DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4860#0044
THE TOMB OF USERHET
eled in the main on the designs used at El Amarna,1 the actual reception
by the king being omitted and only adumbrated by a very summary
drawing of the palace which occupies the center of the scene. At least
it recalls the fagade or enclosure of the palace and does not at all resemble
a temple. Yet we see behind it two Osirid statues of the king of South
Egypt clothed in a short tunic, like those that lined the approach to the
earlier temple at Deir el Bahri.2 Slabs for offering are set beside them.
Farther still to the right an altar (?) is seen, and servants are preparing
food or bringing supplies. On the left Userhet "the priest, foremost in
the palace" (or possibly "high-priest in the temple of the king"), is leav-
ing the building which had been the scene of this gratifying mark of
honor, surrounded by servants and a very zareba of bouquets. His
neck is encumbered with gold necklaces, and his lifted arms exhibit his
bracelets to his friends. The jewelry which he cannot accommodate on
his person is set out on the table. His womenkind come out to greet
him with music and acclamation. Hatshepsut has not been forgotten
by the king, if, as seems, earrings are among his gifts, and the attendant
has something for her in his hands. The women's chanted applause of
the king's generosity is recorded: "[Great is] the wealth of him (?) who
recognizes those given by Amon to make glad his heart, Pharaoh, lord
of Egypt. Thou shalt give wealth to generations yet unborn, 0 Pha-
raoh, lord of every one of us."3 Userhet's chariot is waiting for him, the
groom at the horses' heads,4 and the driver chatting with the doorkeeper.
Neither is the wherewithal for a banquet lacking; again a gift, it may be,
from the king's table.
The second register shows the funeral convoy moving towards the
resting place of the dead in the west. The model boat, with the elabo-
rate shrine in which the coffin is enclosed, is being drawn by three cows.
1 Cf. Davies, El Amarna, II, Pis. XI, XXXVI; V, PI. IX; VI, Pis. V, XX, XXX; also Bulletin of MM.A.,
Nov. 1921, Part II, pp. ai-»3.
2 The statues are still less suitable to a dwelling of Userhet, which, besides, would be on the left. Whether
the two statues are balanced by a pair wearing the crown of Upper Egypt cannot now be determined with cer-
tainty.
3Cf. Davies, El Amarna, I, PI. VIII; III, p. i3.
4 This detail is on a corner piece of sandstone from the lining of the west reveal of the entrance.
His
rewards
in life
His honors
in death
25
eled in the main on the designs used at El Amarna,1 the actual reception
by the king being omitted and only adumbrated by a very summary
drawing of the palace which occupies the center of the scene. At least
it recalls the fagade or enclosure of the palace and does not at all resemble
a temple. Yet we see behind it two Osirid statues of the king of South
Egypt clothed in a short tunic, like those that lined the approach to the
earlier temple at Deir el Bahri.2 Slabs for offering are set beside them.
Farther still to the right an altar (?) is seen, and servants are preparing
food or bringing supplies. On the left Userhet "the priest, foremost in
the palace" (or possibly "high-priest in the temple of the king"), is leav-
ing the building which had been the scene of this gratifying mark of
honor, surrounded by servants and a very zareba of bouquets. His
neck is encumbered with gold necklaces, and his lifted arms exhibit his
bracelets to his friends. The jewelry which he cannot accommodate on
his person is set out on the table. His womenkind come out to greet
him with music and acclamation. Hatshepsut has not been forgotten
by the king, if, as seems, earrings are among his gifts, and the attendant
has something for her in his hands. The women's chanted applause of
the king's generosity is recorded: "[Great is] the wealth of him (?) who
recognizes those given by Amon to make glad his heart, Pharaoh, lord
of Egypt. Thou shalt give wealth to generations yet unborn, 0 Pha-
raoh, lord of every one of us."3 Userhet's chariot is waiting for him, the
groom at the horses' heads,4 and the driver chatting with the doorkeeper.
Neither is the wherewithal for a banquet lacking; again a gift, it may be,
from the king's table.
The second register shows the funeral convoy moving towards the
resting place of the dead in the west. The model boat, with the elabo-
rate shrine in which the coffin is enclosed, is being drawn by three cows.
1 Cf. Davies, El Amarna, II, Pis. XI, XXXVI; V, PI. IX; VI, Pis. V, XX, XXX; also Bulletin of MM.A.,
Nov. 1921, Part II, pp. ai-»3.
2 The statues are still less suitable to a dwelling of Userhet, which, besides, would be on the left. Whether
the two statues are balanced by a pair wearing the crown of Upper Egypt cannot now be determined with cer-
tainty.
3Cf. Davies, El Amarna, I, PI. VIII; III, p. i3.
4 This detail is on a corner piece of sandstone from the lining of the west reveal of the entrance.
His
rewards
in life
His honors
in death
25