Similar to 158^.

(PI. 51 *).

Axis points about 54

35
">

east

of south.

See PL 34 and

K
as

The

site

of

this

tomb was,
ca. 150

usual,

marked by

depression
filled

cm

deep.

The

pit

was

with a mass of

mud

(decomposed

brick)

and

gravel. In the walls

the brickwork was so crushed while wet,

by

its

own

weight that the individual bricks

fif-i

were
I

indistinguishable.

At

the north end,

worked myself
of the

for several hours, trying

to find the
side

dividing walls and the undervault,

but in vain, although the

tpi.-^

position of both

was

clearly

marked by the
PI.

91.

N. 1605. Plan,

lOO.

pottery in the northeast chamber, see

34 ''.

However, the mass of mud

in the pit

and

the distribution of the antiquities are both

characteristic

of tombs of the type of

1586.

The

walls of

better

wooden roof tombs are always preserved because the wooden roof

decays before the brickwork has suffered,

thus letting in a mass of sand which not
92.

N. 1605.

Section

A B,

lOO

V. Description of Tombs.

55
Therefore
it is

only protects the inner faces but also relieves the wall of the weight above.
certain that 1605

was

tomb with
filled

five

chambers covered with corbel

PI.

vaults.

The
were
li

stairway was

with stones,

34 ^'

"*.

The

steps

were of

brick.

The

side walls

bricks thick, consisting of three stretcher courses backed with headers alternating with
stretchers.

one header course backed by

The doorway was covered by wooden

logs as usual.

The

surface

was so denuded

that

all

evidence on superstructure was wanting.

a

In the angle between the stairway and the north end of the tomb, there was
corbel vault (N. 1648, see
PI. 35
^)

small

with

single

chamber and entrance on the south. This was

completely plundered with the exception of two pots of the

its

common
its

type (type

v).

Owing
tomb

to
is

position, the stairway

of 1^05 must have been

built

across

entrance, and the

therefore earlier than 1505.

In the

mud from

10

cm

above the floor of the main chamber, were found nine small-

bore black

seal cylinders, PI. 43.

These were found

just

in crushing with the fingers the chuncks

of

mud

chipped off the debris

part,

above the

floor.

After the

first

one was found,

all

the

dirt

from the upper

which had been

carried out,

was
1

also

worked over but without

finding any cyUnders. objects

These

cylinders received the

numbers

to 9.

On

the floor, the following

were found
10.

in position, see Fig. 91

PI. 50

Cylindrical jar of alabaster,

% without cord.

Found

lying

on top of the
Broken

skeleton of a calf (?),

u.

PI. 35''.

Whole,
PI.

Cylindrical jar
(all

of black

basalt,

50

^,

with fine raised cord

typ'e b.

found).

12.
'

13.

Cosmetic dish of

slate
a

in

the

form of

bull's

head, PI. 41=.

Opens by

revolving one-half about

14.
15

hole through the neck.

Whole. Eyes
found).

inlaid, shell.

Pan of
21.

slate, PI.

50

% with depression.
varieties

Broken
of type

(all

Jars

of coarse red ware,

v.

The

following were also found in the lower stratum of

22.

mud:

Oval bowl of volcanic

missing from side,

ash, PI. 50

with depression.

No

lip.

Broken, small piece

h. ca. 18.

23.

Fragments of

flat

slate plate,
jar

type S xxvi.
basalt, PI. 50
.

24.
25.

Top

of cylindrical

of black

With cord
.

in relief, style

b.
lip.

Fragments of bowl of white

limestone,

PI. 50

Without depression or

Round bottom.
i6.
27. 28. N. 1626.

Fragments of bowl of volcanic Fragments of

flint

ash, PI. 50
''.

Depression and

lip.

bracelet, PI. 41

Fragments of copper needles,

158^,

PI. 41''.

In construction similar to

but with marked differences.

Axis 43

east

of south.

of this tomb was not marked by any noticeable depression. The tomb was found in searching for small tombs between i5o8 and 1581. The roof was nearly intact (PI. 3<J% the plaster has been cleared off" by me except at southern end) but the roof as well as the door-

The

site

block showed holes through which thieves

pletely plundered except for four pots

may have

entered anciently.

The

interior

was com-

of type v in the northeastern corner of the main

56

V. Description of Tombs.

chamber (PL

3<J'*).

The
at

substructure

consists

of

main chamber and apparently two end

roofed with
a

chambers on the south end.

The main chamber,

cavities

at least, is

groined corbel.

The door
with branches

is

the north end, roofed

(PI. }6^'

S where the
are visible}

containing rotten

wood

and

3<J*^

where the

line

of plaster across top of door

block, covers the wood).

The doorway
3(J'''
"^'

is

a
93.

truncated corbel arch

(PI.

"*),

blocked
at

N. 1626, plan,

100.

with brickwork

as usual.

The

approach

present consists of an irregular incline cut

in the gebel

and lined with

a 1-brick wall

which

is

preserved only

at the

north end

(see Fig. 93, 94)

and appears to have been

94.

roofed with wood.

N. 1626, Section

A B,

lOO.

On

the floor
1

were found:
type
V.

4. Pots,

6.

Small tombs with corbel roof and entrance, type B.

tombs with
a

1.

a.

The
rest

small

corbel roof and an entrance

on the

side or end,

all

lie

in the

northern part of the cemetery, see

Map

i.

As

this

part

had been more disturbed than the

less

of the cemetery, these graves had

all

been more or

hacked to pieces in modern

as well.

times.

But

i<5i4

seems to show that there had been ancient plundering

is

The chamber
usually approached

oblong, covered by either

;

round cornered

(1619)

or
3014).

groined corbel.

In only one case were there end chambers {i6n

see

however N.

3022

and

The

entrance
is

is

by

a sloping

trough cut in the gebel.

The

lintel

of the doorway

of wood.

When
seba/j

work began,

this part

of the cemetery was covered with heaps of gravel from the

refuse.

sieves,

broken Coptic bones and other cemetery

After this uneven layer had

in the

been removed, the gebel surface underneath was found very much broken especially
vicinity

of the graves.

At no point was

the upper stratum which was recovered in the middle

part.

and southern parts of the cemetery, found preserved in the northern

about the graves the gebel was usually cut

And

immediately
silt

down

to

hard black stratum of

all

which

is

found

at a

depth of 50 to 100
ravines.

cm below

the surface in

the land tips between the second

and the third

Furthermore, the shallowness of the Coptic graves which are here only 40
instead of 100
160,
it

60
at

cm

deep

shows

that the surface in

Coptic times was considerably higher than

present.

Therefore

is

certain that the gebel surface

of the

first

dynasty must have been from

is

50 to 100 cm, above that

now

preserved.

And
it

therefore the truncation of vaults

due to the

destruction of the upper strata of the gebel.

partly above ground.

It is

not to be assumed that these vaults were

(1)

Bearing on this point,

may be added

that the vaults

show no

trace

of plastering or

finishing

on

the outside,

(2)

that they are

never higher than the gebel about

V. Description of Tombs.

57
the gebel
for
is

them,
all

(3)

that the entrance passages

extend upward

as

far as

preserved and are in

cases incomplete and (4) that the allowance

all

of 50

100
in

cm

denudation would permit

the supposition that

vaults

were complete beneath the

which
are

surface of the second dynasty.

These tombs present

For the
first

features

apparently copied from the large corbel vaul^

time

we

find small tombs,

of

a size

which

wooden roofed tombs could

Assuming

easily

have been entered from above, entered fi*om the side or end.

that the corbel vault

was desired on account of cheapness, the form with

stair

could only have been adopted

It
is

because the corbel was already in use for big tombs with
'

stairs.

probable that at this

time, the 'corbel vaulted stairway

tomb had become

is

the

prevailing

type and was therefore

\6\\

copied in the smaller tombs.

This

especially evident in

tombs

like

(3022, 3014)

where

even the end chambers are copied

as useless

rudimentary compartments.
1611,

The tombs
These tombs,
low ground.
N. 1611.

of

this

imitative type

are

\6\\,

1614,

16^13,

15^2, 1^19, 1648, K533, 1622, i6}o.

facilitate

just

as in

cem. 3000,

utilize

usually the slope

of the ground to
is

the

approach of the sloping passage to the entrance.

The

entrance

on the

side

towards the

Rectangular pit containing stairway

tomb of mud
two chambers

brick with vaulted roof and

at

each end, see PL

37^-''.

Owing

to

its

size

and position on the

I

edge of the slope of the ravine,

included
this

have

tomb with
east

the

class

of

imitative small
axis points 35
"

tombs with entrance. The

of north.

The

stair-

way

enters
e.

from the slope of the

ravine,

i.

from the north.

as

The end chambers

central

well as the

chambers are roofed with a groivault.

ned corbel

The end chambers

also

are

connected with the central chamber by

plastered

doorways

roofed with

a
95-

P^.37l^
N. 161
J,

corbel arch.

plan,

50.

The brickwork was

sible

inacces-

except on the south side of

the central chamber.

Here the

wall

began with

overlapping stretcher

causes, then there

were one header

courses.

and

stretcher
to

The
courses
96.

eighth

the

sixteenth

N. 1611.

Section

C-D,

1:50.

were

alternately header

and

stret-

cher courses.
bricks

The

corbel vault

sprang from about the fourth course,

all

Behind the surface

of

all

courses above the fourth, the bricks were

I.

headers.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

58

V. Description of Tombs.

The stairway consisted of four mud-brick steps descending between mud-brick The doorway was roofed with wood and blocked with brickwork. walls. The tomb was completely plundered j and the surface had been cut
to pieces
sebbaftin.

retaining

by Coptic

burials

and by

On

the floor of the central

a

chamber was
In chamber a

single

pot

(type

v).

were fragments
:

of

a
N. 1611.
Section

limestone dish without rim

the remain of a skull
a fragment
:

in c

were
97.

A B,

1:50.

and in

d was
(?)

of

human femur

and

fragment of a red line -polished bowl.

In the dirt

was
a
M. 1*12.

fragment of dull black-top red polished ware, two small saucers of brown ware and

fragment of a majur of red painted ware.

rectangular pit cut in the hard alluvial

strata, see PI. 39'.

Axis points

ca.

47 east of

south.

The

pit lies

on

the northern edge of

is

the alluvial slope

situated.

on which the cemetery

The

vault above touches the east side

it is

of the vault of i6u so that

the

probable that
N. i6l2.
Plan,

two

are nearly

contemporaneous.
i
:

The

walls

below are for three courses

stretchers).
5

50.

i brick thick

(all

Above

that so far as

preserved, they are

stretchers
5

brick thick.

In the
j

south wall courses 4 and

stretchers
;

from below consist of

consists

of headers

of

and

12

consist of headers.

The

other walls vary slightly, as the binding at the

comers

is

not uniform.

The

surfaces of the

walls and

doorway

inside are plastered.

is

The doorway
with bricks.

approached by
is

slo-

ping descent cut in the gebel and

blocked
is
99.

The

stratum of black gebel

on

N. 1612.

Section

a level

with the top of the south wall,

at a

A- B,

1:50.

but the top of the descent to the entrance terminated, perhaps,

than the top of the vault.

point

on

the slope lower

cf. idip.

The

Imtel of the

doorway was probably of wood,

In the dirt were found some fragments of vessels of alabaster and limestone, see

PI.

37^5

but
M. MI3.

it

is

uncertain whether they belong to this

i6ii.

tomb or
entirely

to

1611.
i

Similar to

Axis points 50 east of south. Walls, from bottom,

brick thick, stretchers

with occasional header course.

destroyed.

Grave almost

See Fig. 100 and

loi.

A--

N. 1613, Plan,

50.

100.

N. 1613.

Plan,

SO.

V. Description of Tombs.
M. 1614.

59
Groined corbel
vault.

Similar to

1611,

see PI.

39^.
1

Axis points 45 east of south.

Walls

on

sides i brick,

on ends

brick thick.

102.

N. 16 14

Plan,

50.

103.

N. 1614.

Section

AB,

$0.

N. 1562.

Similar to i6ii

1614, see PI. 39

^.

Axis
a

points 4<J east of south.

Covered by

groined

(?)

corbel vault.

The

base of walls

are li brick thick to a height of about 50

cm.

At

this

point begins the make-weight of the

corbel vault increasing the thickness of the

wall
rests

by about

25

cm.

The make -weight

has melted to the

on gebeL The brickwork

mud.
of the northern
it is

into a solid mass of

Owing

destruction

end of the

tomb by
or not.

sebba^in,

impossible to deter-

mine whether there were

end chambers
104.

N. 1562 and

1616.

Plan,

JO.

The doorway
a natural state.
It is

is

roofed with tree branches in

a

approached by

sloping trough
e

cut in the desert, and blocked with brickwork.

Plundered.

N.

1616

was buHt across the SE

corner cutting into the brickwork and was therefore built later than 15^2, see PI. 39
<*.

On

the floor of the

1.

tomb were found:

smooth pink ware, type xvn,

105.

N. 1562.

Section

A-B,

$0.

Small pot of
PI. 51".

2.
3.

Alabaster pot,

PI. 51''. PI. 51''.

Alabaster saucer,

4.
5.

Small pot of pink ware, type xvi,

PI. 51'^.

Limestone saucer,
7.

PI. 51''.

DOO
io6.

6.
8.

Jars

of coarse ware, type

PI. 43

v, PI.

51''.

N. 1562, Pottery.

Black seal cylinder,

\
steatite (?)

9.

Beads: string of cylindrical beads of grey

pendant.

and limestone

(?);

one

shell

See

PI. 42,

i.

N. 1619.

Similar to

16121614,

see PI, 37'=<^.

Axis points 48 east of south.

a

There

is

single

chamber with rounded corners covered by

corbel vault sprmging from the third or fourth

6o
course.

V. Description of Tombs.

The lower
a

part

of the walls

is

i brick thick to

height of about 40 cm. so as

to

Here the

wall

thickens

form

make- weight to the corbel

vault.
^^^

The doorway is at the NE corner. It is roofed with wood and blocked with brickwork. The approach is a plastered
incline

between two brick retaining walls

at the

and ends

door in

a single step.
built after
i<Ji8 (1501).

107.

N. 16 19.

Plan,

50.

Completely plundered. Apparently

108.

N. 1619.

Section

A B,

50.

109.

N. 16 1 9.

Section

C D, 1:50.

Similar to
in the angle

15(^2,

see PI. 35", 39

and

Fig. 91.

Axis points 53 east of south. This tomb stands

vault of
16^05

between the stairway of 160$ and the northern part of the

stairway

(see 1^05).

The

northern retaining wall of the

of 160$ passes of
156^2.

immediately in front of the

therefore certain that 1648
is

entrance
earlier

block
16^05

It

is

than

which from

its

position
in the

is

either the latest or next to the latest large

tomb
no.
''.

cemetery.

Plundered.
M. 1633.

On
156^2

the floor

were two pots of type

v.

N. 1648.

Section

CD,

1:50.

Similar to

but with entrance

on sou^h

side,

see PI. 39

Axis points 44 east of

north.

Single

chamber covered by corbel

vault with

rounded corners.

The

wall

is

for three

112.

N. 1633.

Section

A B,

1:50.

III.

N. 1633.

Plan,

50.

113.

N. 1633.

Section

CD,

1:50.

V. Description of Tombs.

61
to

courses from bottom, 1 brick thick,

all

stretchers:
plaster
is

above, the wall thickens

form make-weight of

corbel.

The mud

pressed into the corners

thus giving the

made

by the courses of

brick in the corbel (see

fig. 114)

irmer surface a ribbed appearance.

The

threshold of the door

is

is

at the

top of the third course.

The doorway
approached by
brickwork.

roofed with wood, supporting corbel above, and

a steep

rough trough

in gebel.

It is

blocked with
114.

N. 1633.

115.

N. 1633.
I
:

Plaster.

Pot,

10.

Plundered and cut by Coptic graves,

four pots of type v.
N. 1622.

On

the

floor

were

Nearly rectangular

pit

cut in the

alluvial strata, PI. 38"=.

Axis points
(west of south?).

ca.

48

east

of north
a corbel

Covered by
which
are

vault the corners of

off above 50

rounded

cm by

laying bricks radiating

around corner.
laid

Bricks in make-weight
116.

very carelessly and irregularly. Doorthe valley (or west side) apa

N. 1622.

Plan,

50.

way on
gebel.

proached by

sloping passage cut in

Roofing of doorway uncertain.

bricks.

Doorway blocked by mud

found the pots shown in
1.

In the dirt near the floor were

PI. ss^:

Bowl of red painted brown

ware, line polished, type xxiv.

Horizontal lines on rim in117.

N. 1622.

Section

AB,

$0.

side

and out:
Diam.

vertical lines
ca. 22,

inside.
2.

h. 9.

Bowl of hard baked red ware, painted red

side

in-

and on rim, type

I,

xxi^-

*.

3.

Like
7.

type xxiv*.

Jars

of coarse red ware, type

vir.

8.

Jar

of coarse red ware, contents river sand and

Vertical scratches

small univalve shells, type v.

below.
9. Jar

of red painted brown ware, type

scratches below.

v.

Ver-

tical
10.

Jar

of hard coarse red ware, type

like 7.

vi,

thick
us.
n. 1622.
Pottery,

bottom

Contents,

mud

plug.

1:50.

62
M. U3*.

V. Description of Tombs.

Rectangular pit cut in the

(or 48 west of south?).

alluvial
is

strata,

see PI. 38. bandd^

Axis points 48 east of north

a

There

a single rectangular

chamber covered by

groined corbel

vault springing

from the third course.

Facing of
I
1

stretcher courses with an occasional header course.

Make-w eight of
headers.

bricks

and mud,

above
The
small

mostly
sticks

Carefully
PI. 38
"

plastered.

seen in

projecting from the wall, are the

the wall.

roots of a

weed which have grown through

is

--B
'"^/^//////// /////M^.

There

doorway on the
a

valley side (local

west) approached by
gebel.

sloping passage cut in the

is

The doorway
line

protected by a
cuts

corbel

r
YlzM1

vault which, of course,

a

the main corbel in

curved

which

lies

in the surface of both

119.

N. 1630.

Plan,

50,

corbels.

In other words the inner

comers of the
wards the

doorway

curve

both towards each other and toeast

end of the chamber.

is

The doorway
brickwork.

blocked

with

On
I

the floor
3.

were found:
lines of doorwaif

Jars

ofred ware, type V.

120.

and

of

NW comer arecomcidenr.
N. 1630.
Section

4. Jar

of smooth red painted

1x4.

A B,

$0.

brown ware, type

5.

Pan of red ware, red painted,

also
a

line polishes,

type xx.

And
sebbahin.
N. 1523.

few

scattered

human

bones.

Plundered by

Two

tombs lying close together were numbered

relation

1523.

Their
121.

chronological

was not discoverable

as

both had been

N. 1630.
Section

broken

at the

point of contact.

The

southern tomb

C D,

50.

is

a rec-

tangular well

which gave some evidence of having

slabs like the third
lies

been roofed with stone

graves in

dynasty

cemetery 500 which

immediately to

the south.

In that case, the southern tomb which

was completely plundered would be of the third

dynasty and later than the northern tomb.

The northern tomb was

corbel vault (see
duction).
PI. 39"=,

badly

preserved

picture reversed in reproit

If there

was an entrance

must have

been over the large boulder lying under the southeastern side where the wall
is

broken through.

On
Plan,
I
:

account of the doubt, the northern tomb

may belong

50.

V. Description of Tombs.

63
it

to the closed corbel type.

The

stone vessels found in

in closed corbels.

resemble the types of cem. 500

none of which however were found

123.

N. 1533.

Long

section,

50.

124.

N. 1523.

Stone vessels,

lo.

The
less

northern tomb had also been plundered and no bones were found.

But

five

stone

vessels lay in disorder in the northern corner (PI. 50').

Nos.

14

are

of

alabaster,

more or

waterworn.

No.

is

of red and white brecchia.

7.

Tombs

consisting of a single chamber,

a
162})

closed corbel vault,

type B.
There
cemetery
N. 1623.

2. a.
a closed corbel vault (see

are only
1523

two tombs

in this

cemetery which consist of

lie

however N.
;

above).

Both of these (N. 1^40 and N.

on

the
itself.^

outskirts

of the

and probably do not belong to the period of the cemetery

a rec-

This tomb consists of

tangular hole containing a closed

corbel.

The

axis points 35

west

of north.

The

first

eight

courses

(ca.

56 cm) of brickwork form

tangular well the walls of
are

a rec-

which
Ground
plan.

i brick thick,
this,

all

stretchers.
Horizontal section at

Above
weight.

F.

Section

A B.

the walls thicken to

114

n6.

N. 1623.

1:50.

form the

corbel

and

its

makethe

The

corners

of the corbel are rounded by laying headers radiating around

corners and plastering.

There was no entrance.

The tomb was

found in the
N. 1640.

completely plundered.

fragment of pottery and another of

a

slate

were

dirt.

The

east wall

was cut by

Coptic

burial.

This tomb consists of

ca.

a rectangular

hole containing a closed corbel.

The

axis

points

40
'

west of north.
tombs of a
different

Isolated

period

is

a very

common phenomenon
five corbels

in

the cemeteries

of Naga-ed-Dfir.

Cem. 35*' presenting

mainly stone-roofed tombs of the third dynasty contained

with entrance of the second dynasty and one predynastic grave.

Cem. 500 presenting stairway and

shaft

mastabas of the third and fourth dynasties contained one grave of the intermediate period between
also

the sixth and the twelfth dynasties.

Cem. 3000

contained three tombs of the old empire, one of the middle empire and one of the

Coptic period.

64

VI.

The Excavation of cemetery.

N. 3000.

The brickwork
them.

is

poorly preserved.
off

The

comers seem to be cut

by stretchers across

The

vault contains a red pottery coffin

as are

with rounded comers such

common

in the

graves in the third dynasty cemeteries (cem. 3500

and cem. 500

700).

But the tomb was other128. N. 1640. Plan,

I
:

wise completely plundered.

50.

129.

N. 1640.

Long

section,

50.

8.
M.

Addenda.
was
a

MW.

On
The

the southern extremity of the cemetery in the eroded strip

1639.

complex of
east).

walls

numbered

The
are

southern wall ran about 28 north of west (or south of

walls

so cut to pieces

by Coptic

burials

that

the exact form of the

tomb

to

which the heavy outside

walls

belonged,

is

indeterminable.

But the tops of the walls were

plastered and at

some points
any rate
a

So we have

at

wood were wood-roofed tomb. By

traces

of

found.
the in,

sertion of small crosswalls, the western part has

been given
130.

the form of a chamber with

two

additional

end chambers.
N. 1639.
Plan,
I
:

On
N. 1585.

the west side, a

few bones were found accompanied

pan ftype
S. xviii, 12).

50.

by fragments of

a flat alabaster

On
ca.

the south of

N.

1514,

above N.

1(^45,

an oval pottery coffin was found in an irregular

east

hole
tially

60

cm

deep.
a

The
is

axis

of the box ran about 45

of south.

The box was

this

par-

covered by

limestone slab like N. 662, 743 etc.

1^40,

(3'''^

dynasty).

Therefore

burial,

as well as 1^23

and

probably a later tomb intruded into the cemetery.

The

skeleton which had

been disturbed,

as

was to be expected from the removal of

part of the limestone covering, was contracted an the left side head south.

The head

alone

was missing.

The bones were

those of an adult female

(?).

VI.

THE EXCAVATION OF CEMETERY

work was begun on land
that
tips
i

N. 3000.

AFTER
i~x and

the excavation of cem. 1500,

PI.
i).

and

2 (see Frontispiece

The
its

similarity

of their position to
tip 2

of 1500 gave hopes of finding further early

dynastic cemeteries.*
(4""

Land

was found to contain

mud
until

brick mastabas of a later date

dyn.)i and

complete excavation was postponed

site

the following year.

Land

tip 2

was found to be the

vaults with entrances.

of an early cemetery containing stairway corbel vaults and corbel

surface of the greater part of the site was piled high with debris
kilns

The

from

modem
' Of.

limekilns,

and that of the southern part was much cut up by the

dyn. cemetery 3500 and the site of cem. loooo.

them-

the site of the 2

VII.

Cemetery N. 3000.
debris

^5
desert
surface

selves

(PI. 57

b,
-^i

61^).
;

Trenching

this

revealed a disturbed

over the

greater part of the site

but in the northeastern comer, some ancient surface was found with

superstructure walls
in the

(3017,

PL

57

d).

At

various points, the trenches

lay

came on

soft spots either surface.

ancient surface or in the hard stratum which

under the disturbed

The

excavation of these spots led to the uncovering of some intact corbel vaults and other sub^
structures.

This took place in April

May
as

1901

under the supervision of Mr.

F.

and myself.

The

intact vaults

were

left to

be worked out later; and Mr. Green in

W. Green my absence
a

at Der-el-Ballas

made notes on such tombs

were found open, clearing however only

intact gedei surface

few

of the more exposed tombs.

In the following winter, the whole of the limekiln debris was

first

stripped from the ancient surface or from the

where the old surface

had been destroyed

(PI. 57*).

The

rest

of the graves were then cleared and measured by

last

myself with some assistance from Mr. Mace. The

until

of the intact tombs was not finished

January 1904.

VII.

CEMETERY

N. 3000.
the other
strata

THE
from
2

first

land-tip south of the second ravine, the site of cemetery 3000,

is,

like

land-tips,

composed of

stratum of loose gravel about 70

cm

thick resting
strata at a

on

of

hard fine gravel and dark

soil.
in.

The

limestone basis

lies

below these

depth varying

is

meters, see
early

Map

The
tombs

cemetery contains only medium-sized and small tombs.

(301(5)

One
are

of the larger

7>/

wood-roofed tomb with end chambers

(3052, 3071J (type
3017, 3031)

(type

Aib); two
,

wood-roofed
large corbels

tombs with stairway

with stairway roofed (3on,
3053? 30^5^3)
(3013,

2 b,

but 3071 exceptional)

and three are

(type

2 b).

Of

the small tombs, three were apparently

wood-

3052, 3054) (type

Aia);

six

were

small corbels with entrance (3012, 3014, 3022, 3015,

(3001, 3024, 3051, 3002, 3055, 3023, 3021, 3072,
(3018,

(type

2 a)

eleven are quite indeterminate

3093, 3094, 3003); four are in

mud

or pottery boxes without any substructure

30^1, 3091, a

3025); and four are simply holes in the ground (3019, 3092, 3033, 3025).

N.
a

3150

was

deposit

of stone vessels removed from some tomb by plunderers.

structure; and 3093 appeared to

N.

3017

had

well preserved super-

show remains of

a superstructure.

Thus
are

while

all

the types of tombs found in cem. 1500 are represented, the greater

number

of the corbel-vault types, but, in general, of smaller and poorer construction than those
In the same way, the pottery, the stone vessels and the other objects found

in cem. 1500.
(see chapters

on pottery and stone

vessels, p. 89

ff.)

correspond with the contents of the northern

part

of cemetery

1500 rather than the earlier southern part.

as

Taken

altogether these

tombs

are

not so large nor so rich

those of the northern part of cem. 1500.

The

use of stone more3012, 3014,

of

over in strengthening the corbels and the use of the corbel roof for the doorway in
3022, etc.,

may be

further indications of the slightly later date.

It is

therefore probable that Dan

""

cem. jooo [with the possible exception 0/

the later

tombs of cem. ijoo

I.

{i. e.

joi6 and J062) was nearly contemporaneous with ijij, IJ72, i6oj, 1626) but extended downwards to a
9

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

f^L

VII.

Cemetery N. 3000.
ascribed with considerable certainly to the second
1500,

later limit than rjoo.

Thus N. 3000 may be

are

dynasty.

Those tombs which

contemporaneous with tombs of

1500.

would belong

to a less

wealthy family or set of families than those of

Otrrn^

Taking into consideration the positions of the tombs and

the earliest
3017,

their types,

N.

301^

is

perhaps

J^[f
til

tomb
3013

in the

cemetery while 30^2

is

also earlier

at

any rate than

3031.

The main

fmh corbels

and

3031,

with wood-roofed doorways, seem to be nearly contemporaneous

later.

while 3022 and 3014, with corbel-roofed doorways, seem to be slightly

But the pottery

of cem. 1500

and stone vessels found and

all

belong to one period

that

of the corbel found

vaults

differ characteristically

from the pottery and stone

500.

vessels

in the later stone-roofed

tombs of cem. 3500 and cem.

appears to be a matter

Therefore the chronological order of the different tombs

list

of indifference^ but nevertheless the following

which

gives the

opinion formed an the spot,

<>

may not be

entirely without value:

<3)

30itf

<^>

3017, 3013, 3015, 3o(J3, 3031, 3071

3021, 3001

3012, 3022, 3014, 3053

30^2

The tombs on

the southern slope are not contemporaneous with each other but distri-

buted over the whole period of the cemetery.

FtuHjfrimg

Of

these tombs, the substructures of 3012, 3014, and 3022 were found intact.
3016',

The

burials

in 3015, 3023,
3013, 3017,

3017, 3o5t,

3002, 3091, 3092

were nearly undisturbed.

The
3150.

interiors

of

3053,

3on, 3031,

3001 had certainly been entered anciently

by plunderers hunting treasure.

One of
3093 had
Demuiatun

the traces left by

them was the deposit of stone

vessels,

N.

The

contents of

3003, 3051, 3052, 3054, 3055

were crushed by the weight of

style

debris.

And

3021,

3024, 30^2, 3072,

been cleared out in the

the land-tip

of modern plunderers.
also suffered apparently

Thc cdgc of

on the south and west had

to the

from denu-

dation by the river.

3072 and 3001 was
kilns (cf.
Fntrth

The

surface about the entrance to 30^2, and about the

tombs between
building of the

worn away almost

substructures, previous

to

the

cem.

1500, p. 3).

In the fourth dynasty, three shaft tombs, whose superstructures

have been destroyed,

^'^

were made on the northern edge of the mound.

the south or west like the tombs

These

are square

shafts

with chambers on

on

land-tip 2 immediately to the south (also cem. 700,

Gizeh

Wady
Old

etc.).

They had
3

all

been completely plundered, and nothing but fragments of

mud

pots, see type xxix,

were found.

In the northern corner, partly cut away by

rectangular side-comer

modern

quarries

was

rectangular shaft with

II]

^^
Middle

chamber

(see

Mace, Early Dynastic Cemeteries

such

as

occur in

the

5"^

and

5"" dynasties.

This was completely plundered.

valley side

Running down from the

narrow sloping passage.
in

between the

4"^

dynasty shafts (see

Map

iii)

was
a

long

clmt

This led
a

after a turn to the

pit

south and again to the west to

chamber

the floor of

which was

shallow burial
a

(filled

with water).
as

In this burial pit was

found an uninscribed camelian scarab and

twelfth dynasty.
inscribed)

few beads such

corridor, a

are usually ascribed to the

clay cones (not

About the entrance to the

in the surface debris.

number of red baked

were found

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

^7

The lower
munal
access to this
situated

part of this corridor had

been enlarged,

in the Coptic period, to

make

com-

<-'<>pi'<:

burial place,

and

a stairway

had been

built in the old twelfth dynasty passage to give

Grave

chamber

(see PI. 69^).

This Coptic tomb belongs undoubtedly to cemetery 2000

(2)

on the opposite bank of the ravine

and may, therefore, be dated with that to about

this

the 6^ century A. D.

The
a

burials in the
its

chamber of

tomb had

suffered so

from moisture
floor

and from the destruction of

roof and north wall by

dirt,

modem

quarries that the

was

found covered with

heavy mass of mud, organic

(like

and bone powder in which were

found various Coptic beads and ornaments

tained

those of cem. 2000).

The cemetery who

3000 con-

no other Coptic

burials.

In

modern times

(in the last 20 years

according to Sheikh Nasr,

controls the stone Mojim

quarries in the district) eight or ten limekilns

were

built

on

this land-tip.

The

limestone iovanJA-Uns

these kilns was broken wherever the stone was easily accessible in the immediate neighborhood.

In land

tip 2, the

limestone appears to have been near the surface

level

and the whole outer end

PI. 2,

of the

tip has

been broken away nearly to the

2).
-,

of the cultivation (see

immediately

to the right of the figure

On

the eastern edge of 3000 the limestone rjses suddenly to

east

within 50
2

cm of

the surface

and to the

of

this,

great hole ca. 50 meters across

and

meters deep has been broken, apparently by working in from the southern bank of the

second ravine, see

Map

in.

The quarrymen
away the
side

also

worked along the

ravine towards the cultivation}

and, in so doing, they broke

side

of the sixth dynasty tomb, the roof and northern

shafts

of the Coptic communal grave, the upper part of two of the fourth dynasty

and

the northern side of the twelfth dynasty sloping passage.

structures of

The
i

kilns

were upright

cylindrical

mud

brick (see PI. $^^) sunk to a depth of

i^

meters below the old surface.

;

Some of

the bricks

may have been

taken from the ancient substructures

but others are clearly

built

modern, judging by the shape and hardness.

several times

These

lulns

were apparently

and rebuilt

moving from the southwest corner northwards

to avoid the accumulating debris j

and the great damage was done by the holes dug for

this purpose.^

The
is

lime burners do not

306^2,

seem to have paid much attention to the tombs

3093

(cf. 3015);

but

it

possible that

3021,

and the graves on the northern edge may have been cleaned out by them.

The

ashes,

the small limestone chips and the slag from the Idlns were
surface, see

dumped out over

first

the surrounding

PL

57*^.

And

so

we found

the

site

when we

attacked

it.

VIII.

DESCRIPTION OF TOMBS

IN

CEM.

3000.

1.

Single chamber, wood-roofed tombs, type A.

pit,

1.

a.

N. 3052.

T)ECT ANGULAR IV The end walls

'

lined

below with brickwork.

Axis points 32 east of south.

are built of header courses; the side walls,

of stretchers.

So the
35

side

walls are, including plaster

The same
thing

on

inside,

about 20

cm

thick; and the

end walls about

cm.

was found

to a lesser extent

on the southern edge of cem. 500.

68

Vin. Description of Tombs

in

Cem. 3000.

The roof was probably of wood

this part

',

but no traces were preserved.

The
left

surface was in

of the cemetery badly disturbed by limekilns.

remains of the skeleton show^ed distinctly
a

The
side,

contracted burial on

head south.

About the

burial

but mainly in the north end of the grave were the

following objects (noted by Green):

I.

z.

3.

5.

Jars

of red painted rough red or brown ware, type

v.

See
4. 6.

PI. 75>.

Dish of red painted, pebble polished brown ware type xxvi,

Diam. 24 cm.
hole

PI. 75'',
7.

Alabaster bowl,

broken in bottom and cracked,

PI. 72^.

Diam.
8.

18

h. 10

cm.
72"^.

Alabaster bowl, PI.

Diam.

h. 8

cm.
PI. 72*^.

9.
ID.

Alabaster cylindrical

jar,

with rope cord on neck,

Fragment of
dish, PI.

9.
72'^.

n. Slate

N.MS4.

Rectangular hole, lined below with brickwork to

east

height of 70 cm. Axis

40

of south.
walls

The
was
a

were i brick thick

(ca.

all

stretchers except the top course

inside.

which

header course

25

cm) and were plastered

The roof was

probably of wood.

The

skeleton was tightly contracted,

on

left:

side,

head south.
:

At the end near the head were (noted by Green)

1.

Jar of red painted

rough red ware, type

Diam.
10
:

v.

H.

ca. 35

cm.

132.

N. 3054,

so.

2.

Alabaster

jar,

PL

72''.

h. 15

cm.

N.MiL

Rectangular brick lined grave.

Axis 48 east of south.

i^ bricks at

The walls were high. The roof was

3012).
it

i brick thick below increasing to

the top and

were

ca.

70

cm

probably of wood.
(valley) side

A
at

few scattered broken bones were found.

The row

of pots along the west

and

the north end appear undisturbed

at

(cf. 3015, 3022, 3023,

As

it is

probable that these were in front of and

the feet of the burial,

side head south.

is

probable that the burial was contracted on the

left

The

objects found were (noted by Green):

1.

Pot of red painted brown ware, pebble polished, type

tained
fi-ag.

xxi=.

Con-

of human bones.
polished, type xxv.
v.
134.

2.
3.

Bowl of red painted brown ware, not

4. 8. 9. Jar

of red painted rough ware, type

5.

Omitted.
wood-roofed

N. 301

1,

:50.

'

In

general,
batter,

tombs which have

lost

their roofs,

are characterized by straight vertical walls

or straight walls with a

is

slight

outward

containing a large proportion

of stretcher courses and plastered on top of walls.

The chamber

square cornered
is

and

filled

with sandy or ordinary surface debris.

Corbel vaults are marked by concave inner surface or crushed walls.

The brickwork

composed almost

entirely of headers (especially in the smaller tombs).

The chambers

are often round cornered and

filled

with thick debris

containing a large proportion of Nile

mud (decayed mud-brick

of roof).

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

69
Decayed.

6.
8.

7.

Flat plates, red polished

brown ware, type

fine

xxvi.

9.

See

3.

10.

Alabaster cylindrical

jar,

with

cord around neck,

PI. 72^.

Broken: 10" was

mouth down.
11.

Under

these fragments
jar

were toe
'

(or finger?) bones.

Rough

calcareous alabaster

(like PI. 72

}i6i)

(type S

in).

Diam.

h. 14

cm.

12.
13.

Marble bowl with red and blue veins,

PI.

72^

Limestone bowl in fragments (type S xxvi).

Diam.

23

h. 7

cm.

2.
N. 3016.

Wood-roofed tombs with

mud

additional chambers, type

A.

1.

b.

Rectangular hole, containing

small

brick substructure,
51 east

with one main chamber and two

end chambers on south end.

Axis

of south.

The

outside

wall

was one brick thick j the cross walls which

were somewhat

irregular

were i brick

thick.

The

bricks

were appa-

rently of different sizes: in the thin cross wall

between the two end

chambers, the bricks appeared to be

walls they appeared to be, as usual,

23x11^x5 cm, but in the other about 30x15x7^- All walls were
main chamber

plastered inside: the floor was also plastered.

limeldln had been built over the east side of the

descending to within 20

cm

of the pottery.

Another limekiln touched

iii.

the west wall of the main chamber, see

to have led to any

Map

But neither appears

modern

plundering.

The

skeleton was contracted

on the

left side,

head south ; but was

135.

N. 3016,

50.

too rotten to be cleared.

No

trace

of mat, cloth or box was preserved.

The end chambers and

caused by the
1.

the main chamber in front of and at the feet of the skeleton,

vessels.

were crowded with pottery and stone

fall

The

disturbance

is

such

as

may have been

of the roof.

The
jar,

contents were noted by Green.

PI. 70
".

Alabaster cylindrical

Diam. mouth
including

13

cm

h.

24 cm.

2.

A
a.

group of broken alabaster

Alabaster cylindrical Alabaster cylindrical
Alabaster bulging
jar,
jar,

jars,

PI. PI.

70 \ 70 \

Diam.
Diam.

19

h. ^6.

b.
c.
3.

jar,

h. 20,
13!
:

PI. 70^,
jar,

top row.

Greatest diam.

h. 14^

cm.
verti-

Tall alabaster cylindrical

cally in

with cord in relief on neck,

inside the other.
PI. 70^.

PI. 70".

Broken

two

pieces, lying
jar
jar,

one

4.
5.

Alabaster cylindrical
Alabaster cylindrical

with cord on neck,

PI.

70 ^
(PI. 70*)

6.

9.

mass of broken alabaster on the top of which were 6^

and

7.

The
5a.

rest were joined up into the four alabaster pieces

plate,

numbered 6 on

PI. 70".

Limestone, thick

broken.
black.

Base appears to have been

PI. 70*.

mended by some

cement which has turned

7.

Slate

bowl, broken,

PI. 70*.

JQ
8.

VIU. Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

9.

See

6.
jar,

10.
11.

Alabaster cylindrical

PL

70*.

Alabaster bulging

jar,

PI. 70'.
jar,

12.
13.

Alabaster cylindrical

PI. 70*.

Fragments of

10

11.

14.
15.

Limestone cup with spout,

Slate

PI. 70".

Diam. 8

cm

h. 5,2

cm.

bowl

in fragments, PI. 70'.

16.

Rough

slate

fragment, showing signs

paint

of having been rubbed, see no.

25.

No
may

sign of green

but

slate

was incrusted with

slate

mud

so that the paint

have been washed off after the

17.

was put in the grave.

Fragments of other adjacent numbers.

Alabaster dish, broken,

18.

PL
13

70".

Under
6

it

were fragments of charcoal and nos.

in
;

19, 21.

19.

Copper
tapers

chisel,

about

cm

long,

section

middle

mm x 6 mm.

One end

to

cutting edge about

ca. 5

mm

long

the other tapers only slightly to

square end,
20. Slate plate

mm x 5 mm.
Diam. 30 cm.
12

with low ring stand on bottom, broken, PL 70" (photographed upside

ring).

down
2L

to

show

Copper

chisel,

about

cm

long, section in middle 8

mm x 8
a

mm.

One end
'

is

flattened to a cutting edge^ the other tapers slightly to

22.
23.

square end.
73

Bowl, red painted brown ware, pebble polished all over, type xxiv ^, PL Bowl, of red painted, pebble polished, brown ware, type
plate
xxiv''.

no.

13.

24. Flat

of red painted,

brown ware, pebble

polished

on

face,

type xxvi,

PL
25.

73''

no. 4.

Rough
Small
29.

square rubbing stone, see no.

\6.

26.
27.

Bowl, of red painted, pebble polished brown ware, type

jar

xxiv'',
i.

PL

73''

no.

12.

of rough red ware, type v

flat

base,

PL

73^ no.

28.

These numbers were reserved

for

pieces

lying

underneath in the

main

chamber and were never used.

30. Flat

plate

of red painted brown ware,

pebble

polished on

face,
31.

type

xxvi.

Contained small bones (kid?): other bones were scattered under

31.

Jar of red painted rough red ware, type v ^,

PL

73 ^

no.
in
^.

3.

H.

34.

See
:

30.

32.
33.

Large

jar

of smooth red painted brown ware, type of red painted brown ware,
dull

Diam.

25

h.

45 cm.
73''

Deep
under

plate

polish,

type xxvi, PL

no.

2.

Covered with black specks (due to weathering).

32

Diam. 30

cm

h. 10

cm.

Was

and contained some bones of small offering animal

v=.

(kid?).

34.
35.

Like

31,

type

Pot of red painted brown ware,

like 33.

dull polish,

type xxi^ PL

73''

no.

6.

Black specks

Diam.

ca. 25, h. 30

cm.

Contained fragments of bones and bones of leg

and spinal column of

35.
39.

kid(?).

38.

Like
flat

31,

type

v^.

For

38 see

PL

73

*"

no.

7.

Four

plates,

type xxvi.

VIII.

Description of tombs

in

cem, 3000.

7J

3.
N. 3062.

Wood-roofed tombs with

down

stair,

type A.

2. b.

A
work.

rectangular hole cut in alluvial strata

to solid limestone, and lined with brick-

See

PI.

66 and

fig. 141.

Axis 58 east of south.

^ brick thick to
a

45
I

The lower part of the walls is cm (i. e. ca. 6 courses). Above

three
stretcher

height of about

they are
courses.

brick thick with about

header course to

The

corners are

very
'35Fig. 141, section

imperfectly and irregularly bonded.

The
it.

southern wall has bulged in

A B,

ICX5.

owing to the weight of

gravel behind

There were no

traces

of end

chambers but the condition of the walls did not permit

a definite conclusion.

The roof was probably of wood. The main chamber was entered by
but mostly destroyed before found by

a us.

stairway built of bricks

on gebel

The tomb was

into.

completely plundered.

Even the mud

floor

was broken
136.
Fig. 141,

In the dirt one complete pottery cone was found and several broken
as

section

ones such
in
N. 3071.

-were found near the 12* dyn. tomb on the northern edge and
at

D,

100.

many

other 12* dynasty tombs

is

Sheikh Farag and in cemeteries 3500 and

construction owing to the fact that
it

100.
is is

This tomb
in the

quite irregular

in

built

partly

stairway of 3031 and appears to be subsidiary to that tomb.

3031
is

The

axis

43 east of

south (while that of

See
PI. 57'''<=

58

and

306^2

is

58

east

of south).

and

fig. 141.

The
(i.

walls

of

3071

are

bonded with the stairway of

3031.

The
was

walls are ^ brick thick but

e.
I

surmounted by one course of headers

of the
stair

brick thick).

The

incline

leading

to

3031

filled

with rubbish and plastered level with the floor of the north
3071 (see fig. 142).

end of

The doorway was

see PI. 67^.
It is

blocked with brickwork

like that

of

3031.

It

was roofed with branches of wood which were found in position,

137.

N. 3071.

Plan,

:S0.

probable judging from the logs over the door and the straightness of the walls that

the roof of the chamber was also of wood.

The
wood, see

skeleton was contracted

PI. 67'^.

on the

left side

head south, without trace of cloth, mat or

In front of the burial were the following objects

I.

(fig. 137)

2.

3,

Jars

of rough red ware, type

v<=.

4.
5.

Alabaster dish, shallow, broken, PI.

Alabaster cylindrical
Alabaster cylindrical
jar.
jar,

72^.

6.
7.
8.

broken, upper part in

Pi.
72*^.

PI. 72^.

Limestone bowl, broken.

Flat pan, red polished

brown ware, type

xxvi.
xxi*.

9.

Pot of smooth red painted red ware, type

Diam.

25

h. 12^

cm.

72
4.

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in cem.

3000.

Corbel vaults with stairway, type B.

2. b.
a

n.n.

Rectangular hole cut in the gravel to the solid limestone, containing

three chambers and a stairway.

corbel vault with

Axis 56 east of south.

See

PI. 58, 59, 69^' ^

and

fig. 138

and

139.

The
I

walls

of the corbel were apparendy

brick thick below and thickened to a heavy

at
a

make-weight
weighted by
in,

about

up.

This was further

laid

packing of limestone chips,

pari passu with the courses of the

the whole space
filled

vault.

And

between the

vault

and

the surface was

(see PI. 59).

with such limestone chips

rectangular.

The lower part of the vault was In the SE comer, a slab of limewhich was rounded (not groined).

stone was laid across to support the corbel above

(see PI.
59**)

The
thick,

cross -walls

must have been 4 brick

but only traces of them were found.

138.

The doorway was roofed with branches of wood (or saplings), and blocked with brick work.

N. 3017.

Plan,

lOO.

slab

of limestone formed the inside

ioperstructure
old

surface

of the threshold next to the chamber.

The approach was a slanting incline plastered with mud and lined on the sides with i brick walls. The incline
was occupied by
a

fisrd

gebel

limekiln (PI.

59"^)
iirm^tane

and had been damaged in the building

of the
kiln.
139.

N. 3017.

Section

A B,

lOO.

At
and
fig.

the northeast corner, the retaining wall

138

of the superstructure was preserved

bit

(PI. 57''

marked ^^^.)

There was another

of

it

preserved on the front.

valley side

The

north

end and the desert

give any evidence.

side did not

have niches: the

built

bit

on the

was not
sides.

sufficient to

This retaining wall was

at

on the
that

filling

on both

Behind the
outside of

north end of the desert side

an interval of 45

cm was an

inclosing wall.

The

the retaining wall, the floor of the space

between

and the enclosing wall and both sides

of the enclosing wall were plastered with mud.

On

the floor of the main

chamber were found some scattered fragments of bones.

vessels

The
tomb

most of the pottery and stone

was compact and undisturbed.

were

in the

northwest corner, see

PI. 5^.

If the

had been disturbed by plunderers the disturbance was ancient; for the debris over the vault

The

vault

had collapsed, crushing the cross-walls and of

course, breaking and scattering the contents of the chambers.

The
I

objects found

on

the floor of the

tomb

(see PI. 6^^>^) were:

v**

19.

Jars of red painted

base, PI. 74''.

rough brown or red ware, type

mostly with

flat tip at

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

73

20.
21.

Alabaster cylindrical

jar,
jar,

PL

71

Diam.

16. h. 25
23
:

cm.
cm.
25
:

Alabaster cylindrical

PI. 71 ^

Diam.

h. 32I

22.
23.

Bowl of red and white

Alabaster bowl, PI.
71 ^

brecchia, PI.

71^.

Diam.

h. 14

cm.

Diam.

32

cm.

24.
25.

Alabaster pan,
Alabaster plate,

PI. 71

Diam. 34 cm.

PI. 71".

Diam. 26 cm.
Diam.
PI.
71''.

26.
27. 28.

Limestone bowl,

PI. 71^.
jar,

27

h. 12

cm.
16
:

Alabaster cylindrical
58.

Diam.
:

h. 22^

cm.

Alabaster bowl, PI.

71^.

Diam. 20

h. 12

cm.

29.

Alabaster cylindrical
15
:

jar,

badly corroded by water, without cord.

Diam. mouth

h. 18

cm.
jar,

30.
31.

Alabaster cylindrical
Slate plate, PI.
71''.

PI.

71^
:

Diam,
3

14

h. 32

cm.

Diam.

32

h.

cm.
:

32.
33.

Alabaster bowl, PI. 71^

Diam. 24

h. 14
:

cm. cm. Diam.

13 13
:

Limestone bowl,

PI. 71 .

Diam. 29

h. 15
71''.

34.
35.
3(5,

Volcanic ash bowl, rim chipped,

Alabaster cup-bowl, PI.
71 ^

PI.
18

h.

4 cm.

Diam.

h.

cm.

Fragments of

33,

37.

Limestone bowl,
Alabaster bulging

PI. ji\
jar,

Diam.
71''.

18.

38.

PI.

Diam. top 6^, bottom

stain, PI, 71 ^

h. 10

cm.

39.

Rectangular pebble, with reddish

Length
71''.

cm,
:

40. Calcareous alabaster cup with recurved rim, PI.

41.
a.

Diam. top 4I
ji^.

h. 8,2
:

cm.
:

Yellow limestone cup with spout, decayed,

spout
i^.

PI.

Diam. lo^

h.

L. of

b.
c.

Alabaster saucer, PI.

71

Diam.

10 1.

Green

glazed bead, barrel shaped.

35.
33.

Was under Was under a

a.

and

b.

42.
43.

Fragments of Fragments of
near
18

These were found above the main mass and

Diam.
type

laid in the

corner

by the workmen.

44. Limestone
45.

bowl with rim

in fragments.

ca. 23.

Bowl of red painted red ware, pebble

polish,

xxiv'',

PL

74''.

Diam.

18

h. 7

cm.

46. Plate of red pol.

47. Alabaster

brown ware, type

71^.

xxvi,
:

PL 74^
11

Diam.

28

h.

4 cm.

bowl, PL

Diam.

ca, 27

h, ca,

cm,
-.h.

48. Plate

of red

pol. ware,

type xxvi.

Diam. 20
:

6 cm.
PL

49.
50.

Limestone

dish,

PL

71^.

Diam.

28

h.

d cm,
xxi**,
74*^.

Pot of smooth red painted red ware, broken, type

Contained

frag-

ments of offering bones.

51.

Like 48, type xxvi.

Like 45, type
xxiv**.
v''.

52.
53.

Like

19,

type

54.

Volcanic ash bowl, PL

I.

71b.

Diam. 24

h. 14

cm.

Underneath were

few
lO

coals.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

74
55,

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

Alabaster cylindrical

jar, jar,

PI.

71''.

Diam.

18

h. 32

cm.

$6.

Alabaster cylindrical

PI.

yi*".

Underneath

$$

$6

were

coals and a

few finger

bones.
57.

Fragments of
Part of
28.

ss

5^ with
PI. 71^.
71''.

charcoal and fragments of bones.

58.

59.
(Jo.

Fragments of vessels in the main mass.

Limestone bowl,
Alabaster bowl,

61.

PI. PI.

Diam.
Diam.

14
23
31
:

-.h.

6 cm.
cm.

62. Alabaster
(J3.

bowl,

yi\

h. 10

Alabaster plate,

PI. 71".

Diam.

cm.
thin,
PI.

64. Alabaster (rim)

and pink limestone (body) bowl, very

a

7I^

Cut from

stone where an alabaster stratum overlay

55.

pink limestone (or marble?) stratum.

Limestone

dish,

PL

71 ^

Diam.

28.

In the debris in the south end were found

fine-grained red ware, PI. 74''
M. 3913.

two

small cups and a bulging jar of

smoothed

marked

x.

Corbel with
See

stair, similar

to 3017, but smaller.

fig.

Axis about 57 east

of south.

PI, 60^'

\ 69

<=

and

140.

The brickwork was crushed

the vault was
filled

to

mud,

PI.

59

f.

The

space above

with limestone chips the lower layer of which

brickwork,

had mixed to

certain extent with the

PL

59*^.

The

northern end of the vault had been broken into (or given way) and
the
filling

had come

down into

the chamber, see fragments

of limestone clinging to brickwork on PL 60 ^

appears to have been

There

two chambers

at

the north end.

The doorway was on

the valley side at the south

end of the main chamber, roofed with branches, blocked

with brickwork and approached by
a

rough stairway

cut in the gebe/ and plastered with mud.

The

stair140.

N. 8013.

Plan,

So.

way was
it

filled

with limestone chips and mud.

a

Along the south end on the old surface was

appeared to belong to the outer enclosure of

fragment of
see

superstructure wall but

3017,

The

skeleton was

on

the left side head towards the

shifted

Map in. SE but

it

had been disturbed (the

head was gone) and

may have been

from

its

original position.

The

condition of the

skeleton and the position of the other contents indicate ancient plundering.

On

the floor were the following objects (see

1.

PL 69" and 60^^):

Two

fragments of
72''.

volcanic ash

bowl, broken and mended with cement in

antiquity, Pi.
2.
3.

Volcanic ash bowl, PL 72 ^

Diam.

15^

h.

9^ cm.

Bowl of red painted red ware, type

Stand

xxiv, without polish.

Diam.
h.

15

h. 7

cm.

4. Plate
5.

of red polished brown ware, type xxvi.

(?)

Diam.
11
:

19^

6 cm.

of rough brown ware, type xx.

Diam.

h. 8

cm.

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

75

6.
7. 8.

Like

4,

type xxvi.

Diam. z6:h. 6 cm.

jar,

Alabaster bulging
Jar of red painted

PI.

yiK

Diam. top

7,

middle
v.

13,

base 8

h. 8

cm.

rough brown ware, type

dirt

H.

31

cm.

9. 10.
11.

Like

8,

type

v.

Contained

and finger bones.

:

Alabaster bowl, PI. 72 ^

Diam. 20
dirt

h. 8

cm.

Like

8,

type

v.

Contained

and finger bones.

ware, type xv, see
PI. 69"^.

12.
13.

Bottle of dark stained rough

Jar like 8,

brown
2

H.

17^

cm.

type

v,

broken.
i

14.

Beads: camelian,

long cyhndrical,

short barrel-shaped,

shell-shaped; amethyst,
i

15.

short barrel shaped; blue glaze,

II

long barrel-shaped, 4 small spherical,

disc;

total

beads.
jar,

Black stone

small,

with cord-net pattern in

relief,

PI. 41'=

numbered

30.

N. 3031.

In
vault

rectangular hole sunk through the alluvial strata into the limestone, was a corbel

with stairway.
67
^'
=

Axis 58 east of south.

fig. 141

See

PI. 66,

and

144.
as usual

The

brickwork was crushed

but

at

one spot on the west

be traced, see
fig.

side the bricks could

still

143.

The
(i.

first

three courses

were

single stretchers

e.

wall i brick thick)

The next

three

were
(i.

two headers and one

i

double stretcher

e.

wall

brick thick)

at

the

top of the sixth course the corbel began, built

entirely

of headers.

The

space between the makefilled

weight and the gebel was

debris.

with limestone
nodule of hard
built.
141.

At the SE corner was

limestone over which the wall was

There were
the

traces

of only one chamber in

N. 3031, 3071, 3062.

Plan,

100.

NE

corner; and here was only a firagment

east wall

of the cross wall attached to the

filled

of the corbel,

But the space thus indicated was

with stone

vessels, see

fig. 144.

corner of the corbel, approached by a The doorway was in the (PI. 66). The whole situation indicates that the entrance was built thus to tomb }o62. The doorway was blocked with brickwork; and must have been roofed with wood but no trace of the wood was preserved. The incline was lined on the sides with i- brick walls. The

NW

slanting

incline

avoid the

older

north well was diverted so

(N.

as to

form
with

a rectangle a floor

3071) projecting to the north,

ot

limestone

about

1,20

m
of

above the floor of

3031.

The

incline

was

filled

with limestone debris and

this
floor.

plaster to the level

The end of

the stairway was roofed with

wood

to

form

j^

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

new doon^ay and blocked

with

brick work.
p. 71.

In

the compartment thus

formed was the

contracted burial N. 3071 described above,

In the chamber were the following objects,

in

embedded
no
cord,

mud

from the roof (noted by Green)

I,

Alabaster cylindrical
PI.

jar,

thick walls,

70 ''.

Diam.

18

h. 18

cm.

T^
cord,
PI. 70''.
,^3

2.

Alabaster cylindrical

jar,

no

w^^

^
144.

^^
n. 3031.

Diam. 9
2 a.

h. 22i

cm.
a small

^
'

3^^,

/^C^^^ U
Position o. objeets 1:50.

Yellow limestone, the upper part of

jar

Section of corbel,
=

which was made

in

two

parts,

PI. 70".

5o.

Pink cement adheres to the lower edge.

alabaster cup no.
3.

The lower
cm.

part

may have been

the

7.

Diam.
PI.

cm.
Diam.
7
:

Alabaster bulging

jar,

70

'.

h. 12
a

4.

Alabaster bowl, PI.

70''.

The bottom was

filled

separate piece, a disc with beveled

edge

set in

from below and cemented with pink cement.

This disc had on the

bottom
in:

side six small holes (pits) side

with small pieces of alabaster cemented

ca. 3

on the other
fillings.

were

five

wider (diam.

mm)

and shallower

pits

with-

out
5.

Slate plate, PI. 70'',

numbered

12=

by

mistake.

Diam.

ca. 15.

6.

Beads j

PI. 73=. 2
:

The

small dark disc beads are bright red carnelian,

(5 dull

found mostly
(i

under no.

the cylindrical beads are steatite

beads) and carnelian

polished
is

bead) found scattered

carnelian,

among
15:

the stone vessels: the bright barrel-shaped bead the others are glazed beads, found scattered.

found near no.

The

irregular bits in the middle are

decayed copper beads

(?)

found scattered among

see no.
13''.

the stone vessels.

7.

The

large amulet
jar,

was found

in no.

13,

Alabaster, lower part of a small

part PI. 70
'.

similar to that

of which 2^ was the upper

similar to
3.

Diam. 7

h. 7^

cm.
Diam.

The whole was

12
:

8.

Volcanic ash cup,

PI. 70

K
jar,

h.

9 cm.

9.
10.

Volcanic ash cylindrical

PI. 70''.

Cylindrical jar of dull polished black ware, PI. 70

Diam.

9^ cm.

n.
12.

Alabaster bulging Alabaster bulging

jar, jar,

PI. 70''.

Diam.

12

h. 12

cm.
70^.

decomposed by water, PL
PI. 70'',

Diam.

12.

12a.

Volcanic ash saucer,

numbered

13

by mistake.

Diam.

14

h. ^\

cm.

This

was under
13.

12.

Alabaster saucer, PI.

70**,

not

13

but just below

the right.
set

i.

Diam. 10^

h.

cm.
pits

13a.

Limestone amulet,

PI. 73 S

on

The
in

eyes are

two bored out

conis

taining each a small

limestone ring

with cement.

The rounded

back
13.

pierced by
14.
15.

hole (for the string) just behind the eyes.

jar,

This was in no.

Alabaster bulging

PL
jar,

70''.

Diam.

12

h.

9 cm.

Alabaster cylindrical

with cord, PL

70''.

Diam.

10

h. 27

cm.
3.

\6.

Alabaster cylindrical

jar,

no

cord,

PL

70'',

to the right of no.

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

77
3.

17.

Alabaster bulging
Alabaster bowl,

jar,

PI. 70''}

between no.

and no.
15.

18.

PI. 70'',

to the right of no.

left

1929. These numbers were

never used.

for pieces

which might be under

18

and were

On

the floor of the main chamber were found:

30.
31.

Alabaster bowl, broken, PI. Alabaster bowl, broken,

Plate of red polished

70''.

PI. 70''.

32.
33.

brown ware, type

xxvi.
xxiv''.

Diam.

32

cm,

Bowl of red

polished

brown ware, type

5.

Small corbel with entrance, type B.

entrance on the south.

2. a.

N. 3012.

A
See
PI.

small corbel with

Axis 43 east of south.

An
upw
hoif

intact tomb.

60 "-^ and
is

fig.

145, 145.
ouflme of

This corbel
space inclosed

rather peculiar in having a small

walls in front

by

of the entrance.

ouH'.nc oF vduI^

The two

sides

and the north end are corbelled.

The
PiMd

make-weight on the north end was made of bricks

and stones roughly
(south)
wall
is

laid in

mud

(PI. 61^).

The
thick.

front

straight wall i brick

The

walls inside are plastered: also the front and the inside

of the walls in front of the entrance.

The doorway
It

is

roofed with

a corbel (PI. 60"^).

145.

N. 3012.

Plan,

50.

was blocked with bricks when founds so the tomb

intact.

was

The
neath,

skeleton was contracted

on the

left side

head

to the local east (PI. 60^).

The

left loiee,

being under-

was drawn up nearer the chin than the right

knee.

The body was

traces

probably wrapped in cloth of

which

were found.

About
(PI. 60^),

the body, mainly in the front of the

objects:

tomb
146.

were the following

I.

N. 3012.

Section

A B,

1:50.

2.

6.

Jar

of red painted rough ware, type

with
h. 5

v.

Contained scraps of dried mud.

spout had been attached),
PI. 72''.

3.

Slate bowl,

hole cut in the rim

(as if a

Diam.
4.
5.

17^

cm.
jar,

Alabaster cylindrical

no

cord, PI.

72''.

H.

13^

cm.
14
:

Bulging
See
I.

jar

of red polished ware, type

xm\

Diam.

12

cm.

6. N. 3022.

small corbel with

two

small chambers

on the north end and with an entrance on the

See
PI. 57*^, 6\

south end.

Axis 50 east of south.

Intact tomb.

63

and

fig. 147, 148.

78

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

The
Avith the

crosswalls

forming the end chambers are not bonded

main

wall.

They

are i brick thick.

The

corbel does not

rest in

any way on these crosswalls.

the
are

The main chamber is built in a hole cut to limestone in The w alls on the north end and the two sides alluvial strata.
corbelled.

But the south end was

a

left

open to form the doorway

and covered by

corbel,

the
cm)

continuation of the corbelled roof

147.

of the main chamber.

N. 3022.

Plan,

50.

The

walls

begin below with one course of

stretchers, i brick
i

thick (brick ca. 24

x 12 x
is

<J

then come 5 courses of alternate headers and stretchers

brick

wide: and above that the wall thickens to form the makeweight of the corbel.
side
built

The west
is

of the corbel

built

of headers j the

east

side,

having a

less

degree 0/ curvature,

of alternate headers and stretchers on the face with headers

behind in the makeweight.

The

north end

is

built

of headers which

interlace irregularly with the headers

of the

sides, see PI. 62^.

The
on
148.

comers of the
a level

vault inside are groined.

The

west wall

is

based

about 2

cm
and

higher than the east wall.

N. 3022.
Section
all

The
plastered.

A B,

50.

top

inside

surfeces

of the vault
vault
a

were

heavily
filled

The

interstices

between the

and the gebel were

with mud.

The doorway was

roofed with a corbel,

continuation of the corbel of the main chamber.

a

Or in other words, The doorway was

Against

the vault was left

open on the south end to form

wall
i

doorway

(see PI.

63'').

blocked with a

mud- brick

brick

thick

heavily

plastered

outside.

this block, outside,

was piled mud-brick

(PI. 6z^)

and limestone
gebel.

slabs (PI. 6\^<^).

The
as in

door was approached by

a steep

grooved incline cut in the

The
PI. 63".

grave was found intact, PI. 6i^-^.

When

opened the

interior

was seen to be

The

floor

was covered to

depth of 20

cm

with debris from the roof resting on

the tops of pots 4,
skeleton with

The only objects visible were 6 and 7. After clearing away this debris, we found underneath it the pieces of alabaster (8, 9) in the outlines of a wooden coffin, and the
the pottery,
rot of the coffin, etc.
coffin

wood

two

space between the

and the west wall

filled

with pottery, one limestone bowl and bones of offerings.

The end chambers were quite empty. The skeleton was contracted on the
the knees
(i.

left side

head south,
legs).

PI. 63''""^,

with the arms about

e.

left

arm under and

right

arm over both

The

skeleton was that of an

old female

(?)

with only two teeth in the upper jaw,

sockets.

six in the

lower, the jaw bones showing

no other tooth
to be nearly

could not be moved.

3

The bones although in better The coffin was of wood with

tomb were
as

condition than usual in this cemetery

yellow

plaster.

The

boards appeared

cm

thick.

The

objects found in the

1.

follows:
vertical lines inside,
PI.
']$".

Bowl of red polished brown ware,

Plate

type xxiv,

PI. 75=.

2.

of red polished brown ware, type xxvi,

PI. <53'<',

Contained bones of offering

animal (kid?),

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

79

3.

Limestone bowl,

PI. 72*, a bit

of rim missing.
PI. 75''.

4. Jar
5.

of red painted rough ware, type v %

red polished

Cup -bowl of

brown ware; type

xxiv=,

with both horizontal and

vertical lines, PI. 75=.

6.
7.

Jar of red painted Jar of

rough ware, type v%

iv,

PI.

75"^.

smooth drab ware, type

jar, jar,

PL

75"=. 72*^.

8.

Alabaster bulging

broken and decomposed, PL

9.
10.

Alabaster bulging
Plate

somewhat decomposed, PL

72^.

of red polished brown ware, type xxvi,

PL

75"=.

Contained

bones

of

offering animal (lud?).

Outside the tomb dumped

N. 3014.

down
small

near the stones in front was a basket, Diam. 40, H. i6 cm.

small corbel with

two

chambers on the north end and with entrance on the

Intact tomb.

south end.

Axis

53

east

of south.

See PL 54, 6$ and

fig.

149

151.

The

cross walls forming the

end chambers

are not

bonded with

the main walls nor with each other but

simply held in place by

is

mud
the

plaster.

The

wall parallel to the north wall

is

| brick thick;
edge).

small

dividing wall

\ brick thick

(i.

e.

brick

on

The

corbel vault does not rest

on

these cross walls.

The main chamber

limestone rock; and
end, see
fig. 151.
is

rests in a hole cut in the alluvial strata to the

corbelled

on the two

sides
3

and on the north

courses and then,

The
the
is

walls are \ brick thick for

i

where the

vault begins,

brick thick.

Above

the

5"^

course the wall

thickens to form
east

makeweight of the corbel.

of the door,

thickened also but

The south wall, not corbelled. Owing to the

slope of the limestone surface, the courses of the west wall are not

on
at

level
line

with those of the east wall; and therefore the brickwork

the

where the two

6$^).

sides
is

of the vault meet,

is

irregular
149.

(PL

64''' ^

and

The

corbel

built

of headers on

all

three sides.
N. 3014.
Plan,
I
:

50.

The headers of the north end running

of the two
sides are

at right angles

with the headers

bonded with them

rather irregularly,

PL

65^.

The

corners of the vault

inside are groined.

The
gebel are

top of the vault

filled

is

heavily plastered.

The

interstices

between the vault and the

with stones and mud.

roofed with
a

The doorway was

and blocked with
plastered outside.

corbel

a wall li brick

thick heavily

The doorway was

with
the the

approached
slightly

by

sloping

incline
in

floor

rounded,
plastered.

cut

hard gebel

and heavily

The
it

grave was found intact, PL 6^^.

After
150.

was exposed, the southwest corner crumbled

n. 3014.

section

a b,

1:50.

80
oif.

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

The
12

interior

was seen to be
of crumbled

as

in PI. 64'.
plaster
left

The

floor

was covered to
fallen

depth of
roof.

cm The

with

a layer

mud
on the

and bricks which had

head northwest
floor

fi-om the

skeleton was contracted

side

(local north)

with the hands between the knees.

rot, sufficient to

The

underneath
a coffin.
is

showed wood

determine that there had been

The

position of the bones of the right hand and of the left foot,

typical

of

body which

has decayed in a

wooden box with hand

and foot turned up resting against the

traces

side.

On

151.

the

bones were

N. 3014.

Section

C D,

50.

of

cloth.

The body had

therefore been contained in a small

wooden

bctx

and covered,

or loosely wrapped, in cloth.'

The main chamber

3

contained only the

burial,

except that near the

skull there

were

or

fragments of charcoal.
In the end-chambers, were:
1.

Jar

of rough ware, type

v, PI.

74^ lower left corner,

numbered by mistake

306^1.

2.
3.

Plate

of red polished brown ware, type xxvi.

iv.

PI. 74^.

Jar

of smooth red ware, type

PI. 74".

N. 3*53.

single-chamber corbel with an entrance

on

the north.
154.

Axis 44

east

of south.

See

PI.

6y

''

and

fig. 152

to

The 38 cm

hole was cut through the alluvial strata and from o

into the
solid limestone,
fig.

154.

The

corbel was

roughly built of mud-brick and limestone chips.

the

Owing

to

moisture and pressure the

vault,

bricks

had melted and the

itself.

whole

had evidently sunk

down on

We

found
c

the brickwork almost a solid mass of mud.

The bones and

block was gone

pottery in the south end lay nearly undisturbed underneath

a layer

of debris from the roof.

The door

and the objects in the north end seemed considerably disturbed.

So

it

is

clear that the

tomb had been plundered

roofed

anciently.

The doorway was

with

corbel

see

PI.

6y^.
152-

The approach was a plastered incline. The skeleton was contracted on the right side, head to The body was in a wooden box with boards 2 cm thick The jars 8 10 may have been in the ends. coffin originally. The objects 5 7 seem to owe

N. 3053.

Plan,

:S0.

the north. the sides of

The

skull

was missing.

which overlapped the

their position to

some disturbance of the tomb.

points

Scattered

at

various

were

bones of

small offering animal (kid?).

The

objects in the
I.

tomb were:
cm.

Plate

of red polished soft red-brown

:

ware, type XXVI. Diam. 24 h.

'

(J

153-

n. 3053.

section

a- b,

1:50.

Loose wrapping were found on

burials of the

4''>

6'1>

dynasties in cem. 700,

100 and 3500-

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

81
polished, with ring

2.

Bowl of red painted

in fragments.

soft

red-brown ware, type xxiv^, not

cm.

depression like that of stone bowls in bottom inside,

Diam.
(?).

23 i :h. 14

Near

it,

shoulder

blade of kid
3.

Slate bowl,

with curved rim and with ring depression

inside, PI. 72
4,
'.

in

bottom
3

Diam. 30
(?),
:

h.

6^ cm.
legs, ribs.
154.

Near

and

bones of kid

backbone,

4. 7. Alabaster cup.
5.

Alabaster plate,

Diam. 14I h. 11 cm. broken but complete.

N. 3053-

Section

C D,

50.

Pi. 72'.

Diam. 24^
PI. 72^.

h.

4 cm.
:

6.
7.

Alabaster bowl, without rim or ring depression,

Diam. 20

h. 10

cm.

See

4.
jar
jar,

8.

Alabaster cylindrical
Alabaster cylindrical
base,

without cord, without cord,

PI. 72^.
PI. 72=.

Diam.

18

h. 16

cm.
side,

9.

Small break

on

next to the
it

mended

anciently

by inserting
:

small piece of alabaster and fastening

with cement.
10.
11.

Diam.

12
jar,

h. 20

cm.
PI. 72 .

Alabaster cylindrical
14.
13.

without cord,

Diam.

18

h.
:

24 cm.

15.

Jar of red painted rough ware, type v=.

Diam. 20
18
:

h, 33

cm.

12.

Jar of red painted

rough ware, typev^.

Diam.

h. 33!

cm.

14.

15.

See

II.

In the

debris of the

mouth of

the vault was

found

jar

of type

iv,

see PI. 75=

and

fragments of red polished ware.

N. 3015.

small single -chamber corbel vault with an entrance

on the west

side.

Axis 44 east

of south.

See

PI. 6-/

^' ^

and

Fig. 155, 15^.

The brickwork was

crushed and uncertain^ but the wall was

only i brick thick below.

Above,

it

thickened to
ca.

brick thick

but was preserved to a height of only

70 cm.

The

corners
'^>'7(

were rounded above

the

(like 3023).

Limestone chips were

built into

brickwork especially

at

the south end.

On
visible,

the west side, the southern side of a

doorway was

plainly

see PI. 67^;

but the northern side was indistinguishable in

the melted mass of brickwork of the doorblock and the vault. the west side of the hole at a height of about 100
layer of plaster

On

'S5-

n. 3015.

pian,

1:50.

cm

above the floor of the vault was

on

debris as if the entrance had

been sealed

again at this level with plaster.

The
The

skeleton was contracted

little

on the

left side,

head north.
there was

pots in front seemed

disturbed.

In

fact,

no disturbance anywhere which could not be explained by

the collapse of the roof

The

objects with the skeleton were:

1,

Alabaster cylindrical

jar,

rim broken, no cord,

156.

PL

72<=.

Diam.
I.

14

h. 23

cm.

n. 3015.

section

a-b,
'

1:50.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

82
2.
3.

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

Alabaster cylindrical
4.

jar,

rim broken, no cord,

PI. 72=.

Diam.
:

17

h. 27

cm.

Plate

of red polished red ware, type xxvi.

vertical
lines

Diam. 24
inside,

h.

4 cm.
Diam. i6:

5.

Bowl of red polished red ware,

h. 12

type xxiv''^,

cm.
14.

6.
7.

10.

13.

Jar of red painted

rough ware, type v

10.

Diam.

25

h.

34 cm.

Alabaster bowl,
PI. 72=.

with curved rim and with ring depression in bottom inside,

:

Diam.
jar

32

h.

9 cm.
PI. 72<=.

8.

Alabaster

with shoulder,

Diam. pi
10.

h. ii^

cm.
:

9. Jar
10.
11.

of red painted rough ware, type v

6.

Diam. 20

h.

16 cm.

See

Bulging

jar

of smooth red painted brown ware, type

ix

5.

Diam.

21^

h.

26^ cm.

12.

Volcanic ash cup with recurved rim and hole in rim for spout,
h.

PI. 72''.

Diam.

6 cm.
See
6.

13.

14.

M.

This was

hole about 220

x 140
a

cm and

160

cm

deep.

Axis
a

ca. 43

east

of south.

On
brick.

the north end of the west side were the remains of

door with doorblock of mud-

This was then undoubtedly

small corbel with entrance, see

Map

ni.

6.
N. 300L

Indeterminable Graves.
long, and 140

A mud
Fig. 157.

brick well, 220

cm
53

cm

wide, inside measurements,

and about 80

cm

deep.

Axis

east

of south.

See 3002.

See PL 57

''

and

75

a
?

and

Cleared by Green.

:
30

The

walls

were mere masses of melted brickwork about

cm

thick,
5002

packed with

mud

debris so that the inner surfaces of the wall could

not be distinguished.

Therefore

if

there was an entrance,

it

also

could not have been distinguished.

it

The

size

of the chamber makes

probable that there were

end- chambers.

The

situation

on the

southern slope of the

mound

points to a ground plan analogous to

slate

3022 but the contents of the

tomb (although no

or volcanic ash
3015.

was found) point rather to an analogy with

3017, 3013,
a

In view

of these considerations, we have here probably

corbel

vault with

end chambers on the north end and with an entrance

south end or on the south end of the west
side.
i

either

on the
pian, 1:50.

dirt

The following objects were found. Nos. and 2 were in the 157- n. 3001 and 3002. 10 cm and 20 cm respectively above the floor. The rest were on ihe floor.
I.

2.

5.

Jar of

rough ware, type

jar,

v''.
*.

3.

Alabaster cylindrical

PI.

72

Diam.

14

h.
:

24 cm.
h.

4.
5.

Alabaster drum-shaped

jar,

PI. 72

Diam.

13

4 cm.

See

I.

6.

Limestone bowl,

Fl. 72".

Diam. 28

h. 10

cm.

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

83

7. 8.

Limestone bowl,

PI.

72^

Diam. 3^

h. 7

cm. Diam.
11
:

Alabaster cylindrical jar with cord, PI. 72^.

10.

h. 15

cm.

9.

Plates of red polished ware, type xxvi.

a

In the dirt was

fragment of
3021

large

jar

type m.

About

10

cm

to

the west

of

3001,

about halfway between 3001 and

50
N. 3002. 53

were four stone

vessels, lying in the loose gravel

about

cm

above the level of the top of the walls of

a

3001, PI.

73% see N.

3150.

This was the lower part of

east

mud-brick substructure of indeterminable character.

Axis

of south

(like 3001).
a

This may be
wall of 3001.
30

burial

subsidiary to 3001, see

fig. 157.

The

walls practically

touched the

The

floor

was about

30

cm above
It

the floor of 3001.

The

walls

were about

cm

thick but the brickwork

cf. 1538,

was melted.

seems, however, to have been a corbel vault

of some sort (but

1507),

The

skeleton,

which was
filling

in very bad condition,

was tighdy contracted on the

traces
a

left side

head south, nearly

the

chamber.

There were

of

wooden

coffin

under the

skeleton 5 and that suggests that the grave

may have had

At

mud

brick cover built around and

on top of

wooden

box,

cf. 1538,

16^07.

On
jar, N. 3055.

the

body were

small scraps of charcoal.

PI. 72
'^.

the head was

an alabaster cylindrical

rough without cord,

Rectangular,

mud

brick well, axis 6i east of south.

Noted by Green.
a

Walls i- brick

thick

all

stretchers and 70

cm

high.

There was probably

wood

roof.

Bricks

24x12x7 cm

without straw 5 yellowish mortar.

Skeleton, tightly contracted

on

left side

head south, old male with

ossified vertebrae.

No

pots or other objects were found.

N.3024.

This was the lower part of

racter.

mud

brick structure
like
3015.

of indeterminable cha158.

Axis 61 east of south.

wall

Perhaps

See Fig.

The The

was i brick wide, except

high.

that the

two lower

courses were stretchers

on edge, and 42 cm
bricks

The

corners were rounded above the second course.

were about

28x14x7

cm.

There was no

trace

of body.
158.

On

the floor were:

1.

N. 3034.
I
:

Jar of

rough ware, type

v=.

H,

35

cm.

Plan,

JO.

2.
3.

Plate of red polished ware, type xxvi.

Diam.
5
:

22.

Alabaster

jar

with shoulder,

PI. 72

^.

Diam,

h. iii

cm,

M. 3051.

The lower The

part of a mud-brick substructure of indeterminable character.

Axis 46 east of south.

See

PI,

69* and

Fig. 159.

Cleared by Green.

corners were rounded and the two north comers were strengthened
3053,
3013,

by limestone chips (cf

3012),

It

was therefore probably

a corbel,

apparently with an entrance

on the south end.

it

The

collapse of the

roof had crushed the skeleton; but

was

clearly
coffin.

59Flan,

N. 3051.
I
:

contracted on the

left side

head south, and had been in an oval

mud

$0.

The broken

alabaster dish, no. 4,

was on the skeleton.

The

rest of the objects

were on the

84
floor in the
I.

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in cem.

3000.

southwestern corner, see

2.

PI. (Jp*.

Under

the

body were some fragments of

type
xx"=

slate.

Bulging
75*^.

jars

of smooth red painted brown ware,

cm.
jar,

with

flat

base,

PL
3.

H.

25

Alabaster cylindrical

PI. yi**.

Diam.

la

h.

15.

4.
H.

Alabaster dish, with curved rim and with ring depression, PI.

72"^.

Diam.

32.

MUX

A
south.

small single-chamber well, with bulging walls

unlike any other

known

grave.

Axis 40 east of
154.

See

PI.

69^ and

fig. 152

The brickwork
on the west
side out, side

begins with a course of stretchers

a

and

course of bricks
sides.

on end,

flat

on the other three

fig. 161,

Above

that, the
Plan,
I
:

courses are as in

laid so that the

first

two northern
40

50.

Section,

50.

160

162.

N. 3023.

comers
slightly

are rounded.

The
is

few courses recede

at

so that the vault

wider

cm
the

above the floor than

it

is

at the

floor.
a

At the
corbel

southern end the comers are square inside and outside.

vault

This has the appearance of

but Green

quantity of

who was rotten wood in

present
the

at

clearing

of the interior was convinced by the

walls that there

chamber and on top of the

was

wooden

roof on top of the present

than the second dynasty.

walls.

As the contents shows, the tomb was on the

certainly not later

The

skeleton was contracted

left

side,

head south with the pottery

at

the head

and in front.

On

the bones and below

jar.

them was wood

so that there was a coffin

which

contained the body and the alabaster

On

the bones were also traces of cloth.

The bones

were those of an adult but the sex was indeterminable.

The

objects found in position

1.

on the

floor were:

Alabaster cylindrical

jar,

with cord, type S l^

Diam.

14

h. 15

cm.
75*^.

2.
3.

Bowl of red painted brown ware, not

Jar of rough ware, type v.

polished, type xxiv, PI.

Finger marks below, not scratches,

PI.

75''.

4.
5.

Like

3,

type v*.

Broken.

Plate of red polished

brown ware, type

a
P

xxvi, PI.

75''.

In the dirt in the

piece type
M. 3021.

tomb was found

(like

number of
sign

firagments of types xxi% xxvi and

side), see fig.

one

with

potmark

on

its

i6z above.

A mud
Axis
ca.

brick well about 55

45 east of south.

See

cm high Map iii.

in a hole no

x 67

and

ca.

70

cm below
a

old surface.

The
a

walls contained six courses

a

three stretcher courses below, then

header course

double stretcher course and

header course.
skeleton contracted on the
3150,

There were remains of

were found.
N. 3*72.

left side

head south.

No

objects

The

stone vessels, N.

were between

this

grave and 3001.

A mud
The

brick well,

nyxSo cm
,

and about 62

cm

high.

Axis 48 east of south.

a

walls

contained nine courses

six

stretcher courses and then

header course, a

double stretcher course and a header course.

VIII.

Description of Tombs

in

cem. 3000.

35

N. 3093.

This was

hole 180

x 130

cm and

about 80

cm

deep.

Axis 47 east of south.

PI. 68"^'^.

The

difficulty lay in

determining where the old surface was, see

Around

the

top of the hole was

a superstructure.
It

a wall

which may have been the remains

either

of

lining wall or

of

appeared to

me

to

be part of

superstructure, just outside the north

wall of

which was the

subsidiary burial 3092.

3021

This superstructure fragment was about 100

lies

cm

above the top of the subtructure

which

immediately south, see

PI. 57=.

The

well

which once lined the hole must then have been torn out by lime-burners or plunderers.
N.3094.

This was

a small

substructure with i-brick walls about 30

cm

high. Axis 57 east

of south.

A
N. 3003.

few scattered bones were found.

Axis
$$

Rectangular hole, lined below with brickwork and slabs of limestone.

east

of south.

The
ca.

lining

was found

partially

destroyed (see

PI. 61^),

The

east wall

was

50

cm

high built of stretcher courses.

slabs.

The
left:

line

of the north wall was held

slabs.

by two Umestone

The roof was

perhaps of stone
side,

The skeleton was contracted an the With the burial were the following:
I.

head to the south.

2.

Jars
2

of red painted rough red or brown ware, type

v.

H.

35

cm.

J33

j^

^^^^

No.
3.

had finger marks on base instead of scratches.

1:5.

Alabaster cylindrical jar without cord, PU72*^. Contained

mud

to half

its

height.

H.

\6.

7.

Pottery and

mud box
ca. 75 PI. 57*^,

burials.
the level of the base of the
"

N. 3018.

pottery box in a hole cut to a depth of

fig. 138

cm below

superstructure walls of 3017, see

and
3017.

68^.

Axis 40

east

of north,

parallel

to

the south wall of the superstructure of

The box must

have been either under the wall

or immediately next to

it

under the floor of the enclosure.

cm, rectangular with square corners, rim
2

The box was

78

x 53 x H. 35

slightly thickened.

The
east).

thiclcness

of the walls was about

cm.

The

material

was red painted, hard baked red ware.

lefi:

The

skeleton,

young

adult female,

was contracted on the

side

head north-east
a small

(local
i)^

About

the neck

were beads

(no. 4)5 in the

jars

northwestern corner was

pot (no.

and outside the west end were two

1.

(nos.

2, 3).

Small

jar

with shoulder, of smooth pink ware, with rounded bottom, type xiv=.

H. 16 cm.
2.
3.

Jars

of rough ware, type v^,

PI. 73"=,

PI. 74*.

4.

Beads,

below: limestone or

shell beads,

shell shaped,

beads; glazed beads,

I

pendant, 4 disc

disc beads, 10 cylindrical or spherical beads; carnelian,

3

large barrel-shaped bead (broken in two),

a

more or
discs,

less

barrel-shaped beads;

unpolished carnelian,
N. 3061.

long string of thick

varying from pink to red.

pottery box was

on

the eastern limit of the cemetery at a depth of only 80 cm.

6^8''

Axis

4(5 east

of south.

See PL

and

fig.

1(^3.

The

box, round cornered but not

elliptical,

was 9(5x56x^53, of hard red ware, red

^
It

IX. Burials.

painted and with thickened rim, see PL 68^.

The

pottery

lid

was found broken

side, see
fig.

in the box.

had two pairs of handles,

cavities

made

in the clay

of the upper

i6}^.

The

rim

was cut out on the underside to

fit

the rim of the coffin.

left side

The
female.

skeleton was contracted

on the

head to the south.

those of
a

Under
young

the
adult

body were

remains of several thicknesses of cloth.

The bones were

a

About

the neck

were some beads from

i,

bracelet or necklace (no.

z);

and

in the coffin
I.

were two

alabaster jars (nos.

jar,

3).

Alabaster bulging

dummy,

PI. yz^, a

see type S

iii.

H.
left

10.

z.

Beads from
camelian,

a necklace, a

or from

bracelet

on the

arm,
shell,

PI. 73"=:
3

number of
(?)

barrel shaped
i

and disc beads j

disc,
i

disc

163.
^'"''

n. 3061.

beads j

syenite

pebble pendant}

copper

blue glazed bead

'^'

and
3.

blue glazed pendant or amulet.

jar,

Alabaster cylindrical

with cord.

Diam.

10.

In the dirt in the coffin were:

4. Frag,
5.

of alabaster cylindrical

jar

with cord.

Diam.

11.

Bowl of red painted red ware, not

polished, type xxiv

''.

Diam.
(J

2i|

H. p^ cm.

6. Plate

of red polished brown ware, type xxvi.

next to the north end of and on

Diam.

27

h.

cm.

lf.M9L

small

mud box

a level
" ^

with the top of the wall of

3093 as

now preserved. Axis 38 north of east. See PI. (58 and fig. 154. The box which was ca. 65X30XH. 15, had rounded ends but parallel sides. The walls were about 2 cm thick. The skeleton, a child, was contracted on the left side head to the northeast (local east) face
strings

f^F^S^
,64.
'''*"'

ffj^

n. 3091.
'

towards
i).

3093.

About

the neck were remains of

two

distinct

^'

of beads Cno.
in

In the coffin was a small alabaster

dirt

jar (no. 2).

Just outside

was

pot

(no.

3),

removing the
1.

of which

found the wooden cylindrical

5

seal (no. 4).

a

Beads:

string

of small cylindrical blue glazed beads

string of larger blue

glazed disc beads j

2.
3.

two camelian
jar

disc beads;

and one
Diam.

steatite (?) cylindrical bead.

Alabaster cylindrical

without cord,

PI. 73 .

h. 7i
ca.

cm.
19^: h. ca. zy^ cm.
3.

Bulging

jar

of greenish white ware, type xx,

PI. 74*.

Diam.

4.
M.

half decayed

wooden
at

cylinder, PI. 43.

Found

in the dirt in no.

MM.

An

oval

mud box was

oval,

the northeastern corner of 3015 but

the walls.

on

a level 104

cm

above

the floor of ^016 and about 30

The mud box was The skeleton of a

cm above the top of Sox $6x11. ca. 20 cm.

Axis 6}

east

of south.
thick.

The
left

walls

were

cm

child

was contracted on the

side

head south.

8.

Burials in holes.
few bones of
east,

H. MS5.

An

irregular shallow hole containing a

left

contracted burial of a child which

75"^.

had been on the

side

head south, about 40

see PI.

The bones

rested

on

mass of decayed organic matter showing traces of cloth and wood.

IX. Burials.

g7

At the head end was

jars
(I, 2).
1.

part of a red polished bowl.

At the

knees,

were two small

(3).

alabaster

On
2.

the south side of the bones a lot of beads were scattered

jar
jar,

Alabaster

with handles,
PI. 72''.

PI. 72

^
a separate piece

Alabaster

The rim was of

PI. 75
<^.

and was

left

off in the

photograph by mistake, see

3.

Beads

number of

small polished carnelian and garnet beads, in

form thick

discs.

N.3019.

Adjoining

3018

on

the east was a contracted burial nearly

138.

on

the same level and partially

inclosed in limestone slabs, see Fig.

The

skeleton lay

on the

left side

head west.

No
is

trace

of wooden

coffin

was found, but

in cem. 700 slabs

were

in several cases laid against

wooden
I

coffins

which were simply covered

with earth in order to protect them.

fourth dynasty shafts.
N. 3092.

This

burial

beheve contemporaneous with the

In a shallow oval hole was

PI. 68
'''

contracted

burial

on

left

side

head south,

ca.

22 east,

^'

<.

In these photographs, the upper stratum found cut to pieces by lime burners had
level
is

been removed. The old

N. 3150.

probably 60
a

100 cm

above the level shown in the photograph.

vessels,

Between

3021

and

3001,

we found

group of stone

PL

75

<*,

in

the

loose gravel

under the limekiln

debris, apparently just

3001.

under the ancient

surface.

It is

probable that they

had been pulled out of

1.

Alabaster

jar

with shoulder and concave base, type S

x, PI. 73 s

2.
3.

Soft black stone, a thin bowl, PI. 73*.

Alabaster

jar

with shoulder, made in two pieces, type S

jar

iv,

PI. 73*.

4.

Fragments of alabaster

with shoulder,

PI. 73^.

IX.

BURIALS.
all

Prisir-

T^HE
X

burials in

cem. 1500 had been almost

destroyed by plundering. In the large tombs only

three burials

were preserved

(1532,

1513

two); and these three, owing to their depth below

the moisture of the yearly inundation,

the surface and consequent exposure to

were badly

decayed.

The

better examples of the small

tombs were almost

all

plimdered.

Consequently

the majority of skeletons found were those in the poorer,

in the

more shallow

graves, especially those

if

mud

and pottery

coffins.

And

it

is

obvious that burials in closed coffins

placed in

the grave after being closed

3000, a

would be

especially liable to errors of orientation.'

is

In cemetery

number of

intact graves

were found and consequently the material

its

more abundant.
mud, pottery or

But even here no skeleton was found well enough preserved to permit

removal.

The

following
are

summary

gives
a

all

the

burials

found.

The

burials

in

wooden boxes

marked with
left side.

star *.

Al/ these burials were contracted and all hut one

(ijjjj were on the

'

These cofSns did not show any mark

like the

eyes on the later

coffins,

which could indicate the position of the body

in the coffin.

&8

IX. Burials.

On
Head south
1513 a 1513

the left side.

On
east

the right side.

south.

Head north
1531?

Head
3012

Head west
1525

Head
1535

3022

1*

(disturbed).

3023*
3025

i6}6*
KJ35*

3013 (?)

1525 II*

>53i

3018*

1602*

1664
j$6i
1592

3026
3051

3014*
3053*
5 cases.

3091*

1645*
1645
3019

cases.

3052

1585*

3054
3055

cases.

3002
3003

30^1*
3071
3013 (?)

3015
3021

22 cases.
Burw^j

In spite of the paucity of this material,

it is

perfectly clear

(i)

that burial in

a contracted

^ it/^ji^ position
htttJsntk.

on the

left side

was customary,

(2)

that the orientation towards the local south

if

was

fi^

preferred orientation or even the normal orientation

we

disregard the

box

burials.

The

position of the hands and the feet was not uniform either in these burials or in those of the

preceding and succeeding periods.

the fece in the predynastic period.

It

may be
3'"<*

said

however

that

hands were very often before

In the

4'*'

period, one or both hands are sometimes

between the
Ompariten
fotitio^

legs or

around them.
a

This conclusion corresponds entirely with the loiown predynastic custom of burying in
left side

contracted position on the

It

head south to which there were however some exceptions.

at

L^'

corresponds also with the positions in Petrie's m cemetery

Abydos, with the subsidiary

royal burials at the same place, with the second dynasty burials at el

Amrah
at

and, as will be seen

from the following

table,

with the second to

left

fifth
left

dynasty burials

Naga-ed-Der and Gizeh.

Dyn.
I

Cem.
.

On

side

On

left

side

On

side east

On

left

side

On

right side

On

right side

Head south Head

22
71

On Back

north
5

Head

Head west

Head south
I

Head west

1500-3000

23
4 4-(J

N.

3500

6
7
134

N. 500 N. 700
Gizeh
burials in

61

5
as a rule,
12

The down on
even
later

cem. 3500 and 500 are tightly contracted

In 700 and at Gizeh the contraction
is

often with head bent

the knees. the

often relaxed.
left side

In the larger tombs

as early as

Cheops period, the

burials are

extended on the

head north and the

back.
j

intruded pits of the 5""

7"'

dynasties often have the burials

on the

The

earliest
a

dated burial extended on the back which

alabaster jar bearing cartouches

we

have found was in N.

(J'^

3501 (?)

dated by

large

of Unas and Teti. In the

to u"" dynasties, the extended burials

still

(on side or back) became customary but the poorest burials were
left

contracted usually on the

side,

probably for reasons

of economy though possibly not without being influenced by

IX. Burials.

g^
older

the older custom.

burials

To

state

it

in

another form,

the

custom was preserved

in

poor
period
right

probably for reasons of economy. But these poor contracted burials of the
tightly

later

were not usually so

angles to the
i.

contracted

as

the older burials;

for

the

femurs were

at

body while the knees were bent

tightly bringing the heels

up near the

pelvis,

e.

approximating as nearly as

the space permitted the position

of the extended burial}

In
1525
11,

Very
and
lay

little

evidence of wrappings was preserved in cem. i^oo and 3000.

}oizffmappings

3014, there

were fragments of cloth clinging to the bones

in places.

The

skeleton in }o6i

on

several thicknesses of cloth (moderately fine

woven

linen).

The

skeletons in 3023 and

in 3025

had thicknesses of cloth over and under them but were not wrapped.

In

1532

and

1513,

there was

some dark organic matter under the bones but whether from mat,
But
this

cloth or

wood
the

could not be determined.

the other burials.
tissues

does not mean that there were no cloth coverings on

Cloth and even

wood might

disappear utterly in this moist

soil just as

of the body have disappeared.

site

comparison of the

burials in the various

6^

dynasty

cemeteries of this

shows exactly what may have happened.

strata

The

5'^

dynasty tombs of
all

cem. 700 being in low-lying gravel

cloth and

have in most cases lost entirely

trace

of

tissue,

wood

while the d'^ dynasty tombs of cem. 100 being in high dry limestone con-

tained dried skin and sinews, masses of clothes and even in

one

case a fine veil.

The traces

of wrappings found justify therefore

the conclusion that these burials in cem.

ijoo and jooo

4'^

were

loosely

folded in several thickness of shawl- like cloth after the manner of the

dynasty

contracted burials.
burials

The
were
It

limbs were not wrapped separately.^

usually folded

The

4'^

5"'

dynasty extended

on the

side

up

in a shirt or in cloth in the

until the
(J'*'

same way and covered

with masses of shawls.

was not customary

dynasty to wrap the limbs separately.^

in the following cases
:

Wood, mud,

pottery coffins and basket

work coverings were preserved

Co/pts.

Wood:
Pottery:

1538,

1538a, 1582, 1531a; 3002, 3014, 3022, 3023, 3053.

The

joints

were overlapping or

grooved but not

152511,

bevelled.
3018,
(3

1640,

1585;

30(^1.

The

coffins

in 1640

and

1585,

both of which are

probably
tainly

later graves
I

dyn.) are oval; the coffins in 1525 n, 3018, 30^1, cer-

of the
1,

dynasties are rectangular, though 30^1 has round corners.

153(5;

Mud:
Basket:

1635, 1525
153(5
1(535.

ido2,

1(54.5,

3091.

These

are all
302(5,

of

the rectangular

form though

and 3091 have rounded corners.

N.

3051

were oval

in

form.

Mud

lined oval basket.

Mat: \6^6a.

Evidence

as to

the older, large tombs was lacking.

In the predynastic graves^ the

as

wooden

boxes were apparently built in the graves and not treated

possible that the burials in the
laid

portable coffins.

It is

therefore

wood-roofed tombs were

either enclosed in boxes or simply

on the
'

floor in their loose cloth wrappings.

in detail in later

Both customs, even, may have been followed.

II,

This question will be dealt with

volumes, see Mace, Early Dynastic Cemeteries

easily under the influence

Chapter on Burials.

'

These early loose wrappings would disappear more

rolls of cloth

of moisture th<m

the later tight wrappings forming

massive
'

about the limbs.

of the later

The beginning

more expensive method of wrapping

is

to

be found of course

in

the tombs

of the great and wealthy

before the method became

*

generally customary.

N. 7000 and Mesaid.

I.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

'^

90
This whole material in certainly

X. Pottery.
small.

But

all

there

is,

shows

simple continuance of

f^J

^^

pred\Tiastic burial positions.

The

replacement of

wooden

grave-casings and

mat or

skin outer

'"^^

wrappings by brick chambers and wooden boxes

is

a perfectly natural

one undoubtedly based

on advances

in technical skill

the

arts

of brick building and of copper working.

The

first

rendered mats and skins superfluous by providing that dirt-free space towards which there was
a

manifest striving in the wood-roofed and wood-lined predynastic graves^

facilities

and the second

a

gave greater

for working

wood

into portable boxes.

There

is

not

bit
3

of evidence
4"^ dynasty,

pointing to the influence of a foreign race.

as will

Furthermore the
present only

burials

of the

be

shown

in the later

volumes of

this series,

a perfectly natural

continuance

of the

burial position

and customs of
a

this period.
fast rule

The
;

earlier orientation

of the body towards

the south was not at any time

hard and

and the change in orientation towards the

north in the fourth dynasty

is

not a priori inexplicable on the ground of internal developments.

finds
its

Whatever
technical

else there
skill.

was of change

sufficient explanation

in the

advances in native

X.

POTTERY.
1500

Kindt

n^HE
X
I

pottery found in these

two

cemeteries,
is

and 3000,
qualities

is

all

hand made

(i.

e.

hand

*/

clay,

turned not wheel turned).

material.

The

material

of three

and the treatment

varies greatlv

with the
a.

Mud,
or

Types xxix - 3, which

'

are not abundant, are

made of Nile mud

2""^

(field earth)

only

slighdy baked.
less in
all

This material

is

used in the predynastic period (see type xxix) and more

to
5'*'

succeeding periods especially for the /^-pots of the

dynasties.

b.

dark mixture which seems to have a large percent of river

mud

(or something si-

milar).

When

soft baked,

this

appears as a
a

brown warej and when hard

i

baked, as a
It
is

red ware, red on the surface to

painted with a red

depth of
(i)

mm
3

and black
are

inside.

usually

haematite wash,
iii,

Certain forms

smoothed only with the

xxvm.
(2)

hand

in turning:

types

v, vi, vu, viii, ix^-'^, xiii, a

xiv, xx, xxvii,

:

A
"=,

few
xxii.

hard baked forms are smoothed with

(3)

pebble (not polished)

types xv, xix, xxi *>

types
11,

Certain other forms, usually soft baked, are pebble polished:

xi,

xii, xxi*',
iii,

xxui, xxrv-=, XXV, xxvi.

IX* -4,

This material approaches in the best examples of types

c.

very closely to the poorer examples of material

c.

It

is,

in fact, very difficult

3,

to draw the Ime between b and

In the predynastic period material

was used for

the red polished pottery, black polished pottery and the rough faced pottery and in the succeeding periods later than
c.
2"''

dyn. for red polished pottery.

a larger

light

well-kneaded mixture containing

varies according to the

or smaller percent of light clay or

iafl.

The ware

baking and the proportion of clay from pink

or faint greenish white to drab or light brown.

The

surface

is

smooth, in some cases

is

apparently smoothed with the wet hand before baking.

red.

The
cases

surface

sometimes painted

This ware

is

in

no

case so
is,

good

as

the predynastic wares of similar material (wavy

handled,

3(5,

38,

40) but

nevertheless, in

many

distinct imitation

of the

X, Pottery.

n
In the later periods especially firom

older ware, types

the
ii*'^

i,

iv, ix'-s, x, xvi, xvii,

xviu.

dynasty onwards,
Ballas

this material is

used with increasing frequency

down

to the

Keneh and

wares of the present day.

Types
Type
1

of pottery.^

= 2 = =
1

1532, 33

(potmark

a).^
1

1532, ii{c,d), 1532, 16.

n{b); 1505,

{e), 2 (/j.

The
;

pot mark e was made before

baldng the others after baking.

The

lines

of the pot-marks are drawn from right

to left or

from top to bottom. R.

T.
I,

For pot-

mark
tombs

e,

cf.

PI.

45, 111156 (from

ii,

W,

Y, T, X, U, Q)_and R. T.

PI. 55, 1626

(from tombs O, T, X, V).

Hard, fine-grained, reddish ware, interior

dark brown; smoothed wet outside; usually
fflf

with inscription.
tical

This

is

well-made prac-

jar suitable

for holding beer or grain.

/,

See Petrie, R. T.
In form
larger
its
it

PI. 39,

165.

Type

I,

10.

12;

Abydos

I,

PI.

35

41.

has

no

direct predynastic prototype, but

(Petrie,

may be
of

a modification

of one of the
beer
jar

wavy handled
it

jars

W.

31, 33);

or,

on the

basis

its

function

as a

and

material,

may have descended from

copies
Fig. 822
it

the long late jars (Petrie,

36^)

of hard pink ware.

There
at

are

two examples of

in alabaster,

one with

rope net, found by Amelineau

Abydos, // Origines

823.

In our tombs this type ceases abruptly with the wooda

roofed tombs.

At Abydos,

degenerates rapidly into

a

long cylindrical
at

jar

with two rings in the tomb of Khasehemui,

type found also

Mahasna

in
is

the third dynasty (see Mahasna, xxxi, 2126).

still

further degeneration

possibly to be found in a cylindrical pot with a slight ridge

on the shoulder

found by us

at

Gizeh.
j

Type II = 1532, 12 Red painted,

with polished
are porous
jars for

1512, 23.

soft

brown ware with an even

the

dull pebble-polish.

Experiments

jars

of material b of the predynastic period show

like

that these jars

and may have served,

modern
/,

polished

jars

of Mexico,

as

cooling liquids.
this jar has
jar

See Petrie R. T.

PI. 40, 10.

is

In form,

no

direct predynastic prototype, although there

smaller red polished

in the large
'

of similar proportions.
types.
number

In our tombs,

it

occurs only
166.

wood- roofed

Type

II.

In the lists of pots the first

given, after the type-number

is

the one

shown

in the figure.

The numbers

of corbel vaults

are

marked with a
'

star .
in

Type

occurs

two cemeteries near Gizeh.

92

X. Pottery.

Type nil
2
3

=*

1513,

90

(a

is

on op-

posite side).

= = *i5i4,
jar
is

*i5i3> 88,89. 30,46)

*i58(S, II.

Smooth,
ware.

red painted,
still

brown
as

This
is

suitable for

grain; but

not so strong

the

predynastic prototype.

See Petrie,

Abydos

/,

Tomb

M 14 on Pi. 39
II,

and

167.

Type

III,

10.

Pi. 33, 127-139;

Abydos

44, pd.
in the late predynastic period
(Petrie L46,47,

Exacdy the same form occurs

Ahaiwah).
are

and

at el-

The form
later

occurs in 4"'
(12"'

5* dynasty tombs

at

Naga-ed-Der and Gizeh. Similar forms

found in
I

tombs

to

18''').

Type IV

= 2 = 1529,1;
hard,

1525, 32 and

X; *3oi5,

16;

*i6o$, x.

*i(Ji4,i,2;

*I5I3, 71;

*3oi4j3; *3022,

7.

Smooth

fine-grained

reddish

brown ware,

manifest
late

attempt to reproduce the hard pink or white ware of the

predynastic period.
Petrie

The
PI. 40,

type

is

degeneration of the prototype,

L 3(J,

but

still
/,

a jar suitable for grain

17, 26, 27.

and possibly

liquids also^

See Petrie, R. T.
Exactly the

same type occurs

the late predynastic period

but, as said above,

of better material (Petrie

at

^6)

and accompanied by greater variety of

form.

In the Cheops tombs

a
jar

Gizeh, especially in the tomb of the Prince

type in form and material.

^ ^\^
side

we found

resembUng

this

The

type seems, however to

have merged
in the same

in type v, although in cem. 1500

and cem. 3000 both types occur

by

side

tomb

(see 1^14, 3022 etc.).

6;

Type 1

= 1532,65,59-64,69-78; ido2, 2 = 1525,22; *i552, *i57i, = *I5I4, 32-45;

7,8;
3

*i5i4, 31; *i522, 9; ^616, y,

21;

* 1(^30,

i;

*3o53,

II, 14, IS.

10, 18,

*i584,
I

9,

10;

^1572,
9,

x; * 1^14,
15,

2;

3003,1.
;

i<^o2,

4,

s;

^<S}6,

1,

2j

*i(Jii,

*i882

10; *i(Jo5,

17-21

*\626, 16; *i585,

5;

* 1633, 1-4; 3ooij'.2> 3003?

2;
10,

3011,4,8,9; *3oi4,
13,73,77;
*i<^i5j 7;

I 3,s; 3054j
2.

'>

1^7^, ^-i-

= 5 = *i6iz, 6 = *i(Jo5, 1616, 10,60 see type 7 = 8 = *3oi7, 1-19; *3oi3, X; 1525,23,24; 9 = 10 = }o\6, 710; *3oi7, 1
4
i(5o2, 5;
1512.,

'7;

*I5I3> 7,8,

3018,

8.

16;

4;

*i<530, 2.

1512,

(58,

vi); 3018,

3.
12, 13.

8,9, II, 13;

*3053,

1581,

3016', 27,31;
19;

*30I2, 1,2,6.
4.

*3022,

Rough
'

faced, red painted

brown or red ware

(material b) varying
water
jar,

from brown in the

6a//ii,

soft

It is

interesting to note that the

European sugar

factories use the

called gerra

or

for transporting

cane syrup,

from the presses to the refinery.

X. Pottery.

93

baked to red in the hard

baked ware.
has

The neck
by

been

smoothed

passing

the

wet

finger

around horizontally.
base
is

The

invariably

marked
as if

by vertical scratches
it

had been trimmed with

blunt blade perhaps a
blade.

wooden
a

The same
occurs
in

phenomenon
few

examples

of

the

predynastic prototype of

type

IV

found
is

at el-Ahai-

169.

Type V,

10.

wah

and

especially
tall

common
The
grave.

in the

jars

of the
(i,

i8">

dynasty.

See Petrie R. T.

I,

PI. 41,20,21,22,24,25,28.
iv.

best examples

2,

3)

are,

except for these scratches, very similar to type

5,

The

poorer examples are distinctly different (c

6,

8,

9, 10).

Both types occur

in

the same

Even

better

and

poorer varieties of type v occur in the same grave

(see i5i4, \6i$, 1616,
all

on

PL
PI.

51 j

1525,

PI.

54 J
55;

i5o2,
3016,
J

55;

i6o5,
3017,

PI.

-4
170.

PI. 73 J

PL

74).

As
were
with
a

Later forms of type V, 1:10.

rule

these

jars

found empty or
but nine

filled

mass of
1-4,

dirt indistinguishable

from the debris of the tomb

a

examples,

1601, 4,5,

16^33,

and

3012,1,6,

contained

sort

of

mud

plug in the

bottom

as if

mud

(for plastering the

(cf.

tomb?) had been brought and scooped out with the hand
jar
is

leaving a remnant'
for

type

vi).

In any case, the

cheap rough thing suitable only

some temporary
pot of
is

use- as an offering-pot prescribed

by

tradition (cf. the use

of the round
its

bellied

the 8"*

12"' dynasties, as

an ofFering-pot used once only). Possibly

acquired after the loss of
iv,
it

use

as a

mud
jar is

carrier

only

secondary

fiinction,

its

traditional

function.

In consideration of the existence of type

seems to

me

that the prototype

of

this

L
'

30

33*""^

(L

33**

seems to be type v

itself).^

Type v

occurs in every type of tomb

A'<

Dr. Borchardt found the S'h dynasty successor of this jar used for lime - plaster at Abusir, see
In the

-Htiligium,

I,

p.

62.

It

was

sometimes used for this purpose also at Gireh.

porting lime-plaster.
^

Cheops cemetery, magurs, a

far

more

suitable pot, and baskets

were used

for trans-

In this connection,

it

may

be recalled that most of these tombs were built at the time of

that l 72, 74, 76, 78

burial,

see

p.

6 above and note

4'''

I.

' It

may be
is

said, in passing,

{Nagada and Ballas,

PI. 41)
in

form a group of characteristic

5 '^

dynasty pots

which, so far as

recorded

in

the published material, have never been found

a predynastic burial.

So

also L

338 (EUAmrak and Abydcs,

PI. 13) is a characteristic

y^

dynasty pot.

94
and almost
in

X. Pottery.

every tomb of both cemeteries (1500 and 3000).

This

jar, still

hand-made, con-

tinues in use but degenerates in

form during the

3'"'*

to u'*" dynasties (see

a

fig. 170).'

This persistence of

a pot,

which could have had only

tlie

temporary use,

still

hand made for

is

near joo years after

offering-pot

tlie

invention of

potter's wheel,

shows

clearly that this

a traditional

made only
1535, 5}

for funerary pvu^joses

3-5.

and used but once.^

Type VI

= a = = *i58i, X 4 = 1512,58; X. 5 = 6= *
I

i<Jo8, ij 1647,
1530, 67;

*i<J22, 10}
(3

*i58(f,6.

pieces).

still

smaller, 1512,16,19,21,3033,59,6:.
i6i\, 6

1581,

For

see type

vii.

1513,82.

Rough
on the
by
its

faced, red painted,

like

brown or red ware

distinguished

like

type

v.

Neck smoothed
base.

type

v.

But there are no trimming scratches

jar
is

Otherwise the
its

from type v
See

smaller size and

tapering or even concave body.

cf. 43, 130-131,

Petrie,

R. T.

/,

PI. 41, 21,22,

is

The
N. N.
the
16^22, 10

cavity

small

as

if it

were almost

dummy

jar.

and

1(547,

35 contained each a
1533

mud

plug, like certain examples

of type v and type

vii.

1533, 5

contained ashes; but N.

1533, 4

was badly plundered, and ashes were found elsewhere

1533, 7.

in

grave, especially in

and beside

The The

type occurs only in the large tombs of cem.

1500.

prototype

is

probably of the hard pink ware, perhaps some form of

v,
cf.

3d''

or

38.

Subsequently the type disappears, perhaps merged with type

however

el

Kab,

xii 21, 22.

Type VII

= 2 =
I

*id22,

5,

6;

1(^21, 6j

1581,

X; *i5i3,

74.

*I(J22, 4,7-

Rough
like

faced, red painted,

vi.

brown or red ware

like

(material

b)

types v and

Neck smoothed
/,

v and

vi.

No

trimming
172.

scratches.

See Petrie, R. T.
cavity
is

PI. 42, 3841.

Types VII and

VIII,

lo.

The
tical

small

and

it

is

difficult to

imagine any pracvi.

is

use for this jar which might not as well have been performed by types v and

The
pro-

jar is rare,

only seven examples having been found (4 in

jars,

i62z;

in \6z\).

Its

prototype

bably

some of the smaller

perhaps
xii 21).

74, 75.

It

cannot be traced in our cemeteries

beyond these examples

(cf. el-

Kab

Type VIII = *i5i3, Rough faced,

'

74, 7^, 7S

(fig.

ml
brown ware
(material
b)
like

red

painted,

vii.

See

Petrie,

R. T.

I,

Petrie, R. T.I, PI. 41, 16

31

and

p. 29,

mentions Dendcreh xvi, 26 as being the descendent of type

v.

But he ignores the conv.

temporaneous types given

'

in 6g. 170,

while Dtnderih xvi, 26 has neither connecting links nor similarity with type

At Gizeh these
filling

pots

were

often found in the

mouths

of

untouched

pits.

They were sometimes found

in

great deposits in the upper

layen of the
of the 8

of mastabas, in plundered shafts, or even in offering chambers, apparently cast aside like the round bellied offering pots

12*

dynasties.

And

the possibility must be remembered that these cast

away

jars

would be very convenient

for

subsequent

masons

to use for carr3ring mortar etc.

X. Pottery.
PI. 4i, 65107

95

especially 6997.
this

There

is

late

predynastic type which

small

we found
its

at

el-Ahaiwah

similar

enough to
I

type (something

like a
3.

copy of

34"=)

to be

prototype.

Type IX

= 1525, X; 2 = = ^5^57 4 = ^5^97 5 = 3'=>9hi; 6 = 3051,

3

1581, x{2); *isi3, 81;

*i585,

1525, 25.
29.

45

*i5I3j 84i
*i58(^, 4}

*i6o5,x{i)i *i53o,
3015, "

3.

1,

2.

Smooth, usually red painted ware varying from

soft light

brown

to hard red.
material
c,

The

better examples

seem to be of
terial
b,

the poorer ones of ma-

the line being difficult to draw.

N.

3091

was
Type
IX,
I

in fact a light greenish white ware, unpainted.

jars

These
:

were smoothed wet before baking.

T.
I,

See Petrie,

lO.

R.

PI. 42, 53-55.

jar^

This

has a direct prototype in

at

53

(cf.

especially

53^ in

Diospolis Parva,

PI. 19,

53*'

was found very frequently

el-Ahaiwah in various
(cf.

sizes j

and the same type exactly

xxxiiij

occurred also with decorations in red paint

21,

in

Naqada

25" in Diospolis

Parva
see

xv).

Type

ix is

made however of only

This
jar

poor imitation of the hard

fine

pink or white

material

of the prototype.
xxxi, 20
(4'''

does not appear to have had any direct successor; but

Medum

dynasty) and the stone forms u

vii.

Type

X =
I

1525, 28, 30.

2, 3.

= \6o6^

Hard, smooth, fine-grained drab or buff ware (material

c).

See Petrie,
174-

R.

T.

I,

PI. 42, 48.

it

Cf. the predynastic form

3'^'^

39.

We

have not been able

Type X.

to trace

in our

dynasty cemeteries.

Type XI

XII

= 1647, = *is62,
150I,

2.

2.

b ==
C

*3oi7, X.
3-

= XIII a = b = XIV a = 1^28, b = C = 1529,

1522,
1522,

1(535, 'j
I.

*i58<^j

x; *3oi2,

14.

1.

and *i585,
and
3018,

x.

^'
175-

I.

Type

XI XIV,

10.

Types
xm"'
>

XI

and

xii^~''=

are

of

dull -polished,

fine

hard red or drab ware (material

*~<=

c);

are

of

dull red-polished
c).

brown ware
same,

(material b) ; xiv
/,

are

of hard
and
98,99:

fine

pink or drab

ware (material
cf.

For type

xi,

c Petrie, R. T.
55:

Pi. 43, 110-114

for
xiii'',

type

xii^-'',

R.
'

T. /, PI. 42,83-85: for xu=, cf.

Petrie R. T. T, PI. 29 traces this jar to

for xiii^, c
xli,

same, 68: for

to

cf same

57:

a prototjrpe

Naqada

94 which appears however

be

itself

an early dynastic pot

belonging to the group of types xii xiv.

96
for xiv, cf. satne, 6i: for xiv*", cf. same,
33,

X. Pottery.

5860: for xiv^, cf.

same,

57.

These

jars are traceable

direcdy to

$2

54
S u
as

(Petrie)

and
it

also

to the polished jars

P 44

46.

Similar forms occur in

xi

stone vessels,

cf.

Xj

and

must be noted that the examples of

as

xiv

occur in small

tombs probably
forms.
similar

poorer substitutes, serving the same function

the

corresponding stone

Similar forms

were found

in the

3"^^

and 4'^ dynasty graves of cem. 500

6^^ dynasties.

700

and

forms recur in the wheel made pottery of the 4""

Type

XV =
XVI a

*3oi3,

12.

= *3oi7, X. b = XVII =
*i5<J2,
J.

*I5(S'2, 4.

XV

Wl
'7^-

Type XV
Petrie, /?. T.
I,

is

of brown ware,
42,49.

stained

black
xvii
all

apparently
are
fine

accidentally,

see

PL

Types
50.

xvi"-''

and

grained pink ware (material

c),

see

R.
XV,

T.

/,

PI. 42, 51,52

and

These types have

cf.

91

92

for XVI,

cf.

61

of them direct predynastic prototypes: for

6}-,

for xvii,

cf.

6$ and

42.

Type XVIII XIX

=
a

1602,

^==?
XX

1521, 1.

b ==
n

*3 "3031,
-3013,

10.
5.
1

XX =

Types xvm and

xix are

of red ware (material c of

a

poor

sort).
is

XVIII

XIX Q

XLX-t

Type
types:

xix** is

of brown ware, with

xix",
cf.

dull black

polish.
124.

Type xx

of

177.

brown ware. For type

Petrie,

R.

xvm
at

is

practically

T. 43,

All these have direct predynastic protois

5i

{Nagada,
a

PI. 32)5
a

xix

W90;

xix'' is

W7i''j xx
all

is

like a piece

found
with

el-Ahaiwah but with

bottom of

separate piece.

These types

seem to cease

this period.

Type XXI

a 3

= 2= I532,3,32,S'j
i

1532, 50.

I<J2I,4}

*i5i5,.6.

= a 4 = XXI b = b 2 = 3015, = b b 4 = XXI c = c 2 = *30i7, c = 3071, 04 = *l622,

a
3
I

i532 s8.
1533, 7i I512, 46.

1532, 6;

*i5i3,

.2.

35

*I5I447,49.

*i5i3 87.
i533> 4.
I.

3011,

50;

*3023, X.
X
178.
2

^y
I
:

8-

Type XXI,

lo.

2.

Types

xxi""

'4 are of red painted, hard red ware: xxi''-' 4 and

xl,
41,

<=-

'3 are of red polished

brown ware (c I Abydos

are further distinguished

xxxvii, 1,2,5,6).

xxi='4

is

of red painted ware.

The

c- forms

by the form of the

rim.

X. Pottery.

97
(1532,58; 3011,
i

These
were found

jars

sometimes contain bones of offering animals

also

[human?];
1514,47,49).

3017,50);

and such bones were

in
1533, 4

found near overturned

1533, 7;
is

jars

of

this

type

(1532,58;
fire

Ashes

and beside

and
(J3;

1533, 7

and

1513, 87

were
10
(?).

stained.

The
Type

predynastic prototype

42,

9, 9'';

and P

The

type

is

not found in

our third dynasty cemeteries.

It is

copied in stone, see

1571,

PI.

49 , type S xiv.

XXII =

1532,

n.

Smooth hard red ware.

cally XXI

This type

is

practiis

with an open spout added.

There

no

direct prototype except the prototype of xxi.

similar stone

very

form occurs

in

cem. 500, third dynasty.

Type XXIII = 1532, 34. Red painted, pebble

. . .

polished
as a large

brown

ware.
'79-

Type XXn.

80.

Type XXin.

This

is

practically the

same

form of xxiv
it

with an open spout added.

Otherwise

has

no prototype.
i<^34,

Type XXIV

= 1512,27; 1532,2630,68; 1506,4; 1501,5; 2 = 1719,2124,3538; X; *i5i5,

1

*i6i2,i.

1532,

1525,

16;

*isS6, 8; i529,x; 3015,26,23 (pol.all over);

3

*3oi7, 45; 30'^i5X

(no

pol.);

^3031, 33; *3oi3j

i;

(no

pol.).
2

XXIVb
b
b

= 16^6,1; 1522,2 (dep.); 1601, 2 = 1525, X; 1647, * = 5,8,9; 3001, 3022, ;\_
1

1611, s;

}oi6, 22;

* 3053,

(circular dep.,

no

pol.).

21,

1512, 28, 29; 10;

I.

1532,

*3023,

(no

ai 3oi5>
5.

/'\
y
.

'

pol.);

V/'\
k
I
:

!>~^^

XXIV c
c
^ c

= 2 = _
1

1532, 20.
1532, 56.
,<- ,,. 1512, 54,

k
*, 3"?
, 5-

'V /
I8l.

/
10.

'i
a
1

J
2,

Type XXIV,

Red
inside

or

brown ware
are

(material b), usually soft-baked

(3015, 23 is

brown, red painted, pebble polished on

In the better forms of

and on outside of rim

lines

polished

all

over).

the

polishing

vertical

(i.e. radiating

from bottom)

inside,

see PI. 53^'S 9^ hke the prePI. 53*' ').

dynastic bowls, or both vertical and horizontal (thus producing an unbroken polish, see

In other cases, the lines are vertical on one side, In

all

horizontal

on another,

see PI.

53a. ".'4, "5.

these forms, the hnes are horizontal

on

the outside of the rim and sometimes

on the

inside

of rim

also.
PI.

and out, see

The b- forms usually have horizontal hnes (i. e. around the bowl) inside 54'2'. The c- forms usually have vertical hnes Hke the a forms, see PI. 53'4.
predynastic prototype of this type
is

The
bowls.

direct

12

19

(P

23

28).

These, and the

types XXV and xxvi, are the bowls which seem to have given rise to the forms of the stone

few examples of type xxiv^ were found

in the
6*^

tombs of the

third dynasty in

cem. 500

700.
is

But the wheel-turned bowls of the 4*

3''''

dynasty usually have recurved

edges, copying the stone forms of the

dynasty.

Type

XXV =
in

*i5i3, 92, 67;

all

16^02,2;

1617,

x; 301^,33; 3011,2.
like xxiv.

This

particulars a

ware

In fact

it

is

merely

a variety
182.

ot XXIV forming a connecting link between xxiv and xxvi.

the predynastic

Type xxv.

forms

12 '"'"<=

(P

25).

This form
I.

also

is

copied in stone, see type S xxv.

13

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

98
Ty-pe

X. Pottery.

XXVI

= *}o6i,
all

1532, 395

i5ii> 'J

= ^^

41

i5i3 91.

These

are

shallower or deeper, thicker or thinner varieties of the same pan, varying in

height from 4 to 6

cm and
were:

in diam.

from 20}6 cm.

5* ss,
66^ 1512,

The examples found

1-9,
11.18,

1532,10, 3949,
(3

M.

as. 45.

5> s3.ss,6Ji 1621,1-3,

examples, one
stack
^^^

no

pol.); *i57i,

16, 17.

*tsi5,

9,

10; *i5i3. ^. ^9, 91 (a

^^p^ xx^i^

of 6 pans) i

*i58(J, 7;

*i<S3o>Sj

3001,9,10;

3011,6,7,13;

*3oi3. 4} *30i4,ii *3oi5>3,4j 3^^) 24,33,39 (pol. all over);

*3oi7, 46,48; 1*3022, 2,10; ^3023, 5,x; 3024,2;

*303i, 3; 305^?

6,

11;

*3o53>'i 3o<^'>x; 3071, x.

This ware

is

red painted,

brown or red ware

and
later

(material b, usually brown), pebble polished.

The

lines

run across the fece from side to side and around the outer side of the rim.

This

plate has

no

direct prototype,
It is as

occurs only in the

earliest

of the stone-roofed graves

types
2"''

of cem. 500

700.
of

seen above one of the most

common
i^'

found, second only

to type v, and one of the

most

characteristic pieces of the

to

dynasty graves, usually

found

in stacks

pans.

The form

occurs also in stone, type S xxvx.

b),

Type XXVII.

Rough

faced, hard red

ware (material

red painted.

f
'^t-

single example occurs, N. 1533, 2.

Type XXVIII. Rough

painted.
2

faced, hard red

ware

(material b), red

1

'^^^^

^^v"-

Two

of these ring stands were found:

prototype
S6.
is

= 1512,47;
made
'^s-

1533, 6.

The

to be found probably in the

offering tables

The

ring stand continued to be

down

to the

New

Empire.

Type xxviii.

Type XXIX.
2

Slightly

baked
*i5i5, X.

mud

ware

= 1616,
i,

(with pot marks

1525,

x;

= 1628,

2;

See Petrie, R. T.

PI. 43,

on inside); 16^6 hs isi where forms occur more

nearly like both the predynastic and the later forms.

See also Petrie's explanation of the

mode

of manufacture by laying

lump

of

mud

in a hole in the
it

ground

^^^

^C^

and trimming
forms
with

by hand.

The

Pred^n^^

^^^

^V-^j

^^
,^,,.,f.
12

^^j;;7

^^^

flat

bottoms were
fc

of course made on the ground.

I

believe that

these were used

186.
(

h-ll
1
:

ti

Type XXIX,

10.

for

baking

bread

/^ - bread )^

The forms marked

the
3

"predynastic" were

found

at

El-Ahaywah
3

in

numbers:

the

forms
at

of

(dynasties)

were found 6

at

Gizeh Wady;
and
is

ed-Der; 6 (dynasty),
18

(dynasties)

were found
at

Naga-

11

(dynasties)
It

12

(dynasty)

were

found

Naga-ed-Der;
of /^-bread)

(dynasty) was found at Der-el-Ballas.

only to be expected that an extremely cheap and

traditional

temporary piece, serving undoubtedly some old

purpose
after

(as a carrier

would continue
*

to be found as

hand-made pot long

the invention
44 and on the
fig.

of the wheel.
of

CC

the form of the /^-bread above the offering tables on the seal cylinders,

PI. 43,

4*11

dynasty stelae

Wep-

em

Nofret, son of Cheops, and others,

where the base of the /^-bread

is

shaped

like 3

in

186.

XI.

Stone Vessels.

99

The forms of
fingers

the u'^ and

i8"

dynasties are finally

however made on the wheel; but the

a

were

still

screwed into the wet base giving nearly the appearance of

hand-made

pot, and in the i8"^ form, the

thumb or

a finger

was thrust through the bottom.

XL

STONE VESSELS.
of the
first

ONE
The

of the most

strildng characteristics

and second dynasties

is

the abundance

AOudanct

and variety of the stone vessels found in the tombs, especially in the stairway
following table gives
a

tombs.""'^"^"^""'

in the less

comparison of the numbers and forms of stone and pottery vessels disturbed tombs of both cemeteries.
type,
it

"""''

may be remembered that A means wood-roof, B means corbel-roof; Abbmia"'"''' I means chamber entered from above, 2 means chamber with entrance on side or end; a means single chamber, b means more than one chamber. Under kinds of stone,
Under tomb
a.
s.

=
=
=

alabaster
slate

m.

bl.

V.
b.
1.

volcanic ash
brecchia

= marble = black y. = yellow

pink

= limestone

The upper
Tomb
N.
1532

part of the table gives the large tombs; the lower part, the small tombs.

Type

Preservation

Number

Vessels

Number Forms
2
12

Kinds of Stone
a. 1

A
A

lb

Anciently

4 stone vesseR
71

forms

V. 2

bl.

1. 1.

plundered

pottery

N.

1512

2b

Anciently

18

stone vessels

forms

a.

s. (5

V.

1.

2.

plundered

40 pottery

7
10
5^

N.

-1,0x6

lb

Undisturbed

20 stone vessels
18

forms

a.

16

S. 3

1. 1.

(small)

pottery

N.

1514

B 2b

Anciently

28 stone vessels
19

8
3

forms

a. II

S. 11

V.

V. b. 2

m.

l.

plundered

pottery

N.

1513

B 2b

Anciently

55

stone vessels

13

forms

a.

41

s.

V. 5

1.

p.

1. 1.

plundered

$6 pottery
33

10

N.

3017

B 2b

Anciendy
plundered

stone vessels

11

forms

a.

20

V. 2

1.

y.

1. 1

1.

29 pottery
18
3

N.

3031

B 2b

Ancient
plundering

stone vessels

9 forms
3

a.

14

S. 1

V.

3.

pottery

fpottery probably thrown out

by plunderers).

100

XI. Stone Vessels.

Tomb
N.
3013

Type

Preservation

Number

Vessels

Number Forms
4 forms
a.

Kinds of Stone
2
V. 2

B lb

Ancient and

$ stone vessels

black stone

1.

modern

(?)

9 pottery

plundering

Small tombs.
-:-i.t..

-r

N.

1647

la

Undisturbed
5

stone vessels

pottery

forms

N.

1525

A A A

la

Undisturbed?

stone vessel
vessels

form
forms
forms

y.

1. 1.

9 pottery

N. 30U

la

Anciently

4 stone

vessels

a.

1. 1

m.

1.

plundered

8 pottery

4
3

N.

3052

la

Anciently

4 stone

vessels

forms

a. 3

s. 1.

plundered

6 pottery
1

2
1

N.

3023

B 2a

Anciently

stone vessel

form
forms forms

including fragment in debris.

plundered

8 pottery vessels
2

N.

3012

2a

Intact

stone vessels

2 2

a.

s.

1.

4 pottery

N.

3053

B 2a

Anciently

7 stone vessels 7
5

4 forms
3

a, <J

s.

1.

plundered

pottery

a.

N.

3015

B 2a

Undisturbed?

stone vessels

4 forms

V.

1.

9 pottery

4
3

N.

3022

2a

Intact

stone vessels

forms

a.

1. 1.

7 pottery

N.

3014

B 2a

Intact
3

stone vessels

pottery

forms
forms
M
a. 3
:

N.

3001

Anciently

5 stone vessels

5
3

1.

2.

plundered

6 pottery

KimJj tf

It

is

unsafe to

draw conclusions from the proportion of pottery and stone

their

vessels

in

small

tombs because

contents

are

naturally

limited

by the limited resources

is

of the

relatives.
It is also

But the great increase in stone vessels in the stairway corbels

certainly significant.

noteworthy

that the proportion

of

alabaster vessels largely increases

from N.

1513

on;

and

it

may be mentioned

in this

connection that the materials of the stone vessels in the

limestone, diorite, and brecchia, of which alabaster
is

third dynasty cemeteries are

alabaster,

the material most frequently used.

XI. Stone Vessels.

lOJ

The
to have
outside.
cleft

stone vessels, with the exception of some

after

dummy

forms of type S

i*

and

iii",

appear

Atuhod

been bored with the stone borer,

being more or

less perfectly

formed on the
a

factun

The borer seems to stick. The stick seems

stick,

have been the usual blunt oblong stone held in the fork of
to have

been turned by
nets,

crank fastened to the upper end,

in the

while the

weighted with stones in

was held
all

other hand.^

Different sized

stones seem to have been used in succession in almost

except type S

I (see fig. 197).

The

dummy
in
all

forms were possibly bored by hand.

a

After being bored the vessels were finished off by rubbing with
cases and in

smooth pebble^ outside

many

cases inside

as

well.

The

depression or ring in the bottom of the In the process, the instrua

bowls seems to have been made separately in

finishing, see p. 108.

ment

used, was in three cases driven

down through
3031,4).

the bottom of

bowl and

a false

bottom

fixed in with

cement

(1512,635 1514,13;

Types of Stone
Type
I a

Vessels.

= x3 2 = 62; 1572, (basalt), 160$, = X; 160$, a (hard black stone) 3 4 = 'A a 5 = z 6 = X. 40 1585, X = a 7 16; 1882, a 8 = a 9 = 15; 3023, = 10 a = 3001, a = 3oid, a = 3oid, a (volcanic ash). ai4 = 3031, = 3031, a ai(J = = 3015, a = 3016, lb b 2 = 3015, = b b 4 = b 5 = ^osz, h 6=
I

1532,

3 ;

157I)

1513, 66,

i;

II

1571,

24

15137

I512, 66

1513, 39.

1513,

l6ii,

1513,

4.

1513, 52.

I5i3>

I.

1513, 59.
8.

II

12
13

2 b.

3-

15

IS-

3011, 10,

17

10.

JOlt-'t

3014-12

I5II-I

i5!l-2

1513-23

\Sa-S5

IS7HJ

4.

187.

Type

la, b,

10.

12.

1581,

I.

1581, 2.

c C

15137 23

9.

= 2 =
I

1513, 56. I5I3, 43. 1513J

1513, 55-

==

63; 3053? 105 307I> 29.

1514, 29;

b 7 ==
1

1571, IS

1572, X.

C 4

1513, 27;

1582,

X;

3015,

I.

See BoRCHARDT A.

Z.

xxxv (1897)

p,

107; Quibell U. Hierakonpolis p.49 lxii

and Green,
rotating
I

1.

c. p.

17 44 (vase grinder's workshop).

virith

QtnBKLL's suggestion that the outside of the stone vessels

is

was formed by

the vessel

sand

in

a hollow made in

hard mud

plausible

but no traces of such

treatment is visible

on any stone vessel

have seen.

102

XI. Stone Vessels.

Type

c 5
c

I5i3 37.
1513. S7.

?^
1571-

'

c 7

1571, X.
=

c 8
c 9

1572, 2.
1523,
1.
I515-54

1513-A3

15t3-U

1515-27

I5IJ-37

1513-57

1572-7

1523-4

CIO
c n C
12

3017, 30
3031, 16.

1571,

>

188.

Type

Ic,

10.

3051,

3.
3051

3012

CIJ CI4 CI5

3012,

4.

5
131

3001,
3053, 3017,

4.
8.

ci6
c
17

ay.
J

r~?
KJ05, 9j 301s,
2.
317-3(l
'^

pT

3017, 21

,.[
3053-J
3417-27

C18
I

3016,

2.

3017-21

36li-2

189.

Type

Ic,

10.

di

1513, 61.

di
d3
=

1513, 60.

3016,

5.

d4 ds

1571, X.

3017, 20.

d6
dy
I e
I
=

3017, 56.
1513-41

1513-tO

'

301fc-5

1571-

3017-20

3017-ii

1525-3

I5i5

3.

190.

Type Id,

10.

30J7> 55.

e 2

3001,
353,
3031, 3031.

3. 9.
2.

63

64 65
e<J

'

3017,29.
=

I7-S

3O0I-J

3053-')

3fl3F2

J031-I

3003-3
f,

3002-'

i?S2-l

l?!!""

3003,

3.
1.

191.

Type

le,

g,

10.

67
I f
1

3002,
1882,

I.

I
1581, X.

= h 2 = 3091,
h
I

1515, 13.
2.

1584, 6 (v.).
7.

h4

= 1584,

UDc^D
192.

Type Ih,

lO.

These
of volcanic

vessels

are

with four exceptions

is

all

of alabaster j but
(a. 3)

1^05,

(a.

2)

is

of black
(h. 3) is

basalt (?), 3001, 9 (a. 14)

of volcanic

ash, 1605, 24

is

of hard black stone,

1584, 6

ash.
all

Almost

of them,

after being

bored, have been smoothed inside and out by rubbing,

jars,

leaving a finely scratched surface.

The poor

7,

are carelessly bored,

some of them

possibly not with a shaft-borer, with thick walls and are not dressed inside.
It
is

noteworthy that the wood-roofed tombs have only the better a -forms and
are in

all

the
in

poor ^- forms

cem. 3000.

The form

is

essentially a

later

form which occurs

XI.
^th

Stone Vessels.

103

(jth

dynasty tombs in cem.

jars,
i

loo.

The

curving lines on

are incised.
3

The group A

is

group of miniature
a

of which
certainly
a

2 is certainly

from

a child's grave,

and 4 are possibly from

child's

grave and
jar is

is

not from

child's grave.

This

connected in

manner not yet

as

quite certain with the

development of the wavyIn the predynastic period

Origiu

handled pot which Petrie used

the basis of his sequence dating.

a

fiype
^''

contemporaneous with the earlier wavy-handled forms,

drical stone jars

series

of comparatively small cylin-

without cord have been found, occurring in a few isolated examples in nearly
193

every cemetery, see Fig.

are

where
5

el

from Naga-ed-Der, 4
(PI. 16, 1,4)

from

Amrah^

and S

i'',

S 4* fi-om
earlier
51*
'93-

Negadah. These stone forms are

then than the forms
PI. 32).

540.

late
53,

wavy-handled pottery

55

see Fig. 194

(Naqadah,

Predynastic stone vessels,

6,

These

late

forms
jar,

55^3 occur in the same graves with the

Fig. 194 (in

fine

white cylindrical
23, 25,

W71 80,

M.

id,

Abydos
is

xl^ in

El-Ahaiwah, A.

45, 88, 120, 155) j

and in general

W71

as early as

W55
jars

61
71

but continues in use longer.

Thus

the cylindrical pottery

80

seem

to be copied

from the

early stone jars

their side

and then
descended
194.

confused perhaps with

55

6z

which were on

Late Predynastic pottery

vessels,

1:12.

from the wavy-handled

begin in the
the
late

pots.

Both of these types

predynastic period earlier than

known examples of
In
there
all

stone cylindrical

jars

with cord.
cemeteries

the

recorded predynastic

are
jars

only three examples of

stone cyhndrical

with cord about the neck

which can by any

to Menes,

possibility be dated previous

1401, basalt jar

Naqadah

1=

(with
late
195.

cord?) recorded by Mr. Price, grave of the

Early dynastic stone vessels,

6.

middle predynastic;

Naqadah

1248, alabaster jar

Si% possibly

slightly

pre-Menic; Naqadah,

'R

100,

alabaster jar S i=, possibly sHghtly pre-Menic.

In view of the doubtful record in the case of

all

Naqada

1401

and the unanimity of the material in

our cemeteries,

it

is

clear that cylindrical

jars with cord were copies of

Wyi

and came

into use about the time

of Menes.

About the time of Menes, we have recorded

and
71

copies in stone of the pottery forms

W55 53
The

Dmeiope-

80, see Fig.

Menes tomb
tombs
at

195,

stone vessels from Hierakonpolis and

Abydos and
first

see Fig. 187 above.

X/"V/
'" *?'

stone copies of W55-53 are rare and have not been found after the

dynasty.

The

stone copies

of W71 with cord occur in

in the
at

Petrie's

Abydos Cemeteries
Fig. 6i^
liii.

M {I Abydos xliixui) and B {II R. T.ui),

654),

<>/'.

Naqadah {II Origines

T. xlvii

and in considerable numbers in the

the most

royal

Abydos, see // R.

They become

second dynasty, see above.

In the third dynasty the type

is still

common form in the numerous. The better forms

8

have the cord; the poorer ones have none.

See Cem. N. 3500, N. 500; Naqadah,

p.

12

El

Amrah

p.

19 tomb a 16 jar

S 4S

late

middle predynastic;

19 tomb a 95 jar

^ (without cord), late middle predynastic.

104
Stairway tombs j el-Kab p.
xxvii stairway tombs.
early fourth
jar is
Lmttr

XI. Stone Vessels.

9, PI. 10, 4548,

stairway and shaft tombs*} pieces in the

PI.
13

Mahasna
stelae

xiii,

xxii,

At Gizeh we have found several dynasty but without cord; see also Medum,
oil.

Cheops mastabas of the

where
this

and our Cheops

represented holding various kinds of

fifth

In the

dynasty, there

is a

slender cylindrical jar bearing the

a transition

name of R'-n-wsr found

probably due to the

^^si.^^ Abydos

[II Aybdos xiv)

and forming

form to the well-known Pepy-jars of the

sixth dynasty.

The

slenderness of the form of most of the

Pepy

jars is

invention of the tube borer.

As

early as the fourth dynasty, evidence has

been found of the

use of a borer consisting of a hollow tube of metal (copper?), see Petrie

Pyramids PL

14.

This tube was bored

a slightly conical

down

into a block of stone

by turning

it,

making

a cylindrical

hole and
off

core both showing fine horizontal striations.

The core was broken

practical

and

the bottom

smoothed by hand.
cylindrical jars

Tubes of narrow diameter were more

became correspondingly
slender.

and

easier to

make and the

The

base was then enlarged

still

to a disc-Uke foot to give the jar stability.

Variations of these Pepy-jars

used

as

carriers

of

oils

and ointments have been found in every 6^

disc-like foot

12'''

dynasty cemetery.

Those forms

which have no

were probably intended

a

for toilet boxes in

which they were

in

kept upright by being placed in

hole in a board, as in the well

known examples

the

museums.

In the

18'^,

however, no recognizable descendant has been found except in foun-

dation deposits; and the function must have been taken over by
possibly
in the

some other stone

vessel,

by the
iS"*,

alabaster

cup with

foot.

The occurrence of
jars
is

cylindrical jars in foundation deposits

inscribed in the
in part copied

manner of the Pepy

from
jars

no doubt due to

tradition.

These

18*

jars

were

found in foundation deposits during the rebuilding of

jars,
it,

older temples, and in part, they were reused older

see Borchardt, A. Z. xxxvii 1899 p.

143.

Thus

the history of this jar as

we

have traced

associated always with the same function

reaches from the early middle predynastic period through the

new

empire.
3.

Type

II
Ill a
I

= =

1513, 35-

Type

III

8
J

1535,2.

jy
1529,
3.

= 3024, _ ^j^^^ =
xo\6.

^^ pieces).

= 3 4 = 35 = = idoy, Ill b b 2 = 3031, b = b4 = 3054, b5 = b5= b7 =

a
3
I
,

15^3, 2j

A7

II.

15I3> S3.

2 == 1572, X.
1562,
I.

30<Jl, i;
I

(rim a separate piece).

3.

3oi(J, 2.
2
;

1533,

I.

1513? 23.
1513, 56.

3oi(J, 6.

= VI = 3015, VII = 2 = = 303I7 4 = 3031,

4
I

i57i 25.

s.

1513, 28.

1513, s8.
I'17.

Garstanc's
basis.

effort in

Third Egyptian Dynasty

the type of tomb,

p. 41

to date the

tombs el-Kab 264

all

etc.

to

the second or third dynasty

has abso-

lutely

no

The

pottery,

the position

of the

burial,

show

at a

glance that Quibell has correctly dated these

tombs

to the I2'l> dynasty.

XI. Stone Vessels.

105

Type VII

= 5 = 30175 7 =
5
I

1514, 27.
38.

1571, 26
7.

(two

pieces).

Type

VIII

== 3013,

= 3031, = 3022, 4 = 3022, 5 = 1882, Type IX = 2 = 1572, Type X = 3150^

2
3
I I

14.

8;
9.
7.

1628,3.

1513, 43.
I.

These forms
varying quality.
especially the
(of.

are

of alabaster of

The most of them,

carelessly

more

made
alaII,

O .o
Jiij^L
I5I3-5S

J03I-II

3MI-I7

l5l^--27,

liQ-n

3013-7

iat-ih

,0? ^^
inn-i
96.
'

3022-<l

l!?2-7

JI50-1

Types II X,

10.

Ilia 5), are

of coarse opaque

baster.

Some of the

better forms,

IIIb2,

VI

i,

and

have

a dull polish;

the rest are smoothed by rubbing, presenting a finely scratched surface.

Most of the pieces

parallel

are bored and

surface;

smoothed

inside, to

surface nearly
a

to

the

outside

but some pieces (Ilia mostly) have

a

straight vertical hole

left

made by boring with

all

single stone (or stick

?)

and

rough.

Apparently

pieces

were begun by hand

in the
(i.

same way.
a

The

smaller jars

were then probably

finished

e.

with

small stone

held in the hand).

The

larger jars appear to have

been bored by sucat

i

cessively larger stones for

which room was

187,

first
it

made by hand
is

the

top of the previous hole (see Fig.

first

where

assumed, hole

was
197.

Stone boring, 1:5.

bored with

stone borer, then the cavity 2 by hand, hole 2 with

'

borer then cavity

'

and hole

3,

cavity

4 and hole
'

4, alternately

by hand, and with the borer

leaving circular ridges inside

which were often rubbed away by hand).

the examples of types u

Type
vi =3oi(5,
dynasty,

II

VII, IX.

Of

all

vii, ix

here recorded, only five can be

iii

previous to the second dynasty,

II.

ui b

= 1^07,

i ;

nibs

= 3016^,2;
B and

b 4

=
at

1533,

1 ;

IV2

= 1525,1:
first

At el-Amrah
bi4o, bss,
all

there are three pieces

which may be

late

first

or early second
(early
li^

b33,

of type m.
jars

In Petrie's cem.

Abydos

dynasty)

only

three

similar

without handles were found, / Abydos xlvu,

278, 283.

The

bottle-shaped

jars,

// Origines Fig. 625

vii, ix.

6^27, 66'],

from the Menes tomb do not represent

a

exactly the

types

In the

tombs subsequent to Menes, however,

123, 124, 281,

number of
329, 330,

examples
333>

occui*, see

// R. T. extra plates, stone vessels nos.

282, 284, 285,

334*

We

get in the predynastic period the same

form
17,

as

type
xi.

but with Imndles, in

both stone and pottery, Naqada

H 25 45
Abydos
b
55.

and

see type
is

The

list

above shows

the frequency of these types in the second dynasty; and

supported by the stone vessels

3

from the tomb of Khasekhemui

b
10)

(/

ix 5

12).

See el-Amrah vu
also

(tomb

54),

(tomb
in

and tombs b

33,

b
I.

145,

b 140,

They occur

in

the

stone

roofed graves

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

106

XI. Stone Vessels.

cem. N. 500 and N. 3500 and

at el

Kab

(p.

6 no.

191

and no. 88 j
587)

PI.

xxvii

loi, 1^6,

166,

170, 178).

They
period,

are

found

in the

stairway tombs at
xi 17

Naga-ed-Dcr (N.
p. 16 to

and other

sites

of the same

see
R
i).

Naqada

25
as

(stated

on

be from Ballas but not mentioned in the

description of tombs),

Mahasna

xxvii 9, 10 (from k 4) and

jar

Reqaqnah

vii, ix 23,

xi 34

R 40
made

and

See also the large

of Kha(?)-sekhem(?)*
xii.

= Besh, Hierakonpolis xxxvii

35 (from
i,

type

11.

Type

IV is the

same in form
all

pottery type

Variations of these forms continued to be

practically in

succeeding periods, but never again in such numbers.

a

Type
earlier

vxu

is

almost

characteristic

second dynasty form.

It

was not found

at

Abydos
N. 4900,
55,

than the tomb of Q^iK'j''-,

it

HR- J". Lie)

N.

and occurs in the tomb of Khasekhemui

vaults

{11 R. T.ix).

In our cemeteries

is

found only in the corbel

roof),
13,

of cem. 3000 and in N.

691.

4573,

N.
b

573 (stairway),

12,

b 70J

el

N. 559 (stone Kab PI. 2 and

519, 537, 543, 617, 691,

See el

Amrah

142,

PI. 10 13,165

Naqada

xi 2633 {i6 alone

is

mentioned in the

description of tombs Q^id2, Q^2(5o and

early stairway.

In the later

Q^75, all stairway tombs)} Reqaqnah vii from R 40 stairway tombs at Mahasna no example of this type was found.^
viii

There

are a

few copies of type

I believe,
is

in pottery,

N.
xvi

4175.

After the stairway tomb period,

type vui has,

never been found.

Besides the piece in Fig. 196,

Type X
a similar

very rare form.

one was found by Mace

in cem. 3500.

Naqada

165

presents

form marked Egyptian, but apparently not mentioned in

(i.

the text

e.

not to be dated from the published

a

material).

This

type

is

no doubt

copy of the

similar pottery type xi

38 a,

which has

three possible prototypes,

Naqada B
show

4(Jc,

37,

see Fig. 198.

The
VI

early dynastic pottery forms in Fig. 198, taken

VII

from I Abydos

and

and I R.

T. xlii,

the relations to these prototypes.

The
fifth

pottery type developed into the well luiown forms

of the
198.

U
1
:

IRTx'un

WV1I

to sixth dynasty and was again copied in stone and in bronze

Pottery prototypes of S type X,

12.

in that period.

Type
n

XI
XII
XIII

= 3025, = 3013, =

(alabaster).

15

(black stone).

1571, 23

(volcanic ash, in

two

pieces with strips of slate fastened

on with pink cement.

together so
types
xii

Corresponding marks were made on

^
199-

the edges of the upper and lower halves, after they had been
fitted
as

Types xixra,

to preserve the relation until cemented.

xiii

Of

these three

jars,

and
is

are

fancy forms probably used for ointment or

a

cosmetic

Type

xii

has handles and

decorated with

cord pattern, cf // R. T. vi
viii 4255.

27

(Dr).
6

Type

XI is a regular predynastic type, cf.

Naqada,

See / Abydos xlv

(tomb

16)

and xxvii (four pieces from the Osiris temenos).

Type XIV
ff

XV
,

= =

1571, 27

(soft black stone) (cf pot. type xxi a 0-

1571, 26

(vole, ash), 25 (black limestone).

Mace

suggests the readmg

fi^

and the
*

identification

with the Zoser-teti of the

5
is

lists.

Mahasna xxvir

not identical with type

vm.

XI. Stone Vessels.

J07

Type

XV

Type XVI Type

= 1513,32 = 3017, 4 = X =
2
3
I513,
is

(alabaster) (cf. pottery

(calc.

type XXIC4).

41

alabaster).

1513, 30

(white limestone).
(vole. ash).

m\nr^)(y'hw^f\^^
200.

m^

Types XIV-XVI,

10.

XIV

rare

and was probably copied from the more numerous pottery vases of the

same form, type xxiai.

I Abydos xxvii, 2^

The

only other example

known
first

to

me

is

from the Osiris temenos,

The

pottery type occurs in both

in

and second dynasty.

cases the

Type XV
see
also

is

bowl with rim which shows

some

beginning of recurvature.

type S xxii^^ with spout hole.

The same forms occur

in pottery see type XXIC4,

first

But neither pottery nor stone forms are recorded previous to the

dynasty.
vii 26,

The
in

earliest

recorded examples are those in the tomb of lVd)-mw (Den) see I

el

and

91

at

Amrah, see

el

Amrah
36

xvi.

But the same forms in ivory with

cord pattern in the hollow

of the rim, were found in the tombs of

xxxvi
side
43,

Dr

(Zer) and

Dt

(Zet), see 11

R.

7".

vs, xxxiv86,

91,

xxxviii

and / R.

T.

xxxvi

6.

This type seems to be the prototype on the one

in our third dynasty cemetery

of the small rimmed bowl so

p. 8

common

N. 500

(see el

Kab,
stair-

44,

stairway 8j Reqaqnah, vii

small

40, stairway;
vii

Mahasna,

xxiv,

way; and the

tombs

el

Amrah,

10;
it

Naqada, B
is

172;

K 5, xxvn 14, K3 No. 88, el- Kab p.

(J,

p. ^,

No.

1(5(5,

and

PI. 27);

and on the other

side,

the prototype

of the stone bowls with

recurved rims which are almost characteristic of the third and fourth dynasties and were copied
in the characteristic pottery forms of that period.
all

The

small

bowl with recurved rim occurs

through the fourth to sixth dynasties.

Type

XVI

is

really a doubtful fragment.

No

bowls with recurved rims were found

at

Naga-ed-Der previous

to the stairway tombs, except accidental fragments of this sort.

(alabaster).

Type XVII

a 3
a a

= 2 = = 4 =
i

1512, 15

1512, 24 (slate); 1571, 13 (a.); 1514, 3 (v.).

XVII

39 =
a 10
II

1513, 65 1513, 34

(a.). (a.)-

1514,

(v.);
(v.),
(a.).

1513, 26

(si.,

ring).

1514, 18
1513, 21

=
=
=

1512, 40 1571, II

(a.).

37 =
a

(v.).
(3.);

XVII b
b b
b

b b

b b
'

= = 2 = = 4 = 5 = 5= 7 = 8 =
8
I

1514, 9
1532, 2
1512, 42

3017, 23

(3.).

(1st. bl.

with w.
(a.)

veins).

(v.);

1514, IS

1571,

30 (v.); 1514, 14 (a);

3031, 4 (a.)
(a.).

1514, 20 (v.),
1515,
1

3017, 26 (a.); 3031, 30

(3.).

= = a = a = a a 14 = = 1572, a XVII b 9 = b 10 = = 301^, b = b = b

1532,

(v.).

12
13

1512, 41

(w.
(a.).

1st.).

1514, 6 1514, 2
22

(v.).
(a).

15

1514, 21
1513, 47

(v.).
(v.).
(si.)(si.)-

11

12
13

1512, 39 1512, 24,

(v.);

1571,

38 (v.,

1532, 4
1512, 26

(v.).
(1st.)

dep.), 1514, 26

(a.),

14

1571, 6

(a);

1571,

SI

(a.,

1514, 8

(v.).

very
no relation
to this type.

thin).

The form Mahasna

xiv, 2$ has probably

The same form occurs N. 624.

108

XI. Stone Vessels.

Type XVII

15

i57i>

(v.)}
(a.)}
(a.).

1514, 19

(a.);

1514, 22

(m. veined).

1514, js

151+ 6

(a.)}

1513, 46 (v.)

17

iSih

SI

23

1515.
1513, 44

(a.)j

1572, 8 (v.).
I5i3>

bi8
b
19

3031, 18

(a.).

b24
b

(v.)i

(v.,

ring);

3017, 34 (v.).
1571,

3011, 12

(m.).
(a.).

b2o

31

(s.)i

i57h
IS

(s.)i

25

3oi(J, 6

1571, a

(s.)j

3015,

(s.).

b 26

3017, 37
1523.

(a.,

thin).
br.).

bzi
hii
(T Q

1514,23

(v.).
a.).

XVII

(r.

and w.

3015, 7 (calc.

c 2

1882, 8 (a.)

z^^^=?^;^:<'^^^v^
^2^
I^N

^fwii

201.

Type XVII,

lO.

These have

all

been smoothed by rubbing which removed the boring marks and

left a

finely scratched surface inside

and

out.

The
a

circular depression

and the ring in the bottom

In cases
as

do not seem to have been made

b
I

in boring but as part

of the

finishing process.

like

the ring
(?)

is

an incised

line

made by
shaft,

revolving point or pair of points, such

a

the metal-

shod

tips

of the forked boring

or by the lower edge of

(1512, 63;

metal tube.

In some cases,
a false

this ring has

been bored

straight

through the bottom

1514,13; 3031,4)

and

bottom

set in afterwards.

The

circular depression, like a 7

and

a 9,

with

ring and rubbing

its

away
sides,

the elevated central part.

may have been made by starting Type a is distinguished from type b

which
is

by the straightness of
in section

and type

c is

distinguished by the shape of the rim

merely
a

slight swelling

of the wall of the bowl.

c.

numbers have

rim approaching that of

dyn.).

Type

is

the

The forms of b with most common form in

the higher

cem. 3500,

500700

(i.

e.

3'"<*

XI. Stone Vessels.

109

The bowls
.

type xvii

a,

b and type xviii are,

believe, characteristic

of the

dynasties, .^
a

occurring neither in the predynastic nor in the third dynasty.

.

We
Nor
is

have never found

bowl
Kab

*""'
predynastic
awrf/ro/*-

With

thick rim in any of our four predynastic cemeteries.

at

there a single example

el

recorded in the description of the predynastic graves

or Hierakonpolis.

Nagada, Diospolis,

Amrah,

el

^""wi"

None

are recorded

from the Menes tomb nor from the tomb of Dt

first

(Zet).
T.

But they are found in the other royal tombs of the

XLvi

and second dynasties, see // R.

xii

Liii.

The

third dynasty forms are xviib 18-26, c

and xviini-13, see Mahasna

xiii.

These bowls probably performed the function of the predynastic broad pottery bowls.

Type XVIII

==

1512, 12

(s.)j

1514, 4 (s.)
1535,
1

= (V.)} = 64 X 4 = 5 = 6 = 3001, 7 = 8 = 9 = 10 = = 12 = 1572, X = 3017,

2
3

i57i> 4
1512,

(s.)j

1513, 20 (s.);

i5o5, 14

(s.)j

3031, 31
1513,

(a.).

(s.),

S7 (s.), 63 (s.), 20 (a.), 48 (a.)}

1571, 2

(s.)j

(PI.

47

left

of

21)

(a.)

1571,

(s.).

1512,

(s.),

56 (s.);

1572,

(v.),

17 (v.),

(v.);

3053,

(s.).

(1.

a.).

1513, i8

(s.);

3017, 64

(a.

thin)} 3052,

(s.

thin).

15157 2

(v.).

157I/ 12 (a)j 1512, 35

i57i>

X
I

(a.)j
(S.);

3017, 24

(a).

(S.)j

1514,

1513, 12 (s.),

13 (S.),

X(S.); 3051,4
(a.).

(S.).

11

1512, 13 (s.),

14 (s.),

34 (s.);

307i> 4 (a.)} !,o\6, 18

(s.).

13

29 (a.);

3071, 4

(a.).

203.

Type XIX,

10.

202.

Type

XVIII,

10.

Type XIX

= 3017,
//

22

(red

and white brecchia).

Fig. 6\6-^
etc.

Cf. // Origines

I Abydos, PL

44,

tomb M.

17;

Pi. 47,

tomb M.

19;

R.

T.

PL 47
(v.). (v.).

A.,

See below type xx.

c 4
c

Type

XX

a a

XX XX

b
c

C c

= 2 = = = 2 = =
I

1513, 38

3031, 8 3013,
2.

(J

1513, 41

(white
(v.).

L).

XX

d
d

I581,

1513, s

(v.).

= x (PL 45, right of 5) 5 = = x = (white 2 = 3071, = 3017,

1513,

(v.).

1514, 7
1571,

(a.).

(a.).

1513, 29
7

L).

(I.)-

62

(a).

no
Type

XI. Stone Vessels.

XX

d 4

d d
d

<J

= 3017, 5 = 3013, = 7 = 3150,

as
10

(a).

(a.

thin).

a\^,

J^_A3,J|\_74

I513, S4
3

(v.).

^\^^j\^

(soft fine-grained

black stone).

= 156Z, d 9 = 3031, dio = 3017, 60 d n = 15^2, d 12 = 1514, 24 = d 43 di4 = i882,2 = 1882, d

8
5

G-).
(a.). (a.). (a.).
(a.).
(I-)-

13

13

1513,

'
204.

(I.),

Type XX,

lO.

15

(a.).

Cf. the pottery forms type xxiv= "=.

The
without

earliest

forms of stone bowls, those occuring in the predynastic period, are small

thin lipped bowls not essentially different in

lips

form to types xx,

first

xxiii

and xxiv.

These bowls

become
xlv

larger
j

and very numerous in the

dynasty, see // Origines Fig. 573

^24

and // R.

T.

mi

and continue

in general use until stone vessels

were displaced by wheelxx were very

made

pottery.

After that they are rare.

The

cup-like forms with straight sides

frequent in the third dynasty, see

Mahasna

xiv 2123,
are traceable to pre-

These stone forms resemble the pottery forms type xxiva c, which

dynastic types, and both stone and pottery forms were probably used for the same purpose.

Type XXI

= 2 = = i5o5,
i

1513, 22

(v.).
(a.).
(s.).

1513, 42

V
*=<

y.5.5

22

Type

XXI

is

the same as xx

except that

it is

oval in form.
11-24.

Oval pottery pans occur in the predynastic period, Naqada F

Type XXII a

= 3012, 2 = 3015, XXIIb =

i

/
^

^t

(s.)

with spout hole.

12

3"<i=

22"
i

1513, 25 (p. l.)5

3017,41 (y.

1.)

2
3

= 3oid, = 24
1571,

(with shorter spout)

(1.).

205.

Type XXI,

lO.

with open spout.

14

(v.).
YB-IZ

Bowls with open spouts do not occur before the second

dynasty
at

|w||p[ ?wy^^\jr^
206.

o
i
:

Abydos or Naqada (except perhaps I A

not frequent even then.
Similar

xlvii

M. 24

e).

Type xxii,

10.

They
oil,

are

bowls with

open

spouts occur later but with longer spouts.

In none of the above examples was any trace of

wick or burning found to indicate

their use as lamps.

See pottery type

xxii, xxiii.

Type XXIII

= x i = ^^S^^'
i

1571,

(v.).
(a.).

XI. Stone Vessels.

Type

Type

Type

XXm3 = 1513,9 4 = 3053, 5 = 3017, 6 = 3052, X 34 with white spots) 7 = 8 = X (PI. 47a under 32) XXIV = n 2 = 1882, 5 = H = i5H> 6 = 3017, 60 4 = 7 = I5i33' XXV = 20 2 = I514, 7 = 1572, X = i5i4> 8 = 1572, X 4 = i57i5 X so 9 = X (PL 47^ beside 9) 10 = 3017, 5 = 3031, 6=
(1.).

(a.)

35
7

(a.).

(a.).

1571J

(bl.

1.

1513,

(a.).

207.

Type

XXm,

lo.

1513,

(a.).

(a.).

1513^

(a.).

'

1515-Jl

17 (a.).
(a.).

(a.).

I5i3> 45

(a.).

'SIJHI

"
208.

'

IIH-3

1514-17
i
:

Type XXIV,

lO.

1512,

(a.).

II

(v.)

26 (a.).
21
(a.). (a.).

12
13

== 3001,

(1.).

12

(s.)-

(s.).

1571,

1513,

(p.l.).

32

(a.).

i(J'o5,

2s

(1.).

II

12 a (v.),

= 3053, 14 = 3017, = 3017? 16 = 3017,

15

6 (a.). 33
(1.).

54 (v.). 47 (a.).

Cf. pottery type xxv.

Numerous examples of

types S xxiii xxv occur at Abydos, see

II R. T. 4d

52

and

/.

A. 42

47.

209.

Type XXV,

10.

Type XXVI a
3 a

= 2 = =
i

1514, 10

(s.).

I5I4, 13 (S.). 15145 16 (s.)i

1571, 9
(s.).

(s.)i

3017, 49,6s

= 3031, 5 = 3017.

(S.).

4'

(a.).

= 3017,31 a 7 = 3017, a 8 = 3017, 39 = 3oid, XXVI b = 3053,5 20 XXVI c =

XXVI a
5
63
25
6
1 X

(s.).

(1.).

(1.).

(a.).

(a.).
(s.).

3oi(5,

210.

Type XXVI,

10.

Cf. pottery forms type xxvi.

These

plates

a do not occur

in

any of the M-tombs

at

Abydos
in

(see /

Abydos,

PI.

42

47)

nor in any of our wood-roofed tombs.

at

But they do occur

o, b, z, y^

the

wood-roofed royal tombs

T, u, 0,5

Abydos
PL

(see

// R. T.,

PL

51 f,

tombs
z).

PL

51,

tombs

PL 49^, tombs

u, q_, y, p;

51^,

tomb

y;

PL

51*^,

tomb

J2

XII. Flint Implements.

XII.

FLINT IMPLEMENTS.
are roughly chipped.

i>igintrm-

ALL

the

flints

found in our two cemeteries

t^ti^g,

l\

clumsy impractical blades

usage, are
It

probably purely
work; and
all

ceremonial in

The large knives are very usage. The small flints, of unwhat
is

known

in part better

of them have keener cutting edges than the

or,

large knives.

may be

that they are a cheap

form of knife;
in

more probable, they

like circumcision.*

tjfe

may have served a perfectly practical purpose L N. 1581, 1, PI. 40 , late first dynasty.
N.
1585,3, PI. 40'',

some

traditional

ceremony

second dynasty (broken, small piece missing near handle).

Curved
derived from

blades with bulging tip and handle, rough chipped

on both
below,
flint

sides.

Apparently
a

the broad knife of the predynastic period,

knife.

cf.

II

or from

copy

in

copper (no example known) of the broad

with
a slight variation

This handled

knife continued in use

in

form
cf.

certainly

through the twelfth dynasty.

Pi. 20,30

See el-Kab
16

p. 8,

stair-

way tomb

225 (third dyn.);

Denderah

(sixth dyn.), lllahun PI. 7,

(twelfth dyn.);

bronze blades Kahun

Pi. 17, 1821.

Other dated examples

from the very
This

are recorded:

/ Abydos xiv

xv

where

a series

is

given extending

early first dynasty (cem. B) to the

end of the second dynasty.

See also

stela 24.

series is interesting in that the

forms subsequent to
tip.

Wdj-mw

(Den) have almost no curve

on

the back and have a less bulging

The forms found

10,

in the

tomb of Khasekhemui

are

practically the

same

as these

of the sixth and twelfth dynasties

just noted.

The two forms

found This

in
fact

our cemeteries resemble those found in tomb B

is

Dt, Mryt-neit, and

as

Wdj-mw

(Den).
a

especially interesting

for the

spread of forms,

our tombs are

about half

dynasty later than the Abydos tombs in which the same forms were found.
Type
II.
.

N.

1514, 48,

PI.

40 % second dynasty.
tip,

Curved blade with bulging

the

like

above but without handle. Apparently derived from

broad knife of the predynastic period.

see // Origines Fig. 769

The

earliest

dated examples were found in the

perfect

Menes tomb,
of 30

and pp. 160

flint

1(34

(six

examples and fragments

i

35 others).

See also

stela 27.

This

knife continued in use alongside type

(i.

above

with nearly the same variations in form and for the same length of time
the twelfth dynasty).

e.

certainly through
at
is

See the interesting examples found by Petrie in the Osiris temenos

Abydos, / Abydos PL \6

19

see

Dendereh PL

32

Kahun

xvi

lllahun vn,

7,

xiu,

6.

This

the knife represented with a cord(?)-handle in the manufacture of

flints.

III Beni

Hassan

p. 34, 35.

The
/ Abydos
Typ

dated examples of the

xvii, ^^

first

dynasty besides the Menes

(cem.

Icnives
:

mentioned above

are:

(cem.

M.

13)

and

28

M.

14),

xiv various fragments

probably also Hiera-

konpolis XXV (from the main deposit) and lx, i-s.

III.

N. N.

1581,

7 pieces,

PL 40

>,

late first dynasty.

3551,

one piece, PL

40'',

second dynasty.
at

Small

flint

chips usually
is flat

more pointed

one end than the other and worked on the blunt

end.
'

One
The

side

or slightly concave.
by Lythgoe
in

These

chips

may be descendants of
all

the tailed

well preserved male bodies found

our predynastic cem. 7000

showed

circumcision.

XII, Flint Implements.

113

scrapers so

common
flakes
33-

in predynastic times;

or they

common
qadah

flint

which show marks of usage,

earliest
164.

may have served the same purpose as the see Balfour in El Amrah 44 See Na45.

lxxi,

The

dated examples were in the

Menes tomb,

see // Origines, Fig. 771

to 774 and pp. \6o

Petrie
el

/ Abydos xiv
13,

xv

gives a series running through the

first

two

dynasties.

See also

Kab

p.

PI. 2,2

(third dynasty):
5147.

Medum

xxix,

23

(fourth dynasty.)

our third dynasty cemetery, N.

We

have also

Mace found one in found two examples in the Cheops

;

cemetery
Type
IV.

at

Gizeh (not yet pubUshed). See further Kahun xvi (twelfth dynasty)
12

lllahun vu,6, u.

N.

1581, 9,

pieces, PI.

40 ^,

late first

dynasty.
flint

N.
N.

1538,

1,

PI.

40^,

late first

dynasty, with 5

nodules.

1515, 12,

Pi. 40'',

second dynasty. 40
'',

N'

ISSh

pieces. Pi.

second dynasty.
either
also

Small

flint

chips with

worked ends
These may

rounded or square.
flakes

In

general

the square

ended chips seem to be

above, under
III.

later.

be related to the

and scrapers mentioned

Fig. 770

The

earliest

dated examples were in the

Petrie's series

Menes tomb, // Origines

and pp. 160

164 (with rounded ends).

first

from the royal tombs, / Abydos xiv

a

xv,

shows the

square ended pieces in the

Flat
6,

tomb of Dt and
Naga-ed-Der

preponderance of that type

in the

second dynasty.

ended

flints
2
;

were

also

found by Mace in our third dynasty cemetery,

11,

N. 4370
and
p.

N.

4139,

N.

2939,

N.

4771 (see

PI. 45).

See

Naqadah
1201,22;

p. 5

QJ07
2500.

6 (^522, both stairway tombs of the

third dynastyS

and

p. \6

Q^i
1225;

(fourth dynasty?).
1233;

At Gizeh we have found

See also
Type
V.

several pieces in the

26

Cheops cemetery, G.

Medum
PL 40
1',

xxix
late

(fourth dynasty).

N.

1529,

second dynasty.
like a

Flint chip with

one serrated edge

(third dynasty).
vii, 27).

sickle flint.

Three
periods.

sickle flints

were

also

found
(cf.

by Mace

in

N.

5147
;

They occur

in

all

See Hieroglyphs, p. 48

Kahun

ix, 22,

xvi

lllahun

211.

Protodynastic

flints

from other

sites.

number of other pieces are mentioned Naqadah,

I.

PI. 75, 9698,

but not mentioned

in

the text.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

IS

JJ4
OMr

XIII.

Copper Implements and Ornaments.

flints

These
were found
a)

are

all

the forms of
first

found in our two cemeteries

but

number of other
several

^iH!^ forms dated to the

''^'
at

two

dynasties

were found by
also

Petrie

at

Abydos and

forms

Hierakonpolis which
vi

may

be of

this date
(4:3).

Arrow-heads, II R. T.

(DrJ 515,

Fig. 211,1-3
(2
=

b)
c)

Animal forms, I Abydos xiv (Dr)

Fig. 211,4

7),

cf.

xxvi, 292-294.
211, 5 (2
:

Pointed forms with double notch at the handle end, I Abydos xiv {Dr) Fig.

7).

d) Scrapers, etc.,
e)

/ Abydos xiv

xv

(Menes-Khasekhemui), Fig.

211,

6,

7 (2

7).

Big knives similar in form to the predynastic broad Imives {Naqadah lxxiv,
the curving knives

86)

and

{Naqadah

lxxiv,

84),

Hierakonpolis xxv, Fig.

211,

8,

3-5).

XIII.

COPPER IMPLEMENTS AND ORNAMENTS.

objects found was small

r
set

^he

number of copper

when we

consider that this was the period

when copper must have

very
late times.

played

its

greatest role in Egyptian history.

But on the other

hand copper and bronze objects have never been found in great numbers in Egyptian tombs
Vmim #/ until

Like gold ornaments, they were either too valuable to be placed in the
in an unusual degree the attention of plunderers.
basis for the later

tombs or they have attracted

This value

on copper

objects

was no doubt the

vases, tables,

custom of putting in the graves

objects.^

models in copper of copper

and weapons instead of the actual

1.

Implements and Weapons.

in our cemeteries

Praciuai

Thc coppcr implements found

and

and indeed in

all

other

first

dynasty

"*^

^'cemeteries, are strong

practical often

showing marks of usage.

Xjf L

N.

1513, 1,
(?)

PI. 40*=

below.

Adze

with the broad edge sharpened.

The

shape reminds us of the long stone ax

desert near Keft (Coptos) and
still

heads found by us in the predynastic

camp on the

more

of the so-called

flint

hoes.

The known examples

39,

are:
flints,

Naqada,
Naqada,
Hierakonpolis

p. 20
1.

tomb tomb

late

middle predynastic grave, plundered, with two

jars.

c.

PI. 74, 84

and wavy handled

p. 22

400, very late predynastic grave, plundered, with pottery

L
II, p.

50,

88,
6'^,

and

W 7180.
is

33,

x6

two copper
the

chisels

and an adze blade were found in an archaic

tomb but
Origines
II, p. 251,
first

tomb
835,

not described and cannot, therefore be dated.

Fig. 833,

83^,

from Amelineau's work

at

Abydos probably from

or second dynasty.
77,

// R. T. xLv,
'

Khasekhemui, second dynasty, more slender than our example.

in the

Modeb

of copper implements cut out of thin sheets of copper appear to come into use
in

second dynasty,
(late

UK.

7".

p.

28 (Kha-

sekhemui).

number were found by Mace

PI. 6,
;

our cemetery 3500, IT Naga-ed-Der N. 4376, N. 4506, N. 4517

(third

second and third dynasties).

1309,

See Rtqaqnah

model vases and knives

Denderah 7
PI.

dynasty);
;

also

tl-Kab XVIII

56 65 (Sneferu-period)
;

Gueh

copper ewer and

;

basin (6fth dynasty)

22 (sixth dynasty)

our tomb N. 3739 (sixth dynasty)

Diospolis PI. 25 vases

1.

(sixth dynasty)

Mack
1.

tl-Amrah and Abydos,

p.

p. 86, PI. 38, copper

models of wooden and woven utensils

PI.

(xviii'h Dyn.);

c.

p. 86, PI. 40, bag, (xviii>l>Dyn.);

c
tl.

89

PI.

46 adze {xnii'l' Dyn.);

Thcban Ttmples,

xvi and xviii tools,

foundation deposits of Tausert and Siptah (end xix'^Dyn.);

Amrah and

Abydos, p. 88, PI. 45 axe, hoes, chisels (xx't> Dyn.).

XIII.

Copper Implements and Ornaments.

third dynasty,
2,

J J

Mahasna,

xvi,

3,

from

1,

Mahasna,
el-Kab,
Type
II.

xxiii, 20, xviii, 61,

from

third dynasty,
fr)urth dynasty.

from Ka-mena,
right.

N,

1513,2'',
(?),

PI,

40= above on the

Adze

narrow, with round butt.

The
late

recorded examples are:

predynastic grave, plundered.

Diospolis, p, 35,

U 74,
from

probably a

II R.

T., VI, 23,

l,

O
13,

23,

a first

dynasty grave in the

Dr

(Zer) cemetery.

/ Abydos,

from

M
7,

first

dynasty.

// R. T.J xLv, 7880, Khasekhemui, second dynasty.

Mahasna,

xvi,

s,

6,

10,

n,

19, 25,

29

and

xxiii, 33,

from

and

2,

third dynasty.

el-Kab, xvi 11,

64,

from Ka-mena, fourth dynasty.

from Ra-hotep, fourth dynasty.

Medum,

xxix, u,

This adze continued in use

down

to the twelfth dynasty with a slight change of form,

and was found among the model tools

Type
III,

in the foundation deposit

of Thothmes

in,

Abydos

lxi.

N.

1513,2^, PI,

40^ above on the

left.

Axe head
cases

for battle-axe.

Appears to be

later

form than

above

if

the

two Naqada
dynasty

can be relied on.

Diospolis, p. 16

tomb

U
13,

74,

not dateable from the description, probably

Rather longer than N.
1513,2*.

first

or late predynastic, plundered.

/ Abydos, L tomb

early first dynasty.

See also the representations on the ivory tablets of

Den and Mersekha

I R.T.,
// R.

XV,

16

IVdJ-mzv

= Den),
K

xvii, 26

(6wr-,/

= Mersekha).

T., XLV, 76,

Khasekhemui, second dynasty.

// Origines, Fig.

830, 839, 840,

from Abydos.
2; xvi,
21, 22

Mahasna,
el-Kab,

xxiii, 25, 26, xviii, 60,

from

(models?), third dynasty.

from Ka-mena, fourth dynasty.

14,

Medum,

frontispiece

x, xiii representations in

colored

relief.

The
Type
IV.

later

forms are nearly semicircular.

This axe head continued to be used with

slight

variations until the

new kingdom.
3015, 21.

N. N.

1513,3,

PI.

40= on the right middle.

3015,

19.

N.

Copper

chiseF.

The recorded examples

tomb
tomb
flint

are

Naqada,

p. 27
a

807, late predynastic grave, plundered,

with decorated pot (D

67^=),

rough

slate pallette
1233,

and another copper blade,

predynastic grave
63)

Naqada,

p. 27

late

with rough

flint

Icnife

(lxxiv,

81),

rough
Diospolis, p. 16

lance (lxxiii,

and

late

pots (L 40).

tomb

74, late predynastic or early first dynasty.

Hierakonpolis, p. %6, two chisels and

on adze were found

xxxviii, 94

in an archaic tomb, not described.

II R.

T.,

VI,
all

18,

25, 26,

from 0.

31;

from cem.

W.

xli, 9093

tomb of Den;

first

dynasty.
numbered below 162 but are not mentioned
p. $.
in

Naqada, lxv,

9, lo,

13, 14, 15

are

the description of tomb 162 on p. 25, nor in the

description of stairway

(?)

tomb 162 on

11^
//

XIII.

Copper Implements and Ornaments.

R.

T.J XLV, 6575

16,

(models) from
18,

tomb of Khasekhemui, second

dynasty.

Mahastia, xvi,

17,

1331

xxn, 134, from

and

2,

third dynasty.

El-Kab,

xviii, 5658,

from Ka-mena's tomb, fourth dynasty.

The same
Dmtffiki
t^ptr

chisel occurs

with variations through the

new kingdom.
in the late

number of other copper implements and weapons have been found

at

pre-

dynastic and early dynastic period which complete the evidence that copper implements were

"^^^^^introduced
the
first

the end of the middle predynastic period and reached their

dynasties.

full

developement in

two

The recorded
tomb

pieces in the predynastic period are alone of impor-

tance for our present purpose and are:

Naqada,

p. zz

835, a grave

not

earlier that late

middle predynastic,

copper

dagger^ copy of

a flint form.
late

Naqada,
Naqada,
el

p. 23

tomb B

^<),

middle predynastic,

copper harpoon, copy of the

earlier
p. 27

bone form.
807, late predynastic,

tomb
tomb

a broad oval blade. a copper dagger, copy of

a

Amrah, Amrah,

p. 20
flint

131,

late

middle predynastic,
51, 56).

form {Naqada,

lxxii,

el

p. 23

tomb b

230, late

middle predynastic,

a copper dagger.

Small implements.
Diospolis, p. 34
51

cem.

C, a

copper pin, these graves

may be merely poor

graves

of the middle predynastic period.

el

Amrah,
Naqada,

p. 18

tomb

139

a copper pin, middle predynastic. a copper pin, middle predynastic. a copper pin, middle predynastic.
late

p. 28 p. 29 p. 24 p. 21
p. 18

tomb
tomb tomb

1485,
1821,
3,

Naqada, Naqada,
el el el

copper needles,
6$,
117,

middle predynastic.

Amrah, Amrah, Amrah,

Naqada,

tomb tomb b
tomb

a copper a copper

needle, late middle predynastic.

needle, late middle predynastic.
at

tomb b

p. 21 p. 21

189, a small

implement curved
(?)

one end,

late

middle predynastic.
(?)

218,

copper piercer

double

burial,

plundered, late

middle

(?)

predynastic.
el
el

Amrah, Amrah,

p. 21

tomb b

235,

a cylindrical piece of copper, of copper tweezers

late

middle predynastic.

p. 23

tomb
2.

104, a pair

late (?) predynastic.

Ornaments and other

objects recorded

objects.

For

list

of copper ornaments found in N. 1500 and N. 3000, see below chapter on beads,

bracelets etc.

The copper
p. 21

from predynastic

sites are

as follows:

El-Amrah,

p. 16 a 58, pieces

of thin folded copper, early predynastic period.

Naqada,
Naqada,

tomb
burial

218,
is

copper

band (from end of

a staff?),

double burial plundered,

one

middle predynastic.
small twisted piece

p. 24

tomb

22,

of copper

like

model horn (cover for

wooden

spear point?) from a double burial, one of which was plundered,

middle predynastic.

XIV. Beads, Bracelets, Toilet Dishes,

etc.

|J7

el-Amrah,

p, 18
p. 21

28,

copper finger ring, middle predynastic.

three copper wire bracelets, late middle predynastic.

el-Amrah,
el-Amrah,

b b

d2,
210,

p. 21

copper bracelet,
378,

late

middle predynastic.
late

Diospolis, p. 34

tomb B

copper bracelet on wrist,

late

predynastic.

Naqada,
el-Amrah,
el-Amrah,

p. 27

tomb

1248,
57,
51,

copper bracelet, very

predynastic.
late

Diospolis, p. 32
p. p.

tomb B

copper wire bracelets, very

to^/^r ring, very

predynastic.

54 tomb i(J tomb

late predynastic.

a 67,

two copper rings and

two
thin aval sheets

small chain,

late predynastic.'

Naqada,

p. 28

tomb

1480,

of copper punctured in

lines (cf. gold

capsule in

N.

1532

above), date uncertain possibly late predynastic.

3.

Summary.
latter part

This material shows that during the

of the middle predynastic period,

we

have

FUnt

with certainty copper daggers, spear heads, harpoons, pins, needles, wire bracelets and rings. ^Jj/S In the late predynastic period, a number of copper implements have come into use, chisels,*^ '"'^^"''
adzes, axes, tweezers, etc.; and flint daggers, loiives

and lance-heads and bone harpoons have

a

apparently disappeared.

In the

first

dynasty, the Egyptians are in possession of

full

equip-

ment of copper weapons, implements and ornaments and forms of the old flint weapons and implements.

retain only degenerated ceremonial

XIV.

BEADS, BRACELETS, TOILET DISHES,

in

etc.

AHst
1.

of beads and other ornaments found

the

two cemeteries

is

given below.

The
characu.
rtsttc

only points which need be noted especially

are:

The copper
strips

bracelets

and

rings

and the gold bracelets and rings are thin hammered

bracelets

which seem to have overlaid wood or cement while the predynastic metal

ornaments.

are usually
2.

hammered

wire.

Flint, slate

and other stone bracelets are

new and

characteristic

of

this period.

They
in the
drill

imitate in
3.

form the older bone and ivory

bracelets,

which
far

still

occur.

Long
in the

cylindrical or barrel-shaped beads

of stone are

more numerous than

a

predynastic periods.

These long beads were probably bored by

as

metal (copper)

same manner

the stone cylinders.^

The

slender tube beads, or cylindrical

beads, both long and short and especially

the strings of alternating black and white

beads are characteristic of the protodynastic period.^

Maclver dates

this

tomb previous

to S. D. 41,

solely

believe

on type of

burial.

But graves of

his class

are found as late

as the third djTiasty.

^

See Petrie

in

Naqada^
for

p.

44 65,

for explanation of the

manner

in

which the outside of these beads

viras

polished.

See

Hie-

rakonpclis, p. 12 31
'

bead factory found by Green.

in

Tube beads are represented

a picture

in

Diospolis

loi showing the contents of a tomb of the middle predynastic.

girl in

In the
burials

text p. 33 ttjey said to be camelian beads

found on the arm of a

a "plundered out" tomb.

There were possibly several

PI. 7

and these beads do not necessarily belong

early dynastic beads.

to the other objects found here.

The

beads,

el

Amrah,

tomb a 96 are thicker then the

J J

XIV. Beads, Bracelets, Toilet

dishes, etc.

List of beads and other ornaments.

Cylindrical beads* (tube beads) both short and long:
1.

Black steatite and white stone beads

cylinder; 160} in debris;
1531 p

N.

1532

with the gold

1513,

find; 1501,

with

seal
2

at

neck; 1634 in debris;

1529, s;
1532,

on skeleton B;
with

1552,

with
2.
3.

seal cylinder;

1535 at

neck;
:

3031, 6;

3091,

one bead.
;

Fine green stone beads, small

N.

with gold find

16^04,

seal cylinder.

Haematite

N. N.

1532,

PI. 8,

no. 2 one bead, large bore.

4.

Camehan

1532,

PI. 8,

rows

i,

and

excepting the middle beads

N.

3031, 6

one bead;
5.

3013, 14.
:

Blue glazed beads

N.

3091.

Barrel-shaped beads:
1.

Camelian:
3018, 4
;

N. N.

1532

with the gold

find,

PI.

nos.

12;

1584,5;

1^04,1;

3051,2;

30^1, 6.
:

2.
3.

Haematite

1532,

PI. 7

no.

3.

Blue glazed beads: N.

1584, sb;
8, 4
;

N.
14.

1^04, 1; 3018 4; 3017, 41c; 3013,

14.

4.

Amethyst

N.

1532,

PL

3013,

Spherical beads:
I.

Blue glazed beads

N.

1532,

PI. 8,

N.

16^04,

3018, 4

3013, 14.

Disc beads (the most

1.

common form from

1532,

the predynastic period

3018, 4;
3031, e;

down

to the latest times)

3.

Camelian: N.
Garnet: N.

PI. 8,

13 >&; 30^1, 2;
;

3091, i; 3025,

2.
3.

1532,

PI. 8,

10 n

1584, sa;
?)
:

3025,

3.

White beads
Steatite (?):

(shell

or limestone
1532,

N.

1603,

3018, 4

30^1,

2.

4.
5.

Blue glazed beads: N.

PI. 8, 12; 3018, 4;

3013, 14;

}o6i, 2;

3091,

i.

N.

1^03,
1532,

PL
PL

42, i;
i.

6.

Syenite (?): N.

7,

For metal beads of various forms see N.

copper).
^t^-itts-

1532,

PL 6 and

7 (gold), 3031,

14

and

30^1,

(both

The
bevelled

beads of imusual form and the amulets^ are

2
;

syenite pendant,
3018, 4
;

N.

1532,

PL

7 no.

speckled stone pendant, N. 30^1,

limestone pendant, N.

flat

shell

pendant, N.
3031, e;

15^2, 9

camelian bead, N. 3018,4;

306^1, 2;

limestone
shell

amulet (animal head),

as bead,

N.
42,

blue

glazed

amulet (crouching animal), N.

beads,
spiral,

used

N.

1^03,

PL

no.

i;

shell-shaped
the

N.

3018,

(shell

or limestone), N.

3013, 14

(camelian).^
1532

See also the shell-shaped,

bull

and the barrel-shaped gold heads from N.

and the

and the

gazelle

amulets

from the same tomb.

Bractitu.

Bracelets
1.

Slate

N.

1532,

2,

Flint

N.
first

1532,

PL 9 PL 9

1512

fragment
3.

1592

two

in debris

1513,

p. 52

1584,

2.

1584,

For beads of the

*"!/-<);

two d3masties

cf.

11 R.

T.,

xxxiii,

i6 ai (m.
viii,

I),

xxxvur, 829 (cem. W),

xlii,

79 8r (cem. X), xliv,

10,

40-43

(tomb of
*
*

/ Abydos,

p. 16, PI.

2 (M 14 and 17); // Abydos,

153-170.

For

late predynastic

and early dynastic amulets see Naqada,

pendant
in

PI. 58.

The

ilate comb-like

N. 1584

(PI, 4l<:)

is

too large to have been a mere pendant.

XV. Writing.
3.

U9
Copper
Gold
: :

Shell

N.
:

1541

N.
;

i5o8, p. 35.
16^05,

5.
*>.

N.

1532,

PI.

N.

1571, 14.

4,

Ivory

N.

1584, 4

PI. 41

6.

N.

1532,

PL

9.
Cosmetic
dithtt, tic.

Dishes for cosmetics,

1.

etc.:

Natural shell
Slate dish:

N.

1571, 28.

2.
3.

N.
(?)

1571, 29

(form of
like

a fish);

1^05,

12

(form of
1584,
i.

bull's head).

Ivory ladle

with handle

an animal leg: N.
flat

4.

Ivory dish, with cord pattern and

handle; N.

1571, 27.

In addition to these objects there was in N.

(PI. 41
"=)

1514,

half of a carved ivory

knob (?peg

hole)

and in N.

1512,

a
(PI,

fragment of a crystal goblet carved on the outside to represent a

41
).

lotus flower half

open

XV.

WRITING.
seals.
is

1.

Cylinder

The

material for the cyUnder seals of the early dynasties

given in the fullest form by

-^'a^

</

Petrie in /

R.

T., PI. 18

29
a

and // R.
officials.

T., PI.

13

25,

Nos.

Abydts.

218.^

These

are

seals

of royal

persons, royal offices, or court

is

The number

of dated

seals

of private persons, however,

extremely small although

number of undated

seals

have been bought for various collections.

The

fourteen cylinders and one seal impression found in our cemeteries form, therefore, an

important addition to our knowledge on the subject.

List of fourteen seals and one impression:
seals.

Photograph

Copy

Tomb

Tomb

type

Date

PI.

9
43

c,
i

PI.

44
44
i

N.

1532
1501,

t/
-^
1

Large wood-roofed
Small wood-roofed

Late
n

dynasty

i i n

'

43 f 43
43

44 f 44 d

i(Jo4,2

'^

Small wood-roofed

1514

y
'^
I

Large corbel-roofed
Small corbel-roofed

440
44 k P

iS^hi'^
160$,

n
J)

43 k
43

Large corbel-roofed
n
n

Late
n
n

Ii
Ai
*

44?
44

160s, 160$,

n
n
))

43
43

m
n
I

n
n
J)

44n
44I 44)

160s, 4 160$,
i

* '^
AA

43
43
43

))

V
n

160$, 6 160$, 7

1 '^
*

J?

44h
44
e

V n V

43 e 43 g

\6o$,

n n

A1
'

n
n
3

44 g 44 c
44 b

KJ05, 9

i T

43 c
43 b
'

3091 t^
I59I,
.

Small

mud box

Irregular hole
to in the following

T 1

53

These seals are numbered consecutively and are referred

also

pages by these consecutive numbers.

These are the

numbers used

by Quibell

in his

Catalogue of Archaic Objects.

20

XI. Writing.

About

27 signs

occur in these cylinders, most of which can be

easily identified.

Yet the

H, reading of the inscriptions presents great difficulties

stmis.

owing to the
it

difference in

names and
analogies

titles

to the seals found at Abydos.

At

first

glance
(i,

appears as

if

there

were no

at all

with the Abydos

seals.

Five of our seals

k,

m,

n, p)

bear curious representations

of

man

seated before an offering table above

as

which

are

signs probably representing loaves

j

of /^-bread

on the

late third

and early fourth dynasty

table.

stelae

and one Icnown

seal (q), a

man with
seals

an animal head instead of the offering

seals (see PI.

Such

figures, well

also

from purchased

44

v, x, y),
is

were not found

at all at

Abydos^

The

difference

between our

and those of Abydos

buried in the

probably due partly to the different

titles^

possessed by the people

two cemeteries and

the

partly to the greater excellence of the

workmanship

at

the

command of
It

Abydos

families.

seems a priori probable that the signs immediately in front of the seated figure rea

present
Rtvtrsai

proper name,

if a

name be

at all

contained in the inscription.

[_]'' P?

The

six seals

which

havc 3 Seated figure give us the groups

examination of the Abydos stelae and
it

^| x,

'^P^r'P^P'4''P

"^^^

^J^- -^^

frtptr

seals

does not show any of these identical names; but

does show

a large

number of names compounded with

cttd.
27),

x
[1

and
is

U,

perhaps one comlike

[1

pounded with
(|

and one compounded with

(seal n5),
(jci

Furthermore

U H

formed

(seal 23),

(seal \6\

0*='

(stela

xxxu

\'='

(stelae 93, 114).

These

are therefore

not

improbable combinations for proper names.

order in the rest of the inscription:

Now and ^^

three of these names are repeated in inverse

y

x U
;

'^

and

>

'

LJ

"f"

ci^

|' (?)

and
seals

cr^n?
//

This

is

the same sort of inverted repetition which

$6,

we

have in the Abydos

R.

T. seals i5i, 53

qP^
the

i> U *0 i> U U I> t U i>

titles.

in

which the proper

!>

,^

U
titles

name

is

written

U
and
repetition.
title,

preceeded by two different

// R. T. xx
35,

158

is

exactly similar with the same

name
all

and

";^;

and

seals

42 and

133

also

bear names reversed in the

repetitions

Almost

these seals

show

reversals

of ike name

only,

of name and

and

other devices to secure perhaps symmetrical appearance or perhaps to guard against the misreading of the
seal.

Among

our

seals

which

lack the figure

(1505,.

of

man,

group of signs

is

repeated reversed

in three cases:

^
In

and

= o.);
is

[\ and \[

(i<^05,

e.)

^^ ff^ P
i|l|

and

ff^

^^

Ci(5o5,6

j.).^

16^05,9 (g.)

the

name

apparently repeated:

tj'o

and
show

(cf. seals

I R.T.io,

'

El Kab, PI. 20, 39 and N. 627,6 present slightly similar figures

but a glance suffices to

that they are

of a totally different

atyle;

and an examination of the other contents of the two tombs

*

in question

shows

that both are late third or fourth dynasty.

Most of the private persons

at

Abydos

are

women and
(||'

children.

simiUr reversal

is to

be found

I A.

1.1

27:

n?P
y.

Ol^'

^'^ ^^ ^- ^"^ ^

'

^""^

"''

^'"'^""^ * 5*

(U 364,

p. 36)

JO^

^.

See also

PI.

44 seals w, x and

XV. Writing.
u,
15,

j2J

18,28

33, III, etc.).

This name occurs

again, the

also in 1605,7 (h.) written

once with one of the same

5?

titles

1^

Z!Z

In

i<S^o5>s (1.)

name seems

to be merely repeated:

and

>^f.

These names may be compared:

(stela 97),

and
'0'

^U

with

^"^

(stela 53),

^^

(stela 74),

x|U
n/a.

'^

(stela

10);

A with[jj

(seal 30),

and

Hj

(stela 8); [18

with the Horus

name
It

(Perabsen) and with j H (stela /

^.

xui).
titles

follows that the remaining signs probably contain

seals

as in the case

of the Abydos
is

seals

and the Bet Khallaf

is

(see Sethe
it

Mahasna,
is

p. 19).

Since the seated figure

not part

of the name, and

often omitted,

also

probably
as

a title

or part of a

title.

Tentatively

then, the inscriptions

on the

seals

may be

arranged

follows.

The names

are enclosed in

rectangles

q. 1532-

iiimmi

^^
u
flP

o.

160$,

I.

^,

tu
p,^

u u X
J

m.

KJ05,

3.

im\ u
I
Jri

9[

p.

icJoj,..

1^'

f t"

[^

LJ

n..i5o5,4.

t^f

IghP

'^s..

p^i'^;,f3,?>f
n
tllJ

e.,o5,..

>^
P

Pf

>
ffi

{(1

h.

i5o5,7.

g.

ido5,

9.

'^

f.

.fo4,.

PUPP (fl^
(flP^ ^ftlP

i..*os,..

PU^P
w ij
11

fff)^

^fil

orU^
^5^.3-

1.

1501,

1,

T ^^
(f.),

Pfi^UPP
fill

In

160$,

(seal m.), small

curved marks hardly distinguishable from c^ are used to

1^05,5
(1.),

in

vacant spaces about the signs. In 1^04,2

i<Jo5,6 (j.), 1^05,7 (h.), i<fo5, 8 (e.), 1605,9 (g.)

an n

is

used either

as a title

or

as

mere mark of

separation.

In 1605,2

(p.),

the

[I

which

is

between the seated

figure
a

and the offering stand has apparently been crowded

in afi:erwards,

and cannot therefore be

the

mere separation mark, but

(1.)

is

on the contrary

necessary part of

name or
'

the

title.

In 1605,5

there are besides the similar marks below

and

above^

The

is

between

ri

and

sM and

is

perhaps to be read with both the preceeding and the succeeding groups of signs.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

16

22
filling

XV. Writing.
2

which seem to me mere

or
P

marks.'

N.

i<Jo5,9(g.)
(cf.

and

160$,

(h.)

seem to give us
p. 30

a title

f^\

Z:z^

which may be read finij-mw

the

Griffith Hieroglyphs,

Fig. 6,

possibly

" Overseer of
In
instantly
2(J,

water "

(?).

i<Jo5,9 (g.), 1605,8 (e.)

and

1605,5

(1.)

are titles ^
a title

''^ or

'^

and

>^*^
134,

or

'^

which
20, 24,.

remind us of the

occuring as
is

{R.T., seals

16, 17,

etc.:

stelae

27, 137, 139, etc.).

(?)

But our sign

quite clear (cf. also Hierakonpolis lxxi 44) and appears

to be a bird

with the head and horns of an ibex (c figure of an ibex with head turned
II
fig.

around Origines

864).
is

See also

PI. 44, seals

y and

z.

In 1605,1-4, there

group of very

similar titles all containing the

words

(9)

sntj

ground

plan (or architect?) and

/Tmt smOs

nLJj^l
of these
seals

t''T'nt' ^^^
were found
in

'--'Hi*
(1605)

The

fact that nine

one tomb

and that these belong in

tLUT

^^

main to
to

different people,

might be taken to indicate that these cylinders were prepared

especially

be placed in the grave*.

(PI.

But most of these bear

distinct

marks of long and

either

constant use

44 below).

It

is

therefore

more probable

that they

were

marks of

authority delegated by others to the person buried in the

tomb or marks of
his death.

authority given

by him to

different

members of

his family

and relinquished on

2.

Potmarks.
i, iii

The potmarks occur on

186,

pots of type

and xxix.

They
at

are

drawn

in Fig. 165, 166

and

and references are given there to

similar

names found

Abydos.

These form another

Unk between our cemeteries and the contemporaneous royal tombs.

3.

Writing.
at Ball^s

In each of two predynastic graves, one

and one

at

Naga-ed-Der, our expedition

fish

found
(cf.

white cylinder-seal.
160),

The

inscription in

one case showed three

and

building

A. Z. XXXIV

and in the other three birds f but these inscriptions indicate in any case

only a very primitive form of writing.

The potmarks and

private
graves the

cylinders from the tombs in our

two cemeteries
writmg

give us

the

same system of writing

are
I

practically in

which we find

in the

same
a

period at Abydos.
~

These
In tact

the

earliest

which we have found such

private

f^^i system of writing.

gravu.
*

believe

that

they
it

are

earliest

graves outside the

M^i
t

If 11

is

title

or an ideogram, the question arises whether

may

not be read / or

/^ "man"

later written
in

or s g.

In this case

/ or ig "man" would be distinguished from s^ "son"

in

the earliest period.

The proper names

which

seems to occur

as an ideogram are

^a. U
rhS^-ntr

S g-t-AnuHs (Woman (?)

(stela

of Anubis, stela

I R.
Jl
|

T. xxxii 17);

M
AAAftAA
t

^^,

s'^-n-Chnum (Man of Chnum, II K. T.

tel 6a);
I'

I R.

T. Jtxxii 8;

and possibly

in

(seal 30);

'j (stela 8);

'V.tseal 24, 134).

The
* It

four bars II R. T., seal 143, and

that

129 seem by 142 to be connected with the

[WT

cf.

193 and 202.

teems

we
p.

have here

/^j^j^ LI,

mui and avus^

n written differently.

See I Abycht,

23 22 to

12.

XV. Writing.

23

tombs subsidiary to the royal tombs

in

which writing has ever been found.

is

It is

therefore

extremely interesting to see that the system

as in

the same as that at Abydos,

first

that in writing for the use

its

the case of

tomb

construction, improvements and inventions are

made

of the great and spread downwards.

And

it is

especially significant to see writing in

necessities

spread

among
writing,
It

private people used for the

practical

of

life

marks of ownership and

first

symbols of authority.

This was
still

at a

time only 50 or 100 years after the

far

known

use of

when
has

it

was

in a stage
that

not

from an ideographic system.

not an Egyptian invention or that
a
it

often

been urged

writing was

was
But

origiH

brought into Egypt by the so-called Pharaonic Egyptians in

comparatively perfect

state.

of kitrogiypku 'y"""'

an investigation of the
a

known

facts

does not bear out either conclusion.

On

the contrary

comparison of the
plainly

earliest writing

with the pictures and

is

reliefs

of the predynastic period

shows

enough

that hieroglyphic writing

an Egyptian invention and that the dynastic

people inherited writing from their

First

racial forebears

of the predynastic period.

of

all,

the negative argument must be considered that

no one

has

been able to point

Foreign

known system of writing of equal age from which the hieroglyphic system may have been derived. The theories which have brought us tales of the wanderings of people of Punt or of Lybians lack any basis of known fact and involve us in the still greater mystery of how the Egyptians got writing from a people who have themselves left us no trace of writing. De Morgan has suggested Babylonia as a possible source of hieroglyphic writing. And although
to any
that

""hUro-

^'/^l'^"^

"'*"'

suggestion has not,

believe,

met with any

it

serious support,

it

will

be well to

state

briefly

here

the

chief facts

which make

impossible

of acceptance.

Whether we

take

Nabonidus' date for Naram-Sin or reject it\ the system of writing used in Babylonia
time of
different

at the

Menes

3300

BC

+ 100

'',

was in language, character and form of signs absolutely

from the Egyptian system.

Taking those

signs

which can be
star,

identified

and for which

city,
first

we

have the early equivalents in both systems, such

as sun,

earth,

mountain,

house,

Radical

door, wood, king, man,

woman, hand,

face, head,

mouth,

heart,

fist,

then

we

find

that the ^J^'"^"

Egyptian signs are

zations

real pictures

of the objects represented while the Sumerian conventionali- ^"^'''^^^"'

if

would hardly have been recognized

It is quite

the signification were

unknown and second

that

shp'^i'
writing.

the most conventionalized Egyptian signs (city, house) differ essentially from the corresponding

Sumerian

signs.

inconceivable that the

If,

more

primitive Egyptian writing could have

it

been taken

directly

from the Babylonian.

however,

is

suggested

that

the Egyptian

writing came indirectly from

some ancestor of

the Babylonian system or

came from some un-

known
facts

system, then the whole question becomes speculative.

justify
us,

We

have no adequate basis of

which would

any conclusion whatever.

There

is

nothing Icnown outside Egypt

which even encourages

system.

much

less

forces us, to seek a foreign origin for the hieroglyphic

On

the other hand an examination of the material presented to us in Egypt itself shows

that the appearance

of

system of writing

is

not so unusually sudden nor

in

is

the system itself

Personally

agree with Lehmann's conclusions on this point

p. 178.
It

Zwei Hauptprobleme dtr iabylonischm Chronohgie.

Meyer, Agyptische Chronologic,

is

unneccessary to point out that the adherents of an older date have been unable to

answer Meyer's argument.

24
used in the
earliest inscriptions in

XV. Writing.
anything
like

as

the perfection

it

reached in the Old King-

dom.

We

must consider the phenomena which attend the introduction of other inventions

and new

arts

which

are unmistakeably Egyptian.

stone vessels

made with

the

shaft-borer,

copper implements, wheel-made pottery, or even brick vaults and stone buildings. In every case,
the earliest examples ever found
dition of perfection

show

the art in a practical useful

form, in

certain con-

though not necessarily the height of perfection.

The
the future

objects placed in the grave

life.

were those which were considered

a

usefiil to

the

man

in

Aside from the objects which as

life

matter of tradition were so regarded, the

life

objects usefiil in the future

were those useful

in the

on

earth; and the traditional objects

in

were themselves objects or models of objects which had once been

common

use.

In fact

all

the things found in the graves appear, in the earliest times at least, to be objects actually used
in the daily
until
life.

It is quite

evident that products of

use, until they

new

arts

would not appear

of certain

in the graves
individuals,

they were in

common
their
art

were part of the

It is

daily life

an

essential part

of

household goods.
could assume

inconceivable that any but the products of

comparatively perfected
grave.

this place in the daily life

first

and so find

a place in

the

Therefore, however primitive the

a

examples of writing found in tombs may be,

the uses to which writing was then put.

they will certainly show

complete system

fulfilling

And

it

becomes
first

mere matter of chance whether

in the fragments preserved to us

we have

the very

inscriptions ever placed in a

tomb or something almost

first

equally early.
is

It is generally

agreed that the hieroglyphic writing of the

dynasty

very primiof the

tive

system

very near approach to an ideographic

as

writing.

An

examination

inscriptions

meagre

they

are,

shows that the hieroglyphic writing of the inscriptions of

to be
rather

the "Scorpion", the

ri<^//r
'^.

Horus Ka, Menes and Weha'-mer appear

more

primitive

than those of the kings Zer, Zet and their successors.

there
is

Sethe has already pointed out^ that

first

a rapid

advance in the forms of the hieroglyphs during the

dynasty; and he has

*'^
tytum.

noted

very important difference between the form of the hawk in the inscriptions of King
that in the inscriptions

Weha'-mer and
a

of Zet, and other differences between the signs

their successors.

{_],

and c=> of the inscriptions of Zer and Zet and those of

that

He

has also

shown ^
and
"/<>

even

in the period
as

of

Wedy-mu
down

(Den) such

common

alphabetic signs as c^^^

=d

=n

were used

ideograms in the Horus-names, in the writing of which the Egypto the

tians held to the ideographic principle

end of the Old Kingdom I

conside-

ration of the

cylinder seals shows the same rapid advance from the seals of

Menes through

the seals of Zer and Zt to those of

It
is

Wedy-mu

(Den), Qaiy-a' {K\j-c) and Perabsen* {Pr-tb-sn).

therefore clear

that

we

have in the

time

of Menes

system

of writing

still

primitive,

in

fact practically ideographic in character,

and
we

that this

system developed rapidly

a

especially during

the

first

dynasty.

This means that

have in the time of Menes

in use.
It is

very

early stage in the invention

of writing, that writing had not been long

p. 39.

doubtful

'

Bettrage, p. 23 8
It

i.

' Beitrftge,

'

seems to

me

that this persistance of ideographic writing in the

Horus name

of the king indicates that the writing of this

name

was one
*

of the earliest uses to which writing

was

put.

See Petrie // R.

7*.

p. 3

3.

XV. Writing.

i25
actually invented

we find the tombs of local kings of the district in which writing was whether we shall ever get any more primitive form than we have already.
unless
this,

But in

spite

of

there

is

sufficient material to

show

that the basis for the invention can be

found in the
steps
Basis of

picture drawings of the predynastic period, sufficient material to suggest even

in the invention

some of the

of the system.

We

have

continuous material from the

earliest

predynastic

times

down

to

Menes which shows

that the predynastic Egyptians possessed a certain facility in "'Uphu

drawing symbols of the gods, figures of men, boats, animals, plants and conventional designs, ^;^;,';". and a very true skill in cutting animal figures in double rehef on slate palettes. The skill which "" f"J was used

making the pictures on the Menes and Weha-mer tablets and slates is a manifest/"""""^' outgrowth of this earlier handiwork^ and produces representations which are indubitedly the r7i!f,.
descendants of the earlier pictures, for example the symbols of the gods, the figures

....

dynastic

lineal

of men, boats, and animals.

For example, compare the symbols

Protodynastic form.
5, 8,

Predynastic form.

^y *p or ^ ^
1^

N. Lxvi

lo

with

Hierakonpolis xxvi

N. LXVI 6

^
Y

Origines

II

PI. II

Diospolisxvi4ib

III^

^
.

N. LXVI

"

^ ^ Abydos
T

See also the symbols:^

Predynastic.

Protodynastic.
14

N.

Lxvii
LXVII

Hierakonpolis xxix

N.

Y Hierakonpolis xxvi^
of objects symbols of

These

early symbols used to designate different gods are undoubtedly pictures

;

used to represent the gods themselves

and

this use
skill

of these pictures

is

plainly a primitivepfi/yZtu
J^^"^,
^'"''"

form of

ideographic writing.

Given then

this

in picturing objects

which we have seen

in the earliest period, given this suggestion

of ideographic symbols in the middle predynastic,

a difficult

hiero-

the Step to representing

all

things

by pictures was not

one.

giyphic

We

imagine the great

men making symbols

estates.

for themselves

"The

Scorpion", "the Fighter"

^"

"'^'

and for their palaces and

Then

the need for marks of ownership, the lack

of which

is

expressed in the private

his

marks on pottery, the need for conveying authority from the head man to

subordinates,

the necessity of marking the indistinguishable equal years by the great deeds, the great events

of the lung's

life

all

these dire wants brought the system of writing quickly forward

to

the completed state of the

time of Menes.
satisfaction

The

early examples

of writing which
Like
all

serve

no other purpose but the

The

of these very needs.

The
difference

other

we have, new arts,

*

'

cursive character Cf the earliest writing

is

part of this inheritance.

between the

line

drawing and the

relief

work

is

due mainly to the difference of the material, and forms probably the beginning of the separation between the cursive or
script.

hieratic,

and the formal or hieroglyphic,

^

See

also Foucart's identification of the predynastic

et Belles

symbols with the gods of the dynastic period

in

" Comptes rtndus des seances

de VAeademie des Inscriptions

Lettres" ,

1905,

p.

257.

26

XVI. Summary.

writing was invented for those

It is

not found in the use of

who wanted it and common people until

a

could pay for

it

the

chiefs
it
is

and kings
quite clear

the time of Zet.

To me

that litde has

been

lost to us

of the steps

in the invention

of the hieroglyphic writing.

For

the

first

time,

we

see the
it.

growth of
is

system of writing, and the conditions and the motives

a
skill,

which accompanied

It

conditioned by

won we know

not
life

how

in

some

early

stone age, but always used in the serv^ice of the practical needs of
built

and in that service

up into

a useful

system of writing.

XVI.

SUMMARY.
different

In the preceeding chapters,

the construction of the

types of tombs found in

cem. 1500 and 3000, the types of pottery, stone

vessels, flints,

copper blades and other objects

in

found
Smriai
ii^itfr</

in the tombs,

have been described

and

now

this

whole material must be held

this

view

in

order

to fix those characteristic

marks which distinguish

set

of objects from the

third

objects of the predynastic period

on the one hand and from those of the

and following

;^'^^ dynasties on the other I

'^-"-

Our knowledge extends to a point perhaps a thousand years before the second dynasty ^ When we look back to this early predynastic period and compare it with the period of our cemeteries, we find the clothed body still lying contracted on the
side

left

head to the south.

vessels,

It

is

still

accompanied by food and by

toilet

carriers

for food
in a

and

drink,

by

implements and arms, by

articles

and ornaments,
daily

word by

objects

which cover apparently nearly the whole range of

visible essential
its

usage.

The

race has not

changed in any
Diferemetjdue

conception of

life

after death or the

customs and practices

to the dead.

But in the objects placed

in the grave

and

in the construction

of the grave
in the
a

mucAanLi^^^^^^f
inventums.

there are a series of remarkable differences based for the

most part on changes

and on the other

^qc\ij;^q^\

powers of the

tace,

on the one

side

a great increase

di-

minution.
'

See above,

p.

1 1

S-

Our expedition has excavated predynastic cemeteries I and //

at

SAurafa, Ballas, El-Ahaiwah and Naga-ed-Dcr.

The

chief publications

on predynastic cemeteries are:

Originei
chapt.
I

Pktrik and Quibell, Naqadah and

while
it

Balias;

Petrie, Diotpolis Parva; MacIver, El-Amrah.

it

De Morgan's

III,
The

was

of great importance at the time

was

written,

is

entirely

lacking in that

exact description

of individual tombs necessary to our present purpose.

As

for the third

and fourth dynasties,

el-Kab;

we have

cemeteries N. 00, N. 700, N. 3500,

and the Gizeh cemeteries.

Third Egyptian Dynasty.

chief publications are:

first

Petrie,

Medum; Quibell,

Garstang Mohasna and Bet Khallaf and The

Tembeau royale;
tl

For the cemeteries of the

two dynasties, the publications of excavations are: De Morgan, Amrah.

Quibell and Grsen, Hierakonpolis ; Petrie, Royal Tombs I and // and Abydos I and //; MacIver,

For the chronology of

this

early period

see especially:

Sethe,

Beitrage zur al/es/en Geschichte Agyplens;

and Eduard Meyer,

of a Sothis period in
I

Agyptische Chronologic.

In regard to Meyer's conclusion

I

that the Egyptian

calender

was introduced
ca.

at the beginning

the years

42414238 B.C.,

may say

that although

accepting Meyer's date for Menes as

3300 (+ 100) B.C.

find that

the length

of time indicated by the siie of the predynastic cemeteries and

by the changes introduced during the course of

In fact,
it

the burials cannot possibly

carry us beyond 4500 for the earliest predynastic grave known.

than 4CXX> B. C.
"

is

extremely doubtful

if

the earliest

known grave

is

earlier

In

any case, 4200 B. C. was a period of undoubted barbarism

the nearest approach to the neolithic which

we have

Egypt; and

it

appears to

me

simply inconceivable that the Egyptian calender can have been introduced formally at tht time.
is

The other

alternative

which Meyer
is

offers

us

2781-2778
I

B. C.

Whether

this

date for the formal introduction of the

intend to return

calendar

is

really excluded

by

"historical facts"

a matter

which
(el

feel

inclined to question.

We

to a consideration of this point in the publication

on tbe predjmastic period. MacIver

Amrah,

p.

5052) independently has reached

the

same conclusion on the length

of the predynastic period.

XVI. Summary.

J27
a

In order to
the

show
is

the extent of these differences,

comparison of the characteristics of

two periods

here arranged in parallel columns:

PREDYNASTIC PERIOD.
Small
graves
pits
:

EARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD.

nearly

shallow,

oval

or

Small graves:

lined with brickwork

later

andcow/aW/o*
vjith.predyH<tstic

round

with the body (contracted on

roofed with branches,

corbel vault.'
boulders,

roofed

left side,

head south) protected by mats or

with recess-chamber.

Recess-burials occur under

'

and

the

early

skins

later small pits

:

Body contracted on
N. 3000
i

left

side,

^y^'""
graves.

Diospolis 51-5Z

N. 7000
i

head south

El-Amrah,
Large graves

class

and
5,

2.

N.

1500,

R. T.

8 etc.
class (J-8.

Naqadah-Ballds, PL
:

82, 83.

Abydos

18

fF.

el-Amrah,

rectangular pits ca. 4

x2 m

Large graves

rectangular, ca.

8x4
:

meters

and

i|

meter deep, roofed with branches

and

meters deep (or larger)

mud-brick

body protected by mats or wooden frame.

N. 7000, el-Ahaiwah, Mesaid:
Diospolis
53

substructure roofed with double roofs of

logs and bricks, later with corbel vaults;

(R. 134)
PI. 5, 82, 83.

multiple chambers, stairways, doorways.

Naqadah-Ballds,
Hierakonpolis
11,

N.

1500,

N. 3000

R.T. I and

//.

52 PI. 57.
2.

Beautifully flaked flint knives, lances and

fish-tail

Poorly flaked broad knives, handled knives,

complicated arrow and lance forms, and
animal forms.

Fum

daggers.

Diospolis, PI. 7:

Abundance of worked
II R. T.

flint

Naqadah-Ballds,

PI. 72

74
Lythgoe
B.

chips rectangular and pointed.

El-Amrah,

PI. 7

and

10

and N.

N.

1581,

1514,

1585.

PI. 4, 6:

Abydos I

PI. 14, 15:

61.

Hierakonpolis II PL 60,
Origines II
Malachite, galena and haematite, used
(as
3.

p. 200-201.

Heavy
loiives,

practical

axe-heads, adzes, chisels.

spears,

Copper.

oxides

etc.) to

make green, white and red

In the late middle period,^
flint

daggers,

implements and

grease paints.

ornaments.

copper dagger blades imitating

(as

forms

Axe-heads:

N.

1513

II R.T. xlv 21,76:

xvi
21
:

noted by Maclver) have been found

perhaps
a
little

I Abydos

l:

Mahasna

Dios-

and

later

copper adzes
chisels.

polis VII u. 74.

(imitating

stone forms)

and
to

AH

Adzes

(imitation stone axe heads)

N.

1513

copper objects

previous

the

middle

II R. T. XLV

77

Mahasna
92.

xvi 34.

predynastic are rare, small and flimsy.

Harpoons
Chisels
:

// R. T. xxxv

Dagger blades
p. 20, a

Naqadah lxv 3
p. 23,

el-Amrah

N.

1513

// R. T.

xxxv 9091
XLV
xvi.
65

131,

230.

XXXVIII 94;
to 75
:

XLI 85-93;

XLII 74;

Adzes: Naqadah lxvs-6 (Diospolis vnu.

74
'

/ Abydos

Mahasna

is

nearly

first

dynasty).
These must be second or
third dynasty
;

Hierakonpolis, p. 26 describes similar tombs with stone slab roof.

is

but the description

of contents
'

not sufficient to settle the question.

case, there is very
little

See

I.

c.

PI. 71,

bottom.
late

In

any

difference in time

between the

middle predynastic and the

late predynastic.

128

XVI. Summary.

Harpoon
Chisels

(copies

of bone forms): Naqa-

Knives:

II R.T. xlv 78-80;

xvi.
15.

I Abydos

l;

dah Lxv
:

7-8.

Mahasna
914 also tombs 807

Naqadah lxv
1233.

Tweezers: II R.T. XLm

Fish-hooks
:

and

// R. T. xlv 1920 1 Abydos

;

li.

Tweezers: el-Amrah
Pin
:

p. 23, a 104.
:

Pins
p. 18,

(?)

// R. T. XXXV 93-95
17;

xxxvm

92

Naqadah tomb
a 139.
(cf.

1821

el-Amrah

XLUI
Nails: II

XLIV47 49.
xliii
16.

R.T.

Needles

bone forms) Naqadah lxv 3

:

Needles: II R.T. xxxv 84-89;

xliii
13,

xxxvm

93;

el-Amrah
Bracelets
(like

p.

i(J,

a 117

p.

21,

6$.

14;

XLV

18.

bone

and
1248
:

shell

forms):
p. 20,

Bracelets:

N.

1532;

N.

1571.

Naqadah tomb
b 52;
p. 21,

el-Amrah
b

210.
(J7
;

Rings

el-Amrah

p. id, a

p. 18,

28.

Cf. Diospolis p. 24 has never

25.

Our

expedition

Shells
3

with green paint and malachite in

dynasty
at

foimd any copper implements

late

El-Kab

(especially

p.

11

previous to the

predynastic at el-Ahai-

no. 174 stone roof, head north). See copper

wah,

Ballds or

Naga-ed-Der.
at

None were

models, el-Kab xviii 56-65 (Sneferu).

found in the main deposit

Ctmmon
4.

Hierakonpolis.

Common
fats,

pottery, carriers of grain, liquids,

4.

Common
fats,

pottery, carriers of grain, liquids,

ashes and

mud

(mortar?).
as a

Skilfully

ashes and mud-mortar.

Most forms

made by hand; but

cheaper
that
(i.

rule

of poorer,

can be traced directly to predynastic forms.

e.

more

easily obtained) material

They
(see

are

still

hand made and useable pots

types

the

pottery

vessels.

In

the

later

especially
is

i vii

above)

but

period, the best forms are of a hard-burnt,

there
nique.

distinct

degeneration in tech-

fine-grained drab ware.

As

these

were cheap pots from

is

Cf Naqadah

pottery

W. R.

and L.

the beginning, the degeneration

not so

marked

as in

5.

See above
fint
5.

p. 89.

Cf el-Amrah

p. 47-48.

Fine pottery vessels:

often in fancy forms

red polished ware

5.

few red polished forms occur but not

(Naqadah
C)
the

class

so well

made

as the older

types (see above

:

and F)j decorated ware of the white

type
type

line
line
in-

types X
to

XIV, xxiii

xxvi

I Abydos xxxvi

(Naqadah

class

red

XLi,

marked

P).

Four

examples

of

(Naqadah

class

D) and the black

class

black topped red polished pottery (B) are

cised type

(Naqadah

N); red polished

class B).

recorded

see

el-Amrah

PI. 14

2 b, thin

ware with black tops {Naqadah

from

corbel vault, b ^6, of the second

PI.

The

white line type appears to occur only

early period j the black incised
is

dynasty; / Ab^'dos

5 9 10 from the tomb

23,

in the

of Zer and the Zer-subsidiary tomb no.

very rare; the others continue

the late period.
all

down

to

of the

first

dynasty; and Tombeau royal

In the late period, they

p. \6z fig. $66.

The

best pottery forms are

become

infrequent.

About

the begin-

the red polished (xi

xiii,

xxi, xxxiii, xxvi)

XVI. Summary.

129
(xiv,

ning of the

first

dynasty,

the

red line

and the hard red types

XXVII
that

xviii

xxii,

decoration degenerates into series of

lines

wavy
like

xxviii).

On
in

the whole
first

we may
the

say

and even into

parallel

splashes

we

find

the

two
of

dynasties
fine

rows of commas.
Cf. Naqadah, types
P. F. C.

only

degenerate

remnants

D.

and B.
PI. 14,

pottery vessels of the predynastic period.

See Diospolis
15

PI. 2

and el-Amrah
late

Cf El-Amrah

p. 47

48.

(note

the interesting

middle pre-

dynastic group

on

PI. 8

6-i).

6.

Stone vessels are extremely rare in the

early, predynastic period.'

6.

Stone vessels are very abundant even in

small

They
PI. 8-9,
jars

are for

poor tombs (cf

3015, 3053 etc.).

They

stom ^'""'

the
jars

most part small hand-bored

with handles (Naqadah
irregular cylindrical
^'
"''

vessels,

are apparently

bored with the stone-borer

borers // Hierakonliii

H 1-74),

on

shaft (cf stone

small

(Naqadah

polis Lxii and 1

Abydos

23-34).

They
above

3,

=,

5, 7,

but not with cord line

present
chapter

a great variety
xi),

of forms

(see

about the neck), small rimless cups and

some of them very

fig. 822-3),

large (see

bowls (Naqadah S 44
in animal

47),

and some

jars

IlOrigines

and some of exquisite

fig.

form {Naqadah S 80

84).

The

workmanship
but

(see

// Qrigines

66^-$)

material

is

usually basalt, alabaster, lime-

many of

the

forms can be

traced

stone and brecchia.

In the
jars

late

middle

directly to the pottery forms

of the pre-

and

late

period these

increase in size

dynastic period (types S

XXI, XXV, xxvi).

x, xiv, xvii to

and numbers but were never numerous

(cf.

Types

xi, xx'^ 7

15,

xxiii

Naqadah

p. 10 19).
rx.

and XXIV are descended from predynastic

stone forms.
are

See also Diospolis

Types

xii, xiii,

xv, xvi, xxii

new types having their origin in the new skill applied to the hard material. The materials are slate, alabaster, volcanic ash and limestone in the common graves,
porphyry, crystal and syenite in addition
in the royal tombs.

See in addition to our two cemeteries,

Petrie's

cemetery M., I Abydos PL 3^-49.

slate palettes,

7.

Slate

paint palettes with marks of green

paint.

7.

Large ornamental

resembling

siati

and red
hawk,

The forms

are

rhomboid,
hippotamus

the double bird type, with small spot in

gazelle, turtle, fish, lion,

center for rubbing paint.^

palette
is

The

rest

of the
reliefs

and

jackall,

the
the

animal forms are those

In the late

covered with elaborate

which occur
predynastic,
'

later in amulets.

referring to the king,

to national events,

prevailing
line

forms

are

or to hunting
p. 15,

(?)

scenes.

Only two of
S7
with-

Occuring with white

decorated ware: Naqadah

i

p.

29 1676; el-Amrah

b 144 (H 72): Lythgoe N. 7014,4 like

like

out a rim, alabaster; Lythgoe N. 7128,

'

like

62, alabaster;
p.

Lythgoe N. 7016, surface,

71, basalt.

See Quibell's exposition

I.

Hierakonpolis

41 PI. 29.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

17

130

XVI. Summary.

rhomboid, square and round with simple

borders in incised
lines.

these have been found

by

European
at

both by QuiBELL in the temple

48.

Hiera-

See

Naqadah

PI.

47

konpolis.

They

are in any case intended

for purely ceremonial

purposes.

In the

early first dynasty graves

at

of Cemetery

Abydos and

in the

Menes tomb, there

of the

were
late

also slate palettes like those

predynastic period.

See / Hierakonpolis xxix and // Hierakonpolis xxviii

:

// Origines, PI.

z,

and

p. z6s.

comparison with the

seems to show that
palette
is

ivory
the

carvings

smaller Hierakonpolis

slightly older than the other

i.

e.

time of Menes or a
latest
slate

little

older.
is

The
dy-

palette
8,

know

nasty, el-Kab, p.
8.
ktadi.

stairway

tomb No. 6.

Mace heads of hard stone of three forms,

'^n/I^ splay or disc form, bulbous CTT) *-' form and spindle form.
Practical
striking

8.

Large ornamental bulbous mace heads with

delicate
reliefs

referring to

the
as

king and

to national events.

Found

yet only in

weapons

with

some

the temple

site

at Hierakonpolis.

Purely

painted limestone models.

ceremonial.

Other bulbous

mace -heads

See Diospolis, p.

33 ^^

85, PI. 5

one with
shaft:

also

occur.

The

splay
at

form has never

horn

shaft

and one with ivory

been found except

they

Hierakonpolis where

Naqadah,
el-Amrah,

xvii, 125:
PI. 10, 6
:

may be

predynastic.

The ornamented
is

and

splay mace-head,

Hierakonpolis, xxui,

// Hierakonpolis, xxvii.

however

significant.
xii,
:

/ Hierakonpolis,
XIX,
3,

4,

xxv, xvni,

17,

XXVI, a c

// Hierakonpolis, xxiii, xlvii

"

// R.

T., XXVIII, 69

XXXVIII, 85-87

XLl, 9S

Reqaqnah,

PI. 7:

see also figures of

(?)

king on the

VVhj-mr

slate
14.

and

on the fragment I R.
Ttiitt

T. x,

9.

Combs,
bracelets

hairpins,

and bracelets of ivory;

;

9.

Combs,
lets

hairpins, bracelets, beads

and amu-

of

shell

beads and amulets of

of nearly the same form and the same

as

camelian, blue glazed stone, fayence, etc.

materials

in

the

predynastic

period.

amulet-hke objects of ivory,

etc.

Bracelets of slate, flint and crystal.

cylindrical

Long

beads of sofl black or white

a

stone bored with

copper

drill.

XVI. Summary.

131

Combs and
Lxiv
:

hair

pins:

Naqadah,
4

lxiii,
2,
3,

Combs and
xxxviii,
8
;

hairpins:

//

R.

T.,

iii,

20;
;

el-Amrah, vm,
IX,

and

xri,

// Origines, Fig.

75^759

Diospolis,

2125; X, 1-12.
:

N.
no.

579

(4* dynasty):
p. 8

el-Kab,

p. 6,
10,

Beads and amulets

Naqadah,

lviii (date

312, 185;
;

no. stairway 6\ p.
;

of 0^3, Qj'op ?)
polis, LXIV,

Lxii

Diospolis, x,

no. 178
3

PI. 27,

nos. i55, 170

all

of the

1529, XI, 23; XII, 3542: II

5

Hierakon-

dynasty:

etc.

On

the

manner of
p. 44,
11,

Bracelets: //

R.

T.,

xxxv, 2472; xlv, 717,

working beads see Naqadah,

6$ and // Hierakonpolis, p.

3740; II Abydos,yn\, 144152: II Ori-

31,

gines, Fig. 733

743

el-Kab, p.

6,

no.

312;

i.

e.

chipped into small

a

bits

or

p. 10, no. 138; pi. xxvii, no. 179:

Di-

flakes,

bored with
disc,

minute

flint

point,

ospolis, p. 35, u. 354.

rubbed into

barrel or spherical

Beads: II R.

T., xxxiii, 1623

(cem. M.).

form on

block

of sandstone and

xxxviii, 9-29

(cem.W.), xlii, 79-81 (Denxliv, 4043

polished (on hard stone? or leather?).

IVdymw),
I Abydos,
// Abydos,

(02.=

K'j-c):

Lii

(cem. M.)
153- :6i

VIII,

II Origines, Fig. 721

731,
81

744.

Amulets

11

R. T., xxxv,
LI,

/ Abydos,
II

19

LII,

61

Abydos,

vi

vii,

50132:
i

I Hierakonpolis, xviii-xxiii, xxii,

and 4.

lo.

Woven
cloth,

mats, fmely and coarsely

woven
the

10.

Woven
cloth.

mats, finely and coarsely

woven
as cere-

Wtaiing.

skins.

Pouches

for

clothing

Skins are not found in graves; but

male pudenda.

leopard skins continue to be used

material

The

best

on

these

points

monial dress.
the

The

statuettes

still

show

comes from our cemetery

excavated by Lythgoe.

7000,

pouch for the pudenda.

See ivory figures,

el-Amrah,

p. 30.

Hierakonpolis

vm

and x;

slate palettes

Hierakonpolis xxix and

// Origines
II.
11,

p. 252.

No

writing but line-painting and relief and

n.

well developed system of nearly pure

Painting

seal cylinders containing the basis for the

ideographic writing which developed in a

short time
to
a

^^riting.

system of writing which

first

is

found

in

the

system of ideographic-

dynasty.
:

phonetic writing.
animal groups etc. in line

Earliest period

Period before Menes

the opposite column.

see late period in

drawing on white-line red-polished pottery

(Petrie's class

C):

see.

N'aqadah,xxi-x.,<)i<)Z:

Menes: Quibell, Catalogue No.

II R. T.
Ill,

14142:

Diospolis,
(especially
PI- 2j
1, 4,

XIV, 93 b:

el-Amrah, xv,
21
:

17

120, IV,

I 20,
:

XIV, 97- 104: II Ori-

interesting),
:

/ Origines,

gines, Fig. 522

56^1

possibly also the slate

3>

'3.

palettes, // Origines, PI. 2, 3

and

Fig. 8^4,

132
Middle period: scenes firom
life,

XVI. Summary.

men,

and the clay cylinder

Catalogue

1.

c. Fig.
bis.-

857

Quibell,

animals, birds, plants, star, boats, with in-

No.

14238

painted
11, a, e, 7,

pot
1315.

signia

of

the

gods in

line

drawing on
(Petrie's

/ Abydos

l.

See also // R. T.

red -line

decorated

pottery

D)

Weha3-mer
xiii,

(Nar-mer): II R.

T., 11,35,

and

in painting in the
:

Hierakonpohs

Tomb
3(J*"^,

9194

Hierakonpolis, xxvi

B and
is

per-

found by Green
J7,

See

Naqadah xxxiv
PI.

haps

C (ivory

maceheads), xxiv
etc.,

slate palette.

40 41, 43, 45 47, S^SS\ 78, ^o-.Diospolis

:

With

Zer, Zet

there

rapid

XVI

El-Amrah
IX 2,

xiv
3,

/ Origines

2,

vi 5,

change in the form of certain hieroglyphs

VII 4, vni,

X.

See also pottery box

and the application of phonetic values to

certain signs
finally

w ith
tomb
Lxxv

charcoal drawings,
a 41
;

El-Amrah
11

xii, p.

16

becomes more marked.

See

Green's tomb

Hierakonpolis

the seals of Khasekhemui II R. T.

Lxxviii;

and seal-cylinders Lythgoe

XXIV where words seem to be spelled out

N.7304 and A.Z. xxxiv 160 (from // R. T.x),

cf.

with determinative:
T\
,

ra

J "^

(207);

^,23

// R. T. XVI
Late Period:

116.

(iio);
a

seal - cylinder

Lythgoe
Sethe,

<]

J^
i
I

AWWA

^^^'^^'

Ballas

(birds etc.

on

reused cylinder
like

See / R. T.

xxxvi
p.

// R. T.

with traces of an older inscription

Beitrdge,

39

41,
:

p.

xxxi 64;
61

N.

7304)

probably the

reliefs

on

the lime'

/
31

Abydos

V,

XI

xiii

//

Abydos v

stone

jar

of

^
i,

36P Hierakonpolis xiv

33, 3<J;

X2i(5; XII 274

279;

XVI.

the line drawings of the so-called

Ka-Ap
repre-

king //

Abydos

11

and possibly the carslate

xii

ved ivory and small

sented Hierakonpolis
the gold handle

palette

xvii, xxviii

and

on the

flint

knife in the
1426$.

Gizeh Museum, Quibbel, Catalogue

On
tmuatioH

It is

clear

from the above comparison that the old

arts

of

flint

chipping, hand manufacture

in the

#/X
'^''

2/of pottery,

mat and cloth weaving, bead boring and rubbing continued to be practised
and many of
their products can be traced directly in technique

early dynastic period;

as

and form
arts.

products of continuous manufacture

down from

the oldest

known

products of these

But

it

is

equally clear that the handicrafts in

which the predynastic Egyptians excelled

flint

the dynastic Egyptians

were

the

hand manufacture of pottery and of

distinctly inferior

implements.

The
in

dynastic products of these crafts are

the
skill

and show

marked degeneration

of the workers'^.

On

the other hand, the dynastic Egyptians excelled in the

manu-

facture of stone vessels, in the

possession of copper implements which appear to have been

introduced in the
Prtdmetj

late

predynastic period and in the use of writing.

But
fine

it

was something

moTC than merely

excelling

on

the one side or the other.

For the

hand-made pottery

#J Irtt" vessels of the predynastic period have been actually replaced in the early dynasties by the
TtpUutd
tj prtdtufi
> '

See MtTCR A.
comroe
il

C p.

132, note 2.
royalt,
p.

'/

fartt.

See Di Morgan,
travail, a

Tombeau

201 (speaking of

flints):

"Dans tous

les cas,

les instrument

d'epoque pharaOnique sent bien

inCfaieurs,

ceux des indigenes ;

les iciats sont levis

avec beaucoup moins de rdgulariti, et bien que les pieces soient fort
taillfee

grandes,

est ais<, en les voyant, de privoir la fin de I'usage

de

la pierre

en Egypte."

'~^

XVI. Summary.

133
artisans the craft

more permanent and

practical stone vessels

and with the death of the old

was confined to the manufacture of cheap pottery for the most common uses or for temporary ceremonial or traditional purposes.
the Egyptian potter was
dynastic pottery.*
It
is

even probable that through lack of practice

fine

no longer
the
flint

able to

make those

forms which distinguish the predaily

j

So

also

implements have been replaced in

uses or for ceremonial purposes
a

use by copper
fine ripple-

implements except for the most

flaking

common

and the

of the predynastic period has become

useful arts

lost art.

The

dynastic Egyptian had acquired

two new

the manufacture of copper implements and the use of the stone borer
arts serving the

on

shaft j

and the products of these

same purpose

as the

products of the

old arts of flint-making and pot-making by hand have been found

in the long run.
use.

more

usefiil

and cheaper

They

have therefore driven out the products of the old

arts

for household

The

old arts ceased to be practised continually for general use and degenerated, and in

the degenerated form only continued to be practised for the manufacture of very cheap objects

or of objects for traditional-ceremonial purposes.

Thus

the graves of the early dynasties contain products of arts

,
.

copper working, use

<^''//"-

of copper tools, stone boring and writing

which
.

implements,

are

never found in the graves of the

stone

early predynastic period and but seldom in the

the products of the olders arts of
flint

graves of the late predynastic period.

But *"").'v^''
<:\ox\\.'""j'''jf

chipping, hand manufacture of pottery, mat and

weaving

still

occur, often imitating the older forms or directly traceable to them.

enables
us
to

dynastu
period.

This
classes,

fact

separate

the

objects

found in

this

period into two

distinct

useful objects
new
arts

and

traditional- ceremonial objects.

The

useful objects comprise the

products of the

which on account of

their practicality have replaced the finer products

of the old

arts in the daily life (stone vessels,

copper implements and weapons, and

substitute has

inscriptions),

and

also the

products of old

arts

for

which no better

been found (mats,

cloth,
life

seal cylinders,

beads and ornaments).

These

objects
as

were

certainly those used in daily

by the occupant of the grave or such of them

place in the grave.

the relatives felt

bound by

fihal

piety to

^"/"'
objects

and

The

traditional-ceremonial objects comprise the implements and the yesseh

traditional

of ceremonies
etc.), flint

still

kept up by tradition,

certain types of pottery (types xxix^,

ii,

in,

v^,

t/,e

graves.

knives, ornamental slates (found as yet only in temples)

and ornamental mace heads

arts

(found

as

yet only in temples).

Such of these

as

depend on the old

of

flint

chipping
the other
to
their

and hand manufacture of pottery, show

distinct degeneration
slate

of technique.

On
call

hand those ceremonial objects

assistance the

(mace heads and

palettes)

which could

copper
a

chisel,

the

new

skill

in

working stone surfaces and the knowledge of

writing,

show

degree of elaboration

which made them absolutely impractical for anything

but ceremonial use.

The

ceremonial objects of one period are the useful objects of some past period whose
Just as the
art

usefulness has been lost.

machine-made stone

vessels

of the early dynasties drove

third
p.

out and destroyed the

'

of making hand-made pots, so

etc.,

we

find in the
II

and fourth
cf.

For the conditions under which pottery, stone vessels,

were manufactured, see Green,

Hierakonpolis

17 44 and

the

family factories of the present day described by Maclver.

*

jfournal of the Anthropological Institute xxxv, 1905.

offering.

Used probably

in

making the

traditional

^J-bread as a funerary

Used

for bringing

mud and mortar

to plaster

and seal

the grave.
'

Carriers of grain and Uquids.

Still profitably

made

of pottery on account of

its

size.

34

XVI. Summary.

dynasries the wheel-made pots driving out stone vessels for ordinary purposes.

And

just as

the old hand-made pots continued to be

made

for use in the graves as a matter of tradition,

so in the fourth dynasty stone vessels continued to be made for use in the graves of that
period.
lines,

In other words, looked at from the point of development

on

technical and mechanical

earlier

the fourth dynasty bears very

much

the

same relation to the

This
is

dynasties as the
will

earlier dynasties bear

to the predynastic period.

a question

which

be taken up

more
the

at

length in the volumes dealing with the royal cemeteries at Gizeh.

it

Now
new The
be traced

must be remembered

that these

two

classes

of objects

the useful objects of

arts
1513

arts

and the impractical objects whose descent from the products of the old

can

these
people

two classes of

objects occur side

by side in the same graves (N.

etc.).

el^i^

who

practised the

new

arts still

clung to the traditions ceremonies and

arts

r^ *"' of the people of the earlier graves, as only lineal descendents are capable of doing. In nmHnm i another place the anatomical evidence of this lineal descent will be presented by Prof Elliot
s

frtm

tJu
1

tariittt

Smith.

That evidence, we beheve

I

to be perfectly conclusive.
it
is

But for the present, from the

^"^^ "archaeological evidence alone,

think

clear

that the

differences

between the people of

the predynastic graves and those of the early dynasties

depend on two mechanical inventions

a

stone

boring and writing

in

and on the spread of

third invention

copper -working

which was made

the middle of the predynastic period.

All three of these inventions are

so closely related that

practicable.

we may

say that the invention of copper- working

(p.
113

made the other two

satisfy

As we have seen above

first

115)

copper weapons, which

the keenest

need of primitive man, was the

result

of the invention of copper-working.

a

The

possession

of copper weapons undoubtedly gave the courage necessary to

wider range of

tribal action,

opened new

fields

for obtaining

wood, metal and

stone, and tended, in fact finally led directly

to the concentration of political

power and wealth under

the

first

kings of

Upper and Lower

Egypt.

Under

this

impetus, the invention of copper implements for working the

facilitated the cutting

new

materials

soon followed.
vessels,

Copper implements

of proper blocks of stone for stone

in

and by thus cheapening the material probably led to an increase

if I

the practice of

stone boring and so encouraged,

may

say so, the invention of

better borer

the
we
it

crank

and

shaft

borer, perhaps the first machine^ ever invented by

man.

In

like

manner, copper
as

implements would make easier the

the painted pots and prepare the

earlier stages in cutting in relief

skill

such scenes

see

on

necessary for cutting

inscriptions.

Thus

was the
all

invention of copper which' gave the

the

first

great impetus to the race, the necessary courage,

conditions which

would make

for

development.

And

it

is

not necessary to seek

this

invention of copper-working outside Egypt.

earliest

The
work

Egyptians had
it

known copper

ore from the

known

period} they had begun to

into ornaments

perhaps in the

middle

predynastic j and they

were
time

in possessions

of practical copper weapons by the end of the

has
5

middle predynastic

at a

when no one
is

yet ventured to suggest

foreign invasion.
is

The

invention of copper working

Egyptian

the invention of the stone

is

borer

Egyptian;

and the invention of the hieroglyphic system of writing

'

Egyptian.
shaft
to

In the shaft borer, the

power applied by hand

were used

to a crank

was

transmitted
tools.

by a

a boring stone.

All other

known

early

implements including Egyptian

mills,

directly in the

hand as

XVI. Summary.

35

The
and
slates

very products of these inventions copy in stone and copper, the

arts.

flint,

bone and

pottery products and the pictures and forms of the old

Even

the great ceremonial maces

else

of the dynastic rulers of Egypt are more closely bound up than anything

with

the past as

we

see

it

in

Egypt of the predynastic period.

It is,

believe, impossible to escape

the conclusion that the inhabitants of Egypt from the earliest predynastic period

down

to the

end of the protodynastic period, form one continuous race and

the
steps

that

we

are here witnesses

of

by which they conquered the stubborn materials of the earth and earned

that

civihzation

which we

call

Egyptian.

APPENDIX.
The
Basis for dating

Tombs

of the

III

and IV Dynasties.

have constantly referred to certain tombs in the publications of El-Amrah, Naqadah, Elto

Kab, and The Third Egyptian Dynasty, and have assigned

in the respective publications.

them

a different date to that

given

The

basis

of

this

new

dating

is,

for the

most

part, the

following

scheme of the development of tomb types, or rather substructure types

in large
I
(first

tombs:
half).

Wood-roofed
Corbel-vaulted

brick substructures, without stairway

...

Dynasty

with

a stairway
...

II

(second

half).

=
=

,,

11.

Deep subterranean chambers reached by

the

from

III.

North
subterranean

Deep

chambers

reached

by

straight

square shaft

IV.

(including
Sneferu).

The
groups.

types of objects occurring with each of these substructure types form characteristic

By comparing

the small tombs and their contents with the classification of the large

tombs and

their characteristic groups of objects, the small

tombs

are dated as follows:

Wood-roofed mud-brick
Corbel-roofed
Stone-roofed

wells

with entrance

= =
^=

Dynasty

I
II.

and Early

II.

II

and

III.

Corbel-roofed
Square
pits

without entrance

with recess chamber

Roughly vaulted mud-brick wells

Dating according to
II this classification,

= = =

IV. IV. IV.

which

will be dealt with at length in

Naga-ed-Der
will

and

III,

and controlhng the date by the

burial

and the other contents of the tombs, there

it is

always be of course a certain range for the date of most individual tombs, but

a range

of only half

dynasty or so for tombs which have been fully recorded.

sake, the

For convenience

following arrangement will give

my

conclusions

on

the dates

of the tombs in the pubHcations referred to above:

EL-AMRAH.
I.

Late

I.

Late

I.

or Early

II.

Probably

II.

II.

Late

II.

to IV.

X 3 X 8 x41

b 91
b
13

b 33 b 59 b 80 b 81 bll5
bl31

bl80

bl40 bl46 bl72

b 55

b 69

b 54 b 57 b 58

bl37 bl78
b

b 97 b
b b
4
7

b 2 bl75
b 98

x45 x57 x60

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

bl85
b 50 X 50 X 51
I.

b 12 X 74

bl82

bl42 bl77
b 99

bl73 b 70

b 10 bl45 bl26
l8

bl33

bl48

138

Appendix.

NEGADAH &
Ule
Pradyn-

BALLAS.
m.

Ute
Predynstic-I.
I.

I-II.

II.

U-III.

Eariy lU.

Ute

IIL

IIl-lV.

IV.

Ute

IV.

atk.

Q99 N39

Q Q

97

98

Q874

Q Q Q Q Q

93
99
100 106
190

Q Q Q

24 6887

Q172

179

161

71

353-

212"

4464

?T

15

265

162
201

107
179"

524
300

265
?358-

Q445

?212
353

265
524 x

Q
?T

81

686"
103

15

Q Q Q Q N

208
337 338 428
17

?358
365
.522

526

143
180

586
62

235
446'

52i

?103
178

530 586 764

446

N1248

260

4463

275
311

80"

836
X

intrusive.

shaft.

850

314
367

round pot.

square pot box.

wood.

865

63

EL KAB.*
L.P..I

ML
2 4
141

n.

IIU.

ii-iii.

III.

m.iv.

IV.

I-V.

LI

L
L

L
L
? ?

11

L3

153

12

LIO

94 239

L L L L

5
7

13 14

St. St.

St.
St.
St. St.

e*.

8
9 206
241
?

83

8 89
101

2 6
9

318

m. A.
B.

1.

178

C.

%
179

D.
E. 42
101

110 118 123 133

136

St. 10 St. 12

222 237 247

88 99
131

174

?186
228
231

170 172
177
' ' '

166
187

185
'

192 214

249

?280
315 316 319

Quibell has recognized correctly that the stairway tombs are earlier
III

191

288
301

than the shaft tombs, and that the dates are respectively

and IV Dynasties.

?204

The

etters

e.

m.

1.

mean

"early'

"middle",

"

late".

312

THIRD EGYPTIAN DYNASTY.

lU.

Ute

lU.

Early IV.

IV.

Late IV.

V.

After VI.

R46

R19
70

R64

R R

63 62
61

R R
R R

75

R70

88A-C
92
94(?)

R R R

50 89 80

R71x

R14

56A-B
68 57 58 67 97 98 99 66

54

55A
?

93 95

%
87 ?250 ?R 72

R
?R

55B
59

R251

LIST

OF TOMBS
Photograph
Pottery

IN

NUMERICAL ORDER'.
1500.
Other
Objects
PI.

Cemetery N.
Tomb
Number
N.
Descriptive

Stone
Vessels
PI.

Place

Referred
to in

Figure

of

Tomb
PI.

Photo-

on Map
I.

Text

Tomb Type

Date

Text
P-

No.

graph
PPI.

1501

22 33

24,

25 06

IS-l

...

42o, 43

2 2

...

wood
1506
55,
lla-c

Small, roof
roof

I.

55

Y
...

5, 10, 11,

Large,

I.

II.

12, 14
...

wood

1508
1511

1608

...

...

...

...

...

...

Middle
38

Kingdom
68-70

Burial
19,

>.

XII.

1512

20

52b

45

41

W2
Z
<=

4,7,8,10,
12,

14

Large, wood roof with stairway

Large, corbel with stairway
"

I.

1513

48 44

24-26

83^7
27,

56^

46b, 47

41b

9,

10

II.

1514

II,

77-80

28

56

48b.

40, 41

Y2
Z 2

5, 6, 7, 9,

n.

43
1515 47
81-82
33b, 35". d
...

10, 13,

14

50b

40b

7, 10, 13,

TL
...
II.

14

1515X
1516
1517

1516

...

Z
...
...

1 1

10
...

SmaU, corbel

...

...

wood
1518
1521
.

Small, roof

n.?

A
53 53

Indeterminable
n

...
I.?
I.

18 18

1522

6,7
122-124

1523
15251

62
17,

39c
16"

50

<=

W2 W2 W2
...

Under boulder
Small, corbel

m.?
Late
I.

20

18-20

54

...

Y Y

10
10

wood
1525n
1526

Small, roof
n

20 43 26

18-20

16-0
31"-=

54
...

II

76

49". b

41 -c

1571

Large, corbel with stairway

Small,

II.

1529
1531 1531

47, 48

23<'

54''

...

...

W2
X
1 1
1

10

II.

wood roof
16
21

3 3
52-54

. > *

...

ti

I.

...

42

1532

29

4,5

53-i>,

46

6-9

X X

10
7, 10, 12,

I.

54b

14

Large, wood roof without stairway

1,533

28

50-51

10a

54 b

...

...

W
Z
Z

7, 10, 11,

I.

12,

14

1535
1536 1538

17 17

18 ISb
>

50c

Indeterminable

Late L
n
n
fi

2 6
. .

15

40b
. . . .
.

1538A
'

15

14d
were not used

Y2 Y2

Mud box Wooden box

n

Numbers not

in this list

for

tombs

in

these two cemeteries.

I8*

140

List of Tombs.

De-

Photograph
Figure
of

Pottery

Stone
Vessels
PI.

Other
Objects
PI.

Place

Referred
to in

Nomber
N.

Tomb
PI.

Photo-

on

Map
I.

Text

Tomb Type

Date

Text
P-

No.

graph
p.
PI.

1541

25

44

...

...

...

...

VB
Z2
Z Z
b

3,

10

wood
1561

Small, roof

II.

1581

...

...

...
51''

...

1562

59
43

104-106

391

51

!>

42', 43''

7,9,11,14

Small, corbel with entrance

II.

1571

76

31-c
...

...

49^b
.51a

41a-c

7,9,10,13,

14

Large, corbel with stairway

n

II.

1572
1581

53 36
16

Map

I.

...

7,9,10,14
3,4,5,6,7,
10, 12, 14

II.
I.

65-67

21,22
II.

52a

45

1-

40 a.

X-W2 Y Y2
1

Large, wood roof with stair

1.5R?

Map
60-90

14^ 17
29,

...
... ...

Wooden box
9, 10, 12,

I.

1584

52

30

41

.-c

1585

M
41

Map Map

11.

14
... ... ...

Large, corbel with stair

Pottery box, stone slab roof

II.

II.

Y
39=-

'

III.

1586

71-75

32,33
...

48a

Z2

14

Large, corbel with stairway

II.

1591

18 18 17

...

43
...

Wl
Y2 V2
X Y
Z
1

Hole
Indeterminable

Late II.?
II.?
I.

1592 1602 1603

Map
5
22

II.

23<= 17<

41b

53a
...

Mud box
10

22 24 54

...

...

424
41a, 43

wood
1604
1606

Small, roof
n

I.

35,36

14a
34, 35a- b
...

1 1

10
...

II. II.

91,92
32-34.

50a

44 41b,c
43,

Large, corbel with stairway

1606
1607*
1607''

23
24
19

12a.''

54''

Y X X X

...

wood
14, 15 14,

Small, roof
n

II.

14f 14f
12c, d

1
1

II.

15

10
7, 9, 10,

I.

1606

34

57,

58

14

Large, wood roof without stairway

Small, corbel with entrance
n n n

I.

1611

57

95-97

37 a.

...

...

A2

7,11,14
14

II.

1612

58
58 59

98-99
100-101

39

1613
1614

A2 A2
Z2
50
!>

7, 11,

IL
II. II.

7,9,11,14 7,9,11,14

102-103

39f

1615 1616

-1562

>

a
23 22
59 26

38,39 28,29
26,27
107-109

391

...

Z2 Z2 Z2 Z2

9,

10

wood
1617 1618 1619
9,

Small, roof
n B

II.

10 10

II.

9,

II.
II.

37

c.

...

...

...

7,9,11,14

Small, corbel with entrance

1620

49
59-62

...

...

...

...

Y2

10

wood
1621

Small, roof

II.

35

...

'

...

Y2
Y2

7,10,11,
14

Large, wood roof without stairway

Small, corbel

I.

1622

61

116-118

38 c

55''

7, 11,

14

II.

List of Tombs.

141

Tomb
Nnmber
N.

Descriptive

Photograph
Figure
of

Pottery

Stone
Vessels
PI.

Other
Objects
PI.

Place

Referred
to in

Tomb
PI.

Photo-

on Map
I.

Text

Text
P-

Tomb Type

Date

No.

graph
PI.

P-

1623

63

114-116
63,

...

Y2
X
2

7,

11

Closed corbel
Large, wood roof without stairway

IIMV.
I.

1624

35

64

12.b

7, 10, 11,

14

1625

22

23

...

X2
'

10

wood
1626

Small, roof

I.

55 22
19

93,

94

36-d

X2
X
2

7,9,10,14

Large, corbel with stairway

Small,

Late

II.

1627

10

IL?

wood roof
1628
1629
1630
12,

13

25
62 25 24 60 20
16
16
17

41,

42
38'^.b.d

X2 Y2
Y
1

10

B n

I.

10
7, 11,

I.

120, 121

14

Small, corbel with entrance

II.

1631

40
37
111-115

...

Yl
Z
1

10

wood
1632 1633
10
7,

Small, roof

II.

IL?
II.

391'

Z
.42

11, 14

Small, corbel

with entrance
1634
16, 17

...

XI
XI XI XI V
1

10

wood
1635
1636 a
1636i>

Small, roof

I.

4a-d

17'

Basket burial
...

II.?

4a-d

17i>

Mud box
3,

1637

26 23
64

45

...

10

wood
1638
1639
30, 31

Small, roof
n

II.

W2
15
c

10

I.

130

VB

Large,

I.?

wood
1640

roof

63 26
25
21

128, 129

...

W2
.
.

Small, closed corbel

m-iv.
II.

1641

46

...

V2

3, 10, 11

wood
1642 1643

Small, roof
n
n

43
21

V2
13=

10 10
10

II.
I.
I.

1644 1645 1646

1647

23
18
17

W
Map Map
8-11
II II

2 2

181
16 d
15.''

Indeterminable

II. ?

18

Y2 X2
Z
1

Mud box
10

IL?
I.

Small,

wood roof
1648

60 24 24 25
18
18

91, 110

35^ 39a

7,9,11,14

Small, corbel with entrance

II.

1649

Y
14c

10

Small,

...

wood roof
1650
1651

10

...
...
I.

Map

II

1652 1653

Y2 X2 X2

Indeterminable
n

Small, wood roof

I.

142
-_

List of Tombs.

Cemetery N.
Descriptive

3000.

Took
Number
N.

Photograph
Figure
of

Stone
Pottery
1

Other
Objects
PI.

Place

References
in

Tomb
PI.

Vessels
PI.

on Map
III.

Text
P-

Tomb Type

Date

Text
P-

No.

PI.

3001

82 83
85

157 157

57b, 75d

72

...

aooe 30U3
3011

72f

133

61
...

74
...

72f
72t
...

68
77 74 79
81

1^
145-146

C-B C-B B-D C-B C-B

65

Corbel vault?
n

II. II.

65
65 65

Stone slab roof

ii.-ni.
II.

wood
3012 3013
3014 3015 3016

Small, roof

60,61''
60-i>,

72b
41c, 72b

...

7, 14,

65

Small, corbel

II.

with entrance

140

690

...

...

D-A
B-D

7,

65

Large, corbel with entrance

Small, corbel with entrance
n

II.

149-151

64,65
67.f

74.

...

...

7,12,14,65

II.

156-156

72c

D-A
C-B

7, 7,

65 65

II.

69

135

73b

70"

Large, wood roof without

stair

I.?

3017

72

138,139
138 138
.

58,59,69.i>

74b

71 a.

B-D B-D B-D

C-B

7,

65

Large, corbel with stair

Pottery box

II.

3018
3019
3021

85
87 84
77

67<>,68

73c
.

65

II.

65
65,

Stone slabs
...

IV.?

66

3022 3023 302i

147, 148

57 , 61-63
69f

75c

72^

...

B-D
B-D

7,12,14,65

Small, corbel with entrance

II.

84
83

160-162

751'

...

...

7,

65

wood
158
.

Small, roof?

...

72b

>

BD
C-B

65

Indeterminable
Burial in hole

III.

3025 3026

86 86 75
83
67

751

72b

65
65
7,

am
3051

141-144

66,67''.c

VOb
75=

70 b

73c

C-D A-C
C-B C-B

Oval

65

mud box Large corbel

II.

II.

with stairway
159
131

69'
...

72d
72d
...

65
65 65

Small, corbel?

II.?
II.

3f?

75 b

wood
H(K>3

Small, roof

80

152-154

67 .b

75<:

72

...

D-A
C-B
C-B

7,

Small, corbel with entrance

II.

305t 3066
3061

68
83 85
71

132

...

...

72b

...

65 65 65
7,

wood
t
. > .

Small, roof

II.

Small, corbel?

163
141, 135, 136

681'

72 b
. . .

73c

B-D

Pottery box

3062

66

AC
. .

65

Large,

wood

I.?

roof with

stairway
3063
3071

82
71

141, 137

671

...

72b

...

AC AC
C-B C-B C-B C-B C-B C-B
'

65
7,

65

Small, corbel with stairway

II.

3072
3091

84

65 65
65

86
87

164

68<=.f

74.
> > .

73
.
.

43c

Mud box
Burial in hole

II.

3092 3093 3094 3150

68=.

if

. .

rv.?

85

68c.

65 65
65

85
87
*

751

73

...

Accidental
deposit

II.

LIST OF PLATES.
Frontispiece.

General view from the

I.

cliff
2.

above the camp looking south.

2000.
3.

Girga in the distance.

4.

Cemetery

3000.
hill

Cemetery
Cemetery

Cemetery

1000.

Cemetery
Cemetery

1500.

Plate

I,

General view from the

above Cemetery 3500 looking southeast. Mesaid and Meshaikh

i.

are in the distance,

4.

3000.

2.

Cemetery

2000.

3.

looo.

Cemetery

1500.

Plate

2.

General views:
a.

Looking north from the

river bank.

S.

marks Sheikh Farag.

as a.
2.

i.

The

first

ravine.
3.

b.

Looking northeast from the same spot

third ravine,

The second

ravine.

The

and Naga-ed-Der.

c.

nearer view of the desert between the second and the third ravines.
1500
:

Plate

3.

Views of Cemetery
a.

From

the limestone
1500.

hill,

from the point marked

on

(b),

looking west over

Cemetery
b.

From
itself

the cultivation looking east over

is

Cemetery

1500.

The view

of the cemetery
hill.

obscured by the dump-heaps.

The

marks the limestone

Plate 4.

N.

1532,

tomb of

the wood-roofed type without stairway, after the removal of the

gold ornaments.

Looking down from the edge of the west

cross wall.

side.

Meter

staff

on top of south
Plate
5.

N.

1532,
a.

views of the gold ornaments in position.

Head with

the circlet and the necklace. the skeleton.

b.
c.

More distant view showing the remains of View of chambers A, B and C.

the main pieces of the gold find.
i.

Plate 6.

N.

1532,

The

capsule with the inlaid Neit-sign

The bull with the Hathor-head girdle about the neck (reverse on PI. 9). 3. The male gazelle with the ss girdle about the neck (reverse on PI. 9). 4. The univalve shells of beaten gold. The underside is shown in the right hand shell in the top row. 5. The beads of a compressed barrel shape with indented pattern. 6. The golden tips of the copper girdle (?).
(reverse

on

PI. 9).

2.

Plate

7.

N.

1532,
I.

strings

of beads.

Carnelian and hard speckled stone beads, arranged according to order found

in fragments except there

may have been more

Carnelian.
4, 5, 6.

than three carnelian beads between

filled

two speckled
gold beads.
correct.

beads.
8.

2, 3.

Thin gold

with cement.

7.

Solid

Tentative stringing of gold and carnelian beads, certainly not

9, 10.

Broken gold beads.

)44

^"i^T

*^ Plates.

Phte

Sy.

N.

1552,

beads.

Camelkn nibukr and

barrel-shaped beads.
3;.

2.

Middle bead
is

is

of haematite^

and the odiers are of camelian.

Middle bead

a short barrel-shaped bead

4,

of haematite ; and the other three beads are of cameUan.

beryl (?\ ameth>-st and camelian.
5.

From
8.

left

to right,

Faded blue glazed paste beads

(fayencei.

6J
10,

7.

Soft grey stone and white shell (or limestone^ beads.

9.

Li^t green
short.

stone, tubular beads, very short.

II.

Dark green stone, tubular beads,

Garnet beads.

12.

Faded blue glazed beads (feyence). g

seal

16.

CameUan beads.

Plate 9.

N.

1532, flint, slate,

a.

gold and copper bracelets,

d, nos.
i,

cylinder &c.

Reverse of H.

and

5.

b.

Gold

rings,
seal

shown

also in d.
also in d. (see p.
31).

c Gold
d.

cyhnder and case shown

Gold

wire, seal cylinder and case.

Gold

circlet

or head band.
a broad

From

the

left,

a flint bracelet, a slate bracelet, a gold bracelet

and

copper bracelet in
(^see b.).

which are wedged two more gold

Hate
10.

bracelets,

Beneadi are two finger rings

Large tombs of the wood-roofed

a.

tN"pe

without stairway.
end.
n'l.

b.
c.

N. 1533. \'iew of substructure, looking down ftx>m the nordi N. iyo6. Logs of second, or upper, roof seen firom above isee PI.
N.
1506.

Meter

staff

Substructure , seen ftt>m the northern end looking down.

incised line in

S\-mbohc

doorway marked by
southern cross wall.

mud

plaster, visible

on northern hce of

Meter

staff

Pbte

u.

Large tombs of the wood-roofed

a.

t>"pe

widiout stairway.
77.

X.

i5o<J.

Traces of superstructvu-e ftt>m die soudiwest, see map pL

Hes east and west in the doorway.

The

meter
b.

staff

N.
N.

i>o<J,

superstructure.

Nearer new.

Meter

staff lies

east

and west in die

doorway.

c
d.

1506W

The

second, or upper, roof hes just above the white f, see

PI.

loK

Meter

staff

NN.

1621.

Natural strata and

filling
t>."pe,

debris at the south end.

Meter

staff

Plate

12.

Large tombs of the wood-roofed

a.
i<Si4,

without stairway.

substructure fix)m the north, looking

down.

b.

N.

1624, substructure ftt>m the south.

Addinonal chambers in the nordi end

with s>'mbolic door marked in die

plaster.

c
d.

N. N.

1608, substructure 1668, substructure.

ftom the north looking down.

Broken by plunderers.
north end mat4i:ed with

Wooden

roofing

beam

at the

a t, seen fix)m the south.

Plate
15.

Small wood-roofitd tombs with a single chamber, without stairway.

a.

N. i6o6

ftx>m the east,

showing the wooden roofing logs on top the

visible
just

walls.
is

Traces of mud-brick cover are

above meter.

On

the

left

b.

Copnc burial extended on the back, head west. N. 1606. Brickwork on west side, stripped of its

plaster.

List of Plates.

45

Plate

13.

c.

N.

1643.

Looking dowTi from the west. Shows Looking down from the west.
staff.

traces

of wooden roof.

On

the

left a

Coptic burial extended on back, head west.

d.

N.

1501.

Mud-brick of roof and ends of logs

just

under meter

Plate 14.

Various small tombs.

a.

N. N.

i<$o4.

Looking down from the north, showing fragments of

burial.

b.

1582.

From
coffin

the north, showing floor of coffin and fragments of alabaster

between
c.

and

wall.

Taken

after PI. 17".

d.
e.

N. 1649. From the west. N. 1538 a. From the south, showing wall of N. 1505 superstructure built over pot. View looking east between N. 1513 and N. 1584. In the foreground are N. 1631
and
MS43.

In the centre
p.

is

1525.

f.

N.

1607a and

From

the south.

Note wooden

logs

on

right,

and Coptic

burials in the

background.

Plate

15.

Various wood-roofed tombs.

a.

N.
N.

1647.

From

the south.
logs and mud-brick as found

b.

1647.

Near view of roof of

on west

side.

c.

From the east. N. 1539. From

N. N. N.
1525.

the northeast.

Note remains of Coptic

burial.

Plate

16.

Burials in boxes.
a.

Boxes

and

11,

looking

down from

the west side, but reversed in

the reproduction.
b.
1525.

Box

II,

looking
I.

down from
looking

the west side, showing pots which

were

underneath Box
c.

1525.

Box
is

II

burial,

down from

the west side.

The bottom of

the picture
d.

at the

bottom of the
looking

plate, like a.

N.

1646.

Mud box
Wooden

down from

the west end.

Plate

17.

Burials in boxes.
a.

N. N. N.
N.

1582.

box, from the north.

Taken before
east.

PI. 14''.

b.
c.

i6}6.
i(5o2.

Burial in a

mud

box, from the

east.

Mud

box, from the

d.

1522.

Pots under a large boulder.

Plate

18.

Various
a.

burials.
1535.

N.

Contracted burial with the lower part cut away by a Coptic burial

extended on the back, head west.

picture
b.
is

Seen from the

east:

the bottom of the

towards the bottom of the book.

N.

1535.

Contracted burial (fragmentary) in a

burial

mud

box, from the

east.

Remains

of Coptic

wrapped

in cloth to the left of the box.

burial in a mud-plastered basked.

c N.
d.

1635.

Remains of contracted
is

The mud-

brick wall

cut up by Coptic burials of which

burial,

we found

remains in place,

N.

1645.
I.

Contracted

from the

east.
'9

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

146
Plate
19.

List of Plates.

N.

1512,

large

wood-roofed tomb with stairway.

Substructure seen from the east side,

looking down.
Plate 20.

N.

15U, large
a.

wood-roofed tomb with

stairway.

Mud-brick block in door

consist
Plaster

at foot

of

stair,

seen from the inside.

All courses
alternating.

of headers, bricks on the edge and bricks on the side of doorway on right
Pile
side,

bulged under pressure.

b.

Chamber D.
the east side.

of stone vessels and pottery in situ seen from above, from

c.

N.

1512,

substructure, with stone vessels and pottery in position.

Staff
is

Looking down

from the north end.

Plate
21.

two meters

long.

N. N.

1581, 1581,
a.

large large

wood-roofed tomb with stairway. wood-roofed tomb with stairway.

substructure.
crosses.

Substructure seen from the east side.

Plate 22.

North end of
is

The

position of the roofing logs of the

two

roofs

shown by white

b.

Superstructure from the south, marked by white crosses.

Note Coptic
by Coptic

burials,

extended on back, head west.

c.

Superstructure.

Near view of niches

on

in the southern face, cut

burials.

Plate

23.

N.

1581
a.

and two small graves.

1581,
1581,

N.

flint

knife

floor in

Chamber A, marked by white

burial beside

cross.

b.
c.

N.
N.

the only stone vessels and pots found in position, seen from the north.

1592.

Remains of contracted

fragment of decayed brick wall.

The
d.

bracelets

were

in the debris less than 10

cm above

the spot

where they

are lying.

N.

1529.

From

above, from the east side.

Plate 24.

N.

1513,

large

corbel -roofed

tomb with

stairway.

Substructure from the east side.

The

stone vessels and the pottery in the background on the right have been

removed from the northeastern chamber.

on the
Plate 25.
left

The

fragments in the background

were found

in the debris, mostly in the central chamber.

N.

1513,

large

corbel -roofed

tomb with

stairway.

Substructure with contents from

PI. 24.
it

the west side south of the stairway, taken at the same stage as
the remains of the burial in the central chamber.

Note
lies
i

The

stone near

on
was

the

floor

about 10

found in the
Plate i6.

cm below the debris. The skeleton

tomb with

point where the copper blade

in

No.

Room B

is

seen under the stone vessels.

N.

1513,

large corbel-roofed

stairway.

a.

The

northeastern corner in process of excavation showing complete decay of

walls.

mud-brick
b.
c.

Looking northeast.
skeleton.

North end with remains of second

South end of central chamber
large corbel-roofed
(c),

Looking down from the

east side.

showing brickwork.

Looking south.

Plate 27.

N.

1514,
a.

tomb with

stairway.
east.

Substructure and stairway from the

Substructure from the north.

b.

List of Plates.

47

Plate 27.

c.

Substructure from the south.

The bottom of

the picture

is

towards the bottom

of the book,
d.

Substructure, south end, from above.

Showing men hunting

for cross walls

of end chambers.
Plate 28.

N.

1514,
a.

large corbel-roofed

tomb with

stairway.
first

South side of doorway, showing hole containing decayed remains of the

wooden
b.

log of the roof over the doorway.

Stairway with mud-brick block seen from the west over the south end of the
vault of 1584.

The

vault

is

cut by a Coptic burial, extended on back, head west.

c.

N.
N.

1514,
1514,

superstructure.

Offering niches in the west face, seen from the west.

d.

superstructure,

from the south.

The meter

staff lies at right angles to

the wall between superstructure proper and enclosing wall.

Plate 29.

N.

1584, large

corbel-roofed
east

tomb with

stairway.

The top of the when we began excavations. The line of

Seen from the
side.

stairway

showed on the
is

surface

the present surface

seen under

the dump-heaps in the background.

Plate 30.

N.

1584, large
a.

corbel-roofed

tomb with

stairway.

Structural details.

South end of vault with cross wall and south side of doorway seen from the
north.

See

b.

b.

Larger view of south side of doorway.

crosses, see
fig.

Wooden

roofing logs marked with white

80

90.

western section of the

The upper cross marks the level of the doorway. The lower crosses mark the The brickwork on
is

roof of the
level

of the

roof of the eastern section of the doorway; and the right hand lower cross

marks the separation between the two.

the right of the

middle cross and below the top

cross

part of the

door block.

Above,

remains of Coptic burial are seen on a level with upper cross,

c.

Stairway and blocked entrance seen from the west.

cross
walls

Roofing logs over doorway

salty

on

level

with top of meter

Just

staff.

band of

gravel clings to

and door block

under roof
and

level.

d.

Joint

between corbel

vault

cross

wall

in

south

end of

vault.

From

the north.
Plate
31.

N.

1571,
a.

N.

1S26

and

1572,

large corbel-roofed

tombs with

stairway.

N. N.
50

1571,

N.

1526.

Objects

situ

on

floor.

Cross walls could not be traced.

Looking down from the north end.

b.
1571,

N.
N.

1526, Small objects

(Nos.

23

28)

seen from above.

The meter
22),

is

cm
1571,

long.
1525.

c.

N.
the

Stone vessels, bracelet and pots (Nos. 1017,

seen from

east.
1572.

d.

N.

Looking down on
floor

traces
side

of contracted
vault.

burial

on

the left side, head

east,

on the

on south

of main
stairway.

Plate

32.

N.

i58(J,

large corbel-roofed

tomb with

Substructure from the

east.
19*

48
53.

List or Plates.

Plate

N.

158(5
a.

and

1515,

large corbel-roofed

tombs with

stairway.

Details.

N. N.

158(5 j
1515,

inside

of south end of central chamber.

at foot

b.

entrance

of stair, blocked with

mud

brick.

Plaster partly

removed
35"^.

showing roofing log over doorway.

c.

From

the west.

Taken

after PI.

N.
N.

158(5,

wasp-nests on plaster

on west

face of central chamber, south of doorway.

d.

158(5,

groin in southeastern corner of central chamber.

Plate 34.

N.

i(5o5,
a.

large corbel-roofed
floor,

tomb with
looking

stairway.

Stone vessels on

down from
Shows

the east side.

b.

Pottery in the northeastern corner.

find corbel.

cutting

made by me

in effort to

c.

Stairway

as

found,

filled

with stones, from the

east.

d.

Stairway cleared from the west.

The

log roof of the

doorway

crosses at the
filled

upper end of meter

staff".

The

hole through the door-block was found

with gravel, and was probably a hole made by plunderers.

Plate
35.

N.

i(5o5
a.

and

1515,

large corbel-roofed

tombs with stairway.

north of stairway of
PI. 39".

N.
N.

1(548,

a small imitative corbel just

i6o,

and

earlier

than

that stairway.
b.
c.

From

the south.
(?)

See

i6o, skeleton
1515,

of calf

in the southwestern chamber, seen

from above.

N.
by

stairway with blocked entrance seen from the west.

first

The
this

plaster

of

the door-block was laid over the

a

log of the roof of the doorway, marked

staff".

ridge
off"

visible

at

cm

80

90

on the

PI. 33

''

shows

log after

stripping
d.

the greater part of the plaster.

N.

1515,

southeastern corner.
is

The
a

gravel filling

between the corbel and the upper

brick cover
Plate
3(5.

marked with

white cross.
stairway, perhaps the
latest large

N.

152(5,

large

corbel-roofed

tomb with

corbel in

the cemetery.
a.

Looking down on roof from the south. The

except
at the

plaster has

been stripped

off the roof,

southern end.

This picture has been reversed in the reproduction.

at

b.

Pots in the northeastern corner of main chamber, hole in door-block and

the top of the picture the small holes containing decayed remains of roofing
logs
c.

of the doorway.
curve of truncated vault which comprises the doorway,

The doorway, showing

the hole through the door-block and the remains of the roofing logs across
the top of the doorway.
d.

From

the inside.

The
is,

same, from the outside.

The

roofing log, marked with white crosses,

as usual, plastered over.

Plate 37.

Imitative corbel-roofed
a.

tombs with entrance.

N.

i6u,

substructure, seen from the west.

Shows curvature of the

inside

of

the corbel and of the doorways into the small chambers.

b.

N.

i(5n,

entrance of substructure seen from the south.

The mud

bricks in the

lower part of the stairway belong to the door-block.

List of Plates.

j49

Plate

37.

c.

d.

N. 1%, entrance and substructure from the northeast. Door-block across entrance, N. 1619, remains of roofing logs of doorway visible on east side of doorway.
tombs with entrance,

Plate

38.

Imitative corbel-roofed
a.

N. N.

1530, 1^30,

pottery in the northeastern corner.

eastern end,

b.

showing curvature of the inside of the

a plant

vault.

The

sticks

protruding from the walls are the roots of

walls
c.

which have penetrated the

from above.
substructure seen from the west.

N.
N.

1622,

d.

1^30, substructure

from the southwest.

(?)

Note
brick,

the doorway, consisting of a truncated

corbel, blocked with

mud

and the make-weight of the corbel on the outside.

is

The

hole in the

upper right corner

Plate 39.

Coptic grave.

Imitative corbel-roofed
a.

tombs with entrance.

of western
wall.
is

N. N.

1548, section
;

The
clear.

bricks have decayed except in the

upper

courses
b.

but the make-weight

See PL

35^.

1^33,

doorway with door-block, from the

logs.

north.

The meter

staff

is

on

level
c.

with the roofing

N. N.
N. N.

1523,

from the west.

door-block cut by N.
1616.

d.
e.
f.

15^2,
1612,

From

the south,

from the north.

from the southwest.

1614,

Plate 40.

Flint
a.

and copper implements and weapons.

On
the

the right, a
left,

flint

knife

from N.
1514,

1581,

(No.

i,

See

PI. 23*

and

fig. 65).

On
i
:

flint

knife

from N.
a,

(No. 48,

See

PI. 27=

and

fig. 77,

marked
2.

with white cross and also

b.

b).

Both

sides are roughly

1538,

worked.

Scale

Flint knife

from

158(5,

nodules (marbles?) from

1581.

and worked chips fi-om

1515, 1538,

3551, 1529, 571 (sic!)

and

The

underside

is

slightly concave, as seen in the second,

the fourth, the ninth and the tenth chips in the lowest row.
c.

Scale,

about
i

4,

Copper implements from N,

1513

(Nos.
2'' is

3,

see PI, 25 and

fig. 85).
3 is

No,

is

below;

No,

is

above on the
about
i
:

left;
4,

No,

above on the right; No,

on the middle

right.

Scale,

Plate

41.

Beads, ornaments and toilet pots.

a.

Above, beads from N.

in

1^04.

On

the

left,

tubular beads of light green stone;

the middle three barrel-shaped carnelian beads;

Scale i:i.

on the

right,

faded blue

glazed paste beads (fayence).

In the middle,

two

strings

of beads from N.
(?)

1584.

No.

5^ are
i
:

of garnet;
i.

No.

5''

are of carnelian and glazed steatite

left
is

alternating.

Scale

Below on the

fragment of

crystal

cup the outside of which

is

carved in relief (by rubbing) to imitate a lotus flower.

see
fig. 68,

From N.
a lot

1512

(No.

6j,

found in room
6^).

about
i
:

10

cm

above floor with

of

slate splinters

belonging to No.

Scale

i.

50

List of Plates.

Below on the
from N.
Plate 41.
b.
1571

right
28,

is

the half of a bivalve shell for holding a cosmetic,

(No.

see
slate
52).

31''

and

fig.

76).

Scale
1513

i.

Above on
first

the

left a

bracelet

from N.
in

(found about 20
tvvro

cm

above the

skeleton, see p.
bracelet
1541.

Above

the middle

slate bracelets,

and one

flint

from N.

1592 (see PI. 23=).

Above on

the right, one

bone bracelet

from N.

In the second are bracelets from N. 1584 (No. 4) from the

a
slate

left, a flint

bracelet,

bracelet,

two fragments of

flint

bracelet and three fragments of at

least three

ivory bracelets.
left,

Below on the

an ivory ladle with the

tip

of the handle missing, from

N,

1574

(No.

i).

Below

in the middle, fragments of an ivory cup or ladle, with

a handle

(on the right) and ornamented with a rope pattern in relief from
27,

N.

1571

(No.

see

PI.

31''

and

fig. 76).

Below on the

right fragments
27

of

flint
i
:

bracelet and fragments of copper needles

c.

from N. i6os (No.

28).

Scale

4.

Above on

the

left,

cosmetic dish consisting of two hollow pieces which,

when

fitted

together, have the form of an animal's head (bull?).

a

The

dish

opens by revolving one of the pieces about

eyes were inlaid with shell discs.

string hinge at the neck.

12

The
fig. 91).

From N.
Eye

1^05 (No.

13,

see PI. 34* and

On
(No.

the right

is

the half of a similar dish in the form of a fish from

N.

1571

29, see PI.

31''

and

fig. y6).

inlaid

with

shell

disc.

In the second

row on
first

the
jar

left,

two
is
is

small cylindrical jars

and

a large

pendant
is

from N.

1584.
;

The

(1584, 7)

of volcanic ash; the second

of
slate.

(1584, 6)

of alabaster

and the pendant

1514

(1584, 8)

On

the right

is

a small ivory

knob

(?)

from N.

(No.

50).

Below on the
see PI.
31''

left are

two

small vessels of slate

from

1571

(Nos.

23

and

24,

and

fig. 76).

On
is

the right with the

number

559

is

a small jar

of

basalt

with two handles

from the third dynasty tomb N.

a

559.

On

the extreme right with the

number

30,

small two-handled jar of black

15,

stone with a cord pattern from N.

3013

(No.
Plate 42.

see p.

75).

Scale

4.

Beads.

Above
(No.

are

two beads and

pendant of

shell

(or limestone)

and

necklace

of tubular beads of
9).

soft dark grey stone

and of

shell

or limestone, from N. 15^2

are of similar tubular beads

The second and

1531 P

third necklaces

from above
is

from N.

and N.

1501.

The

lowest necklace
shell.

composed of
1^03.

disc beads
i.

of

similar material

and one univalve

seal

From N.
side

Scale

Plate 43.

Cylinder
a.

seals

and

mud

impressions.
ball.

Two

views of a

mud

On

one
lines.
1591,
i,

two

holes

(string

holes)

on the

other one, impression of hatched

b.
c.

CyUnder
Cylinder

seal seal

of black stone, N.

much worn.

of wood, N.

3091, 4,

half decayed.

List of Plates.

J5J
1514.

Plate 43.

d.
e.
f.

Mud

impression of
seal

cylinder

seal,

N.

Cylinder

of dark grey stone, N.

55

1^05, 8, nearly

new.

,,

1604,

2,

worn.

g-

KJ05, 9,
1605, 7,
1501,
I,

much worn.
worn,

h.
i.

worn,
nearly new. nearly new.'

j.

1605,
15^2,

6,
3,

k.
1.

1605, 160s,

5,
3,

m.
n.
o.

1605, 4,

much worn. much worn. much worn.

slightly

Scale
I:

I.

160s,
1605,

I,

worn,
worn.

p.

2,

slightly

Plate 44.

Inscriptions

on cylinder on

seals,

staniol impressions
PI. 43.

and photographs of ends of

Seal

seals,

q.
z.

Inscriptions

seals

represented in

is

the gold seal

N.

1532, Fl. 9.

v^

Above on

the right are copies of five

to publish

seals,

very kindly given

for comparison.

me by
These
is

Mr. P. E.
are
all

Newberry with permission

private possession except y,

them

in

which

is

in the Strassburg

Museum and

published

with the kind permission of Prof. Spiegelberg.

h, g, k,
k,

m,
r,

o.

Below
f,

are photographs of staniol impressions of five of these seals."

m,

h,

o, g,

b.

Below on the
and

left are

the photographs of eight seals showing the ends

Seal r
is

and the holes through the

teristic large hole,
is

seals.

a fourth

dynasty

seal

with

a charac-

shown
Scale
I

for comparison.
:

I.

Plate 45.

Stone vessels from

a.

first

dynasty tombs.
1512.

Stone vessels from N.

in white.

The numbers of

the objects in the

tomb
Nos.

are given

Nos.

41, z6,

are of limestone.

Nos.

20, 40, 30 (misprint for 20), 48, 15,

35,
i,

are
12,

of
63,

alabaster.

Nos. 20 and 30 are parts of the same bowl.

14

6,

64,

13,

5),

and

34,

are of slate.

Nos.
ash.

42, 24, 39
i
:

and the unnumbered

bowl (from the

b.

debris) are
1581.

of volcanic

Scale
left,
is

6.
(i

Stone vessels from N.

2

Above from

the

the cylindrical jars

ash.

= 1581,
rest

2;

1581, 3)

are

of

alabaster.

The

next bowl

of volcanic
i

The

of

the vessels are of alabaster.

the debris in the
Plate 46.

All these,

except
i
:

(2)

and

2 (3)

were found in

tomb chamber.

Scale

6.

Stone
a.

vessels.

Stone vessels from

a first

dynasty tomb, N.
in the

1532.

The unnumbered
Those

fragments

above were

all

found in the debris

tomb.

in the top

row

are

slate; those in the

second row are of volcanic

ash, except the dark piece

on

'

On

p. 118,

by

a misprint, o and k are interchanged; but

o^N.

1605,

I,

and k

= N.

1562, as above.

In this group, p is a misprint for k.

j52
the right,

List of Plates.

which
3

is

of dark opaque diorite

i

(?).

Below,

is

of dark-veined

porous stone;
volcanic ash.
Plate 46.
b.

is

of alabaster;
i
:

is

of

light blue volcanic ash;

is

of green

Scale
a

6.
1513.

Stone vessels from

second dynasty tomb, N.

Above, calcareous

alabaster, 28, 58, 35, 19, 53, 23, 35, 4.

5,

Belows the unnumbered piece, no.

hard blue volcanic ash.

and two unnumbered pieces are of

and

38

Nos. 46 and 47 are of dark-veined volcanic ash; 44 are of hard volcanic ash; and 54 is of light blue volcanic ash.
vessels in the

The
Plate 47.
a.

bottom row
from
a

are

of

slate

18,

26,

20,

22.
1513.

Scale

6.

Limestone and alabaster

vessels
is

second dynasty tomb, N.

rest

Top
of

row, No. 30

alabaster.

The

of the row are of limestone

41,
33

49, unare

numbered, and 9
fine hard

are

of

fine pink red-veined limestone;

and 29

white limestone.

The
b.

rest

of the

vessels in 47" are

jars.

all

of

alabaster.

Scale

6.

Alabaster cylindrical

6z and 66 (in

Type I: 39, 15, 52, 17, 48, 40, id (all in top row); second row). Type P: ss ^^^ ^3 (iri second row). Type I"=: 57
top row)
;

(numbered
43 (in
Plate 48.

37 in

56^,
i
:

64,

and 60

(in

second row)

37,

6^3,

27,

6i

and

bottom row).

Scale

6.

Stone vessels from second dynasty tombs N. 158^ and N.

a.

1514.

N.

1585,

all

found

in debris.
;

Counting from the

alabaster.

left

above
:

is

slate

i
:

are of volcanic ash

5 is

of

In the second
;

row
of

ash
b.

5 are

of red and white brecchia

slate vessels

and 6

are of volcanic

7 are

alabaster.

Scale
5,

6.
11,

Volcanic ash and

21

from N.

1514.

In the top row, Nos.

8,

2,

are

of volcanic
23

ash.
18

In the second
are

row,

and 20 are of brecchia-like

volcanic ash;

and

of volcanic

ash.
all

The
c.

vessels in the third

and the bottom rows are

of
alabaster,

of

slate.

Scale

6.

N.

1514.

All
22

the
is

vessels are
fine hard

except 22 in the middle of the top

?)

line.

No.

of

white limestone (marble

1571

with black veins.

Scale

6.

Plate 49.

Stone vessels from a second dynasty tomb, N.

a.

N.

i$z6.

Volcanic

ash, slate

and other stone

vessels.

DIAGRAM OF THE
2
slate

PIECES IN PL.
X31
slate

49*.

8
slate

X32
slate

X37
fine vole.

x }6
black
I

X35
St.

X 34
grey vole.

X33
fine vole.
I

X 30
brecchia-like vole.
II

black basalt

4
impure
7
slate

X38
slate

vole, ash

fine vole.

vole.
5
slate

X 40
slate

X39
slate

Scale
'

i:

6.
to in Chapt.

The unnumbered

pieces

were

found in the debris in the

tomb and are referred

XI under

the

numbers given

in this list.

List of Plates,

J53

Plate 49.

b.

Alabaster vessels.

DIAGRAM OF VESSELS IN
15

PL. 49".
3

X44
X 43

X45
X 46
25

41

X 42 X 50

26

X 47

X 48 X
51

X 49
13

6
12.

X 52
Seale 1:6.

Plate 50.

Groups of
a.

vessels

from
25
is

different

second dynasty tombs.

14,
10,

N. N.
13,

1605.
;

No.
No.
and

of white limestone;
22,

slate;

16, voleanic ash;

24, blaek

basalt
b.

II,

blaek basalt ;
5

voleanie ash ;

alabaster.

Seale

6.

1515.
II,
I

10 are plates

of pebble polished, red-painted, brown pottery;

;

and 4 are of
1535.

alabaster

is

of voleanic

ash.

Seale

6.

c.

N.
of

1513

N.

1523,

No. No.

5,

is

of red and white brecehia; the

rest,

Nos.

2,

i,

3,

4, are

alabaster.

N.
N.

1535,

2,

on

the

left,

is

of alabaster
.

No.

i,

on the

right,

is

of

slate.

Scale 1:6.
d.
1882.

This tomb
500,

is

a small corbel

with entrance lying between Gem. 1500

late

and Gem.

and

is

probably of the

second dynasty.

The

vessels, all

of alabaster except
also
3

2 (limestone), are given here for comparison.

There were
bowl

jars

of pottery, type V.

N.

1881,

adjoining this tomb, contained in the

debris an intrusive Goptie burial, and was

like 1882,
3

empty except

for part of a

(stone vessel, type

XXIV),

Plate

51.

Stone vessels and pottery from second dynasty tombs,

a.

N.

1572,

stone vessels.

DIAGRAM OF STONE VESSELS IN

^3

PL. 5I^
3
'.

24
alab.

2
alab.
I

25

X 16
alab.

alab.

alab.

alab.
21

X18'
vole.

19

X 20
vole.

22

alab.

vole.

alab.

alab.

14

15'

1(5

X17
vole.

vole.

vole.

vole.

xn'
slate

12

X13
slate

slate

Scale
'

i;.6.

Referred

to

on

p.
p.

io8 under XVIIb. 23 as 1572,

8.

^ '

Referred to on

109 under XVIII,

1

12, as
5,

1572, x.

Referred to on

p.

09 under XVIII,
I.

as 1572, x.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

54
51.

List of Plates.

Plate

b.

N.

is6i (or 1615),

5,

stone vessels and pottery.

rest are
2, 3,

See

p. 59.

Nos.

and

are

of

alabaster;
c.

of limestone; the
1616.

of pottery.
are

Pottery from 1614 and

first

Nos.

from

1614.

Nos.

i,

4, 5 are

from

1616.

Plate 52.

Pottery from
a.

dynasty tombs.

N. N.

1581,
1512,

pottery from the floor stratum of debris.

pottery.
first

Types VI,

VII,

IX and V.

b.

Plate ss-

Pottery from the

a.

dynasty tomb N.
painted

1532.

Pebble-pohshed, red

bowls and
i

plates

of brown ware.
2 are

These

are
3,

numbered
is

in order
20.

on the

plate
is

3.

Nos.
56.

i,

bowls

1532, 5, 8, 9.

No.
17

bowl

1532,

No.

4,

bowl

1532,

Nos. 515 are bowls

1532, 10,

1532,

21

24,

26

30, 35

I,

38, 68.
II,

Nos. 16

19,

23 are plates

39

49, 52, 55, 66.

h.

Pottery of types
first

V, XXI, XXII.

Plate 54.

Pottery from
a.

dynasty tombs.
pieces are in the top
3

N.

1525.

The unnumbered
i,

row
28;

No.

33

beside 27
23

No.
and

above 29; No.

above 30; No.

22.

between 24 and

No. 4 between N.

32,

and No. 6 beside

h.

Scale 1:6.

Pottery from various tombs.

On

the

left, a

piece of type
3

I,

1532, 33.

Above, Above,

two

pieces

from N.

1529,

being No. 4 (type IX) and

(type XIV'^).
are pieces

on the
5,

right,

two
1

pieces from

N. 1606 (type

X).

Below

1533,

2,

4,

6,

7.

Scale

6.

Plate 55.

Pottery from various tombs.

a.

On

the

left,

above,

is

N.

1521%

type
1602,

XXIV
3

and XIX*.

Below
i,

is

1522,

i,

type XIV"*.

In the

middle,
2 (type

N.

16, type
(type

XXIV"

XVIII, and V.

On
b.

the right,

N.

1522,

XXIV''), and

XIIP) and two unnumbered

pieces (type

XXIV
left,

and type VI).

Scale 1:6.

Pottery from second dynasty tombs.

On

the

N.

i6iz,

10.

On

the right,

N.

1^05.

Above
Scale

are three pots

this

of type IX, found

in debris

above and therefore not certainly from

15

tomb.

Below, three pots selected from Nos.

Plate 56.

21

(type V).

6.

Pottery in
a.

tomb
the

groups.
first

On

left,

dynasty pottery from N.

1514.
1513.

1501.

On

the right second dynasty

pottery from
b.

N.

Second dynasty pottery from N.

'

N. 1537 by mistake.
Mentioned on
p.

95 under

XW^

as 1522, 3

by

misprint.

List of Plates.

155

CEMETERY
Plate 57.

N. 3000.

General views of Cemetery 3000.

a.

Cem. 3000 from above

(mainly sixth dynasty).

the

camp looking

west.

In the foreground

is

Cem.

3100

b.

Debris from the limekilns in Cem. 3000.

northwest.

In the foreground

N.

3001.

Looking

c.

Surface of

Cem. 3000

after

removing limekiln

debris.

Looking more west than

is

b.

N.

3001

is

in right middle foreground.

first

The

surface in the foreground

not

the old cemetery surface, but the

intact

surface of the hard alluvial strata found

is

under the limekiln

(see

debris.
III,

The
PI, 78).

surface seen in the background

the old

cemetery surface
d.

Map
3014

The

eastern

half

of Cem. 3000

after

removing

debris.

Looking north.

The

surface seen above

N.

is

the old second dynasty surface, see explanatory

note under
Plate 58.

c.

N.

3017,

view of stone

vessels

and pottery in position in the

interior.

Seen looking

down from
and door
threshold
is

the east side.

Note

the line marking division between door-block

just

above pot on

left

of background; and to the

See
PI. ^^^ a

left

the stone

visible

under the doorblock.

57**

e,

and

69, a

b.

For

superstructure, see PI.

Plate S9-

on the
and N.

left.

Details of corbel vaults,

a.

N.

3017

3013.

N. N. N.
us.

3013,

looking

east

down

entrance slope

at

doorway with door-block

in

position.
b.
3017,

See

c.

looking east

down

entrance slope from a point nearer than

a.

Shows

circular limekiln in place in entrance slope.

c.

3017,

view of doorway, looking

east,

with hole cut through door-block by

The
3017,

dark line above the door-block marks the

vessels
in place,

d.

N. N.
pit.

view of

wooden roof of doorway. looking down from north end. Note the

limestone slab supporting corbel across the southeastern corner.

e.

3017,

limestone chips used as filHng between the vault and the sides of the

Seen in the northwestern corner, looking northwest.

3013,

f N.
Plate 60.

corbel vault, looking

down from

the north.

Note

fusing of bricks in vault.

Corbel
a.

vaults.
3013
3013,

South end of N.

showing stone

vessels,

from the north.

See

PI. 69'^.

b.

North end of N.
south.

showing skeleton and pottery, looking down from the

See

PI. 69".

c.

N.

3012,

looking north.

N.

3014 in the background.

The
N.

ancient surface
is

is

seen under the black stratum above the vault.

The

black stratum

undoubtedly
See
20*

composed of the decayed

brick of the superstructure of

3012.

PI.

6&.

56
d.
e.

List

<>f

Plates.

N. N.

3012,

nearer view, looking north.

3012, interior, as

found on opening the

vault.

Plate

61.

Corbel vault N.
a.

3022.
3022.

Looking north over 3003 and Looking west over

3022

b.

and

3012.

The

debris has been cleared

away around

3022

down
Plate 62.
Series
a.

to the

first

hard

alluvial

deposit.

The
N.

ancient surface was about 50

cm

above the roof of 3022.

Note

the limestone chips in north part of corbel of

vault,

3012.

showing

stages in

opening corbel

3022.

Doorway from
Shows
bricks

the south after removing limestone chips piled about doorway.

piled
against

door-block and plaster covering door-block and

loose bricks.
b.

Same, after removing loose

bricks.

Shows door-block

plastered in upper part

above
c.

line

of loose bricks.

Same, after removing plaster from door-block. Same, after removing door-block. Same, after cutting away outer section of corbel.
only open end of corbel
vault.

d.
e.

Shows

that

doorway

is

f End of vault

after cutting

away front

part and top,

from the

east,

looking down.

Shows
Plate 53.

interlacing of bricks of the

series

end and the

side

of the corbel.

Continuation of
a.

N.

3022.
vault,

Section

of back end of

looking north.

Shows condition of

interior

buried in fallen plaster and broken mud-bricks

b.
c.

as it

was when vault was opened.

interior.

Same

as a, after

removing

rest

of vault and the debris from the

the

Interior

of N. 3022 looking
coffin.

down from

north

end.

Note

outline

of

wooden
d.

Same

as c, after

removing pottery.
3014.

Shows bones of

offerings in pans.

Plate 64.

Series
a.

showing opening of N.
Vault from south.

b.
c.

Same, after southeastern corner

fell

off.

Same, after removing plaster from door-block.

Vault from southwest, after removing front of
Section of corbel and interior, as found
vault.

d.
e.

when opened.
3014.

Plate 65.

Continuation of series relating to opening of B.

a.

Section of vault and interior after clearing out debris.

Interior of vaults after
that walls

From

the south.

b.

removing

debris.

Looking down from the south.

Note

of end chamber do not support roof, and that end chamber contains

one
Plate 66.
Plate
6-].

pot.
30(^2,

General view of

3031

and

3071,

looking

down from

the southeast.

Small corbel-roofed tombs.

a.

N. 3053, entrance and N.

3053, interior

roof,

from the north. Note limestone chips embedded in mud.

north).

b.

from the doorway (from the

List of Plates.

J57
east.

Plate

6'].

c.

N.
N.

3071,

log over

doorway seen from the

Incline filled with limestone

chips;
d.
e.

doorway blocked with mud-brick.

burial

3071,
3015,

and

vessels,

looking

N.
N.

substructure with burial,

side.

down from the east side. looking down from the east.
looking

Note

traces

of entrance on west
f.

3015,

interior with burial

and

vessels,

down from

the west side.

Plate

(58.

Burials in boxes
a.

and

in holes.

N.

3018,

looking

b.
c.

N. N.

3o5i,

looking

down from down from

the south side. the east side.

(see p. 85

3091, 3092
(in

and 3093 from the south

87).

d.

N. 3092

the foreground), 3091 (the

mud box
side. side.

in the center)

and 3093

(in

the

background), nearer view from the north (see

e.
f.

p. 85

87).

N. 3092,^ looking

N.
PL

3091,"

looking

down from the west down from the north

At

the top
3091.

is

seen the end of 3093.

cylinder

The
43

beads in the potsherd

<^,

come from neck of

on the
left.

The wooden

was

in the pot (type IX)

Plate 59.

Miscellaneous views.
a.

N.

3017,

same view

as PI. 58,

with numbered cards showing tomb numbers of

various vessels (see p. 72

b.

73).

N.

3017,
I

view of
21

vessels in north

end from the south.

Numbered

cards indicate

nos.
c.

(see p. 72

73).

N. 3013, interior with

vessels in place, looking

down from above (see PI. 59*^, and 60^'

stair

*>).

d.
e.
f.

N. N. N. N. N.

3042, inclined corridor

3051,

and intrusive Coptic

from the

east.

vessels in place, looking

down from

the

east.

3023, interior,

looking down, from north end.

Plate 70.

Stone vessels from corbel-roofed tombs of the second dynasty.

a.

T,oi6.

Nos.

7,

15,

and

20, are slate:

No. 6^ and

14,

are limestone:

and the

rest are alabaster.

b.
3031.

DIAGRAM OF VESSELS IN
II

PL.

70".
2
alab.
I

17

16
alab.

alab.
12

alab.

alab.

alab<

14
alab.

7
alab.

15

18

13

alab.

alab.
1st.

alab.

alab

10
bl. pol.

12"'

5*
slate

9
vole.

vole.

vole.

pottery

4
alab.
'

30
alab.
'

31

alab.

By

mistake numbered N. 3091 on PI. 68=.

I

By

mistake numbered N. 3092 on PI. 68'.

Numbered

by mistake.

Numbered

2"

by mistake.

58
71.

List of Plates.

Plate

Stone vessels from N.

a.

3017, a

corbel-roofed

tomb of

the second dynasty.

(65,

In the top

row
(63,

are plates without rims,

25).

two of limestone

49),

and two

of alabaster

In the second row,

alabaster, rimless.

37

and 26 are of limestone with rims;

32

and

35

of

In

the

third row,

6^ (with rim) and

33

(without rim),

are

of limestone;

62 and

28, alabaster,
23

with rims.
is

Below,
alabaster.
b.

with rim
i
:

hmestone:

24,

with rim, and 47, without rim, are

Scale

(7).

In the top row,

all

are of alabaster.

In the second row, 60 and 41* (the upper piece, bowl with spout) are of

white and yellow limestone respectively

39

is

pebble

34

is

of volcanic ash

and the
In

rest are alabaster.

is

the lowest row, 54

is

of volcanic ash;
7).

22

is

red and white brecchia,

and
Plate 72.

31

slate.

Scale 1:6

{6.

Stone vessels from various tomb of the second dynasty.

a.

N.
N.

3001.

b.
c.

3024, 3054, 3025, 30I2, 3011,

3015.

and

3013.

N. N. N.
N.

d.
e.
f.

3052 (four pieces above)

3053.

and N.

3051

(two pieces).

3022 (three pieces, Nos.

3,

8,

9),

3222,

3471 (three pieces,

Nos.

4, 7,

5),

30^1,

3003, 3002

and

}z6i.

Plate

73.

Stone
a.

vessels,

pottery and beads of the second dynasty.

3150

Stone vessels from N.

(four pieces,

Nos.

4)

and

3091.

N.

3501 in the

lower right corner

in the first ravine.
b.
c.

is

of alabaster and comes from an early sixth dynasty tomb

Pottery from
Beads from

30KJ.

3031,

3o5i

and

3018.

Above, on the
In the middle,

left,
30(^1,

3031,
2,

6 and

13",

see p. j6.

see p. 86.

Below, N.
Plate 74.

3018, 4, see p. 85.

Pottery from tombs of the second dynasty.

a.

Pottery from various tombs,

Pottery from
3017.

30(^1,

3071,

3014, 3091, 3003, 3018.

b.

Plate

75.

Miscellaneous views.
a.

N.

3025,

looking

down from
3023.
3051,

the west.
Scale 1:6.
3053.

b.
c.

Pottery from 3052 and

Pottery from 3022,

and

Scale

6.

d.

Stone

vessels, 3150 in place

between N.

3001

and

3021,

from the south.

List of Plates.

59

Plate yd.

Map

I.

Map of Cemetery

1500, scale

$26.^

The

corbel vaults are represented in red

which marks roughly therefore the second dynasty tombs.

the second dynasty are shaded.

The tombs
B.,
z.

later

than

The

shaded tombs north of 1^47 in

is

strips a

and

X are of the

12

18

dynasty.

Below

a section

through A.
lines v

and

section
list

showing the elevation of the surface through the

In the

of

tombs on

p. 139,

the strips v

z are
N.

those in which these letters stand

z); strip

on

this
left;

map
strip

(i.

e.
is

on

the right of the lines v

A
is

is

the end strip

on the

the part

below

line

A B,

and

strip 2

the part above line

1584.

A B.

Plate 77.

Map

II.

Plan of the group of tombs

io6, 1514

and

Scale

122.*

The
Plate 78.

substructures are shaded; the superstructures are hatched; the restored

outlines are indicated

by dotted
3000.

lines.

Map

III.

Map of Cemetery
p. 139,

Structures and pits in red are later than the second dynasty.

In the hst

of tombs on

the strips

A C, C B,

D, D A
Made by
F.

are the

segments

between the
Plate 79.

lines bearing those letters.

site

Map

IV.
to

General map of the

of Naga-ed-Der.

W.

Green, added

by G. A. Reisner, and

finished

and inked
printer.

in

by N. de G. Davies.

Scale
Scale

50O was intended, but the map was inaccurately reduced by the
100 was ordered, but
i
:

'

122 resulted from inaccurate reduction by the printer.

>D

'

CORRECTIONS.

On

p.

3,

marginal note at bottom, instead of

On

p.

oI

under Type

a 6 read
;

Sebah

4,
1.

digrginj: read

Sebalj di^rging.
,,
,,

a 6
loi,

1513, 40, 48
I

1586, X

1612, x.

17, instead of

under Type
c 4

c 4, read:

sebbl^&in read sebbaljin.

1513, 27,
I-

64

1514,

29

1582, X

7>

1-

^5 from below, instead of 1508 read 1608. 3

3015,

(the

108,

li

'

from below, omit 3023

next to
109,

under Type XVII b 23, instead of 1572, 8 (v.) read 1571, x 18 (v.). under Type XVIII
5,

the last

number

in the line).

instead of
11

14,

1.

5 from below, instead of

,,

1572, X (v.) read 1571. X

109,

(s.).

1521 read 1621.

21,

1.

6, instead of

under Type XVIII 12, instead of 1572, X (s.) read 1571. x 15 (s.).
in list of cylinder seals

Bowls read Bowl.

w 39>
1-

119,

under 43 o
i.

44

o,

I3> instead of

instead of 1562, 3 read 1605,

type VI read type

65,
1.

(?).

and under 43 k
1605,
I

44 k instead of

13 from below, instead of

in the

read 1562, 3.

and four are holes

read:

ground

(3019,

3092, 3033, 3025)

and three are holes

in the

ground

On
>>

PI.

44

below on

left,

instead of p read k.

(3019. 3092. 3025).

I,

55a, instead of

N N

1527 read
3091

N
N N

1521.

tt

95>

'

8 from below, instead of b = 1522, I. read b = 1522, 6 from below, instead of

3.

x.

68e,

3092.
3091.

95,

68 f,
70b,

N 3092

1.

1522, 3

and *I586, x. read b 1522, i and *I586,

13 read 12a and 12 a read 5.

Printed

by C. G. ROder G.m.b.H.,

Leipzig.

cariy

uynasuu ^emeieries

i.

PL

I.

a.

View

looking north.

S.

Sheilih Farag.

I.

Tlic first ravine.

b.

View continuous with

a.

2.

Second

ravine.

3.

Third ravine.

c.

View

of desert between second and third ravine, looking northeast.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PL

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PL

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

<ti-

'

r-^

w...^::<r.u.-<^,-....

,-x^^ii^.^,i^^^^J^e*s^

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

a
a

.S
o

PI.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

1.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries L

.1

ft

>

^ /.-..-.f,.^
'''fe.

'"'
" :

,
1

*..

o r-

>

A9

.'5-^
-

*
.

..

f-

<

#'

'

"^S

m
lit

\-N
^

>
'1
'1

*
;;

V
1

; m
4'

)'V
'1
.,

v^

^'

^
._

%!
^

'

I.

t
,

i
!

1
,
,

tfm'^r--

1 i.
1

*'

*\
JI

y
to

i
\

n
1

fvj

\ r

/
/

*i

'
1

4>

s
.
It

1;.

1^

IV
*

I
*
/

.^

r.

.-.-t^-

-.11- 1

?1. 8

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

1.

e
tr

Early D)mastic Cemeteries

I.

PL

9.

a.

Reverse of

PI.

(1

nos.

I,

and

3.

b.

Gold

rings.

c.

Gold cylinder and case

(4).

d.

Gold wire, cylinder and case.

Gold

circlet.

Flint, slate, gold

and copper bracelets.

N. 1532.

Gold

find.

PL
Early Dynastic Cemeteries
I.

PI.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PI.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PI.

a.

N. 1C04.

Remains of skeleton on

floor,

from

nortli.

b.

N. 1582.

Fiom

the noitli.

c.

N. 1649.

From

the west.

d.

N.

1538

a.

Under enclosing wall

of

1506.

From

the south.

w^SB^^^BSfS'v'''.'

-^_

^1

""*

''

1-%
e.

Cem. N. 1500.

Looking

c.nst

Lctween 1513 and 1584.

f.

N.

6(17.

From the

south.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

"^

O)

m. J^ jt'^ ^ T^Tr-:

g-.

-^'JC-.l'-T

M
Co

PI.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

%^

sh

'L.-^

Early Dyncistic Cemeteries

1.

ii .^.

1
I

LiiH ^ig..
JM^Bfc^-l^'^"
1

t^

I'^tT^HM

-^^

"^-"'^

PI.

i(

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

1.

*^'.

f
r.
^*

'^

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

F
44s
1
'

'

J''
/
.'

""

'

^ ^I^H

o u

PI.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

^
*

^
^.
s

\v i'
.%

11

lMhr\

4l

mS& I

PI. 2

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

mm.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

i^^^^H^^^I
L:"

V^i^jj^^UHNH

^^H ^^^^^23^H
^^^^^^^H

Hp^^l
^^T
'^'^^^H
.

*.^^^|

.^^H
^

^^v

''^^^H

tf^^l

^Hd^P
^^L^Hfe

'^^H
I
-r

^^ii
,

Hi ^^^H
^^^^^^1

^^^^^H^^^l
^^^^^^^^^^H

-'^i'-

^l
'

m
'^^
.:.

^^H
.

^H
_

^/
V'9tr*is*^
,.

MMl

.
.

^H

^H ^i

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PL

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PI. 2b.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries L

PL

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

s u
o c

i
..>:

-as aiisa'

.Av

;:
.

PI,

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

^-

in

PI. 29.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

U 5

Pi. 4:

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

1.

a.

N.

1512.

Stone vessels.

r II
1
<Z
,'*-'

^M ^^J>\
b.

B^^^^^^^^HH|

^^^^^^^^^^^^H

*>.^^H^HHHHpPHHiiMi4|^^^^^
N. 1581.

Stone vessels.

Harly Dynastic Cemeteries

Fl.
I.

46

a.

N.

1532.

Sione vessels.

b.

N.

1513

Stone vessels.

PI.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

1.

a.

N.

3.

Alabaster.

b.

N. 1513.

Alabaster.

PL
Early Dynastic Cemeteries L

4I

b.

N. 1514.

Stone vessels.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

PI. 4c
I.

a.

N.

526.

Volcanic ash, slate and other stone vessels.

b.

N.

1526.

Alabaster.

PI,

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PI. 51-

Karly Dynastic Cemeteries

1.

a.

N.

1572.

Alabaster, volcanic ash and slate.

b.

N.

iblj.

Stone vessels and Pottery.

c.

N.

1614

(2,

3,

())

and N. ibiO

(r,

4,

5) Pottery.

PI. 5=-

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

a.

N. 1581.

Pottery from floor stratum.

b.

N. 1512.

Pottery.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PI.

a.

N. 1532.

Red

polished Pottery.

69-65

r^aiiy

uyiiasuu v^eiiietenes

l.

PI.

54.

a.

N. 1525.

Pottery.

b.

N.

1532,

1529,

1606 and 1533.

Pottery.

Karly Dynastic Cemeteries

1.

PI.

a.

R F L^
[

ti<wj*'Jti:*>h^-_j*i.Ai5*i

1^

^^^^^^^^!SS?

^^^^^^^^^^BH^^^^^^^^^^^^^HBst^

ij L J^^^
^h|^^^^^^H^^^^^^K*9

iHHHIBiHKI

PIHRH^^^^^^^^^^I
b.

| f^ r t^4^^ n iU^ ^i
Pottery.
I
:

6.

"^
hhII

1^

^ttPttlV

^^^^^-'Vrt

^^^K!

^^^^^^

j^H

^^^H^H

Pottery.

ifae

az*'-^

SOI and 1514..

Pottery.
I

:6

i'l.

57-

a.

Cim. 3000, from above looking west.

I).

Lime-kilii

debris west of N. 3001.

c.

Surface after removal of limekiln debris.

PI. c5

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

Earfy Dynastic Cemeteries

PL

X. 5017.

Stairwcr

door-block.

X. 3017.

Hole it doorUock.

e.

N. 3017.

X. 3013.

Vai*

friai Ike aonii.

a.

N. 3013.

Interior, south end.

b.

N. 3013.

Interior,

north end.

c.

N. 3012.

Vault, from the south.

d.

N. 3012.

Doorway.

-W^'

e.

N. 3012.

Interior.

<N

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

mi- "

a.

N. 3003 and j02

2.

From

the south.

b.

N. 3022 and 3012.

From

the cast.

>

-I

Early Dynastic Cemeteries L

PI.

6j

"W

m C^
.:

a.

Bricks before door.

b.

Plastered blocking in door.

c.

Door-blocking.

d.

Door.

e.

Section of vault.

f.

Construction of vault at northeast corner.

N. 3022.

W
M

i.!^^^

m
mm

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PI.

a.

Vault, from south.

b.

Vault, after south east corner

fell

oH.

c.

Door

blocking.

d.

Doorway and

section of vault.

e.

Interior of vault.

PI. 65.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

1.

v,^

PI. 66.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PI.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

b.

N. 3053.

Hjcterior,

from north.

a-

N. 3053.

Interior from

doorway.

^ ^

\f^^

sw

.~^,.

v^
'*J^rd.

N. 3071.

Log over doorway.

c.

N. 3071.

Burial from above, from east side.

f.

N. 30'S-

race s

ot

entrance on west side.

e.

N. 3015.

Burial from above, from

west

side.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries L

PI. 61

a.

N. 3018,

From above from south

side.

c.

N. 3091 and 3092.

Fr^m

tlie

iiuclli

d.

N.

31 19

and J092.

Nearer view.

e.

iN.

309;.

Sliclcloii,

from above, from vvcsf side.

f.

N. 3091.

Burial,

from above, from north side.

PI. 69.

a.

N. 3017, vessels

22-56, from

the east.

b.

N. 3017, vessels

I 21,

from the south.

c.

N. 3013, position of contents, from the north.

d.

N. 3041, from the east.

.'

f/n^

^Bmd
e.

N. 3051, from above from the cast.

f.

N. jH23, from above from the north.

PI.

70.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries L

a.

N. 301b.

Stone vessels.

b.

N. 3031.

Stone vessels.

PL
Early Dynastic Cemeteries
1.

71.

a.

N. 3017.

Stone vessels.

b.

N. 3017.

Stone vessels.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

1.

PI. 72

a.

N. 3001.

Alabaster and limestone.

b.

N. 3024,

3054,

3025,

3011,

3012,

3013.

Stone vessels.

c.

N. 3015.

Stone vessels

d.

N. 3051,

3052.

Stone vessels.

e.

jf^S.^-

Stone vessels.

f.

N. 3022,

3222,

3071,

3061,

3003,

3002,

3261.

Stone vessels

Jl^

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

PI. 73.
1.

>

Early Djmastic Cemeteries L

PI. 74.

a.

Pottery.

:6.

b.

N. 3017.

Pottery.

6.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

PI.

J.

C. Hinrichs, Leipzig.

Early Dynastic Cemeteries L

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Early Dynastic Cemeteries

I.

MAP CEMETERY 3000

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Map

III.

Early Dynastic Ce.Tieteries

I.

PI.

79

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FEB 2

1989

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