Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

SAQQARA

EGYPT

INSCRIBED VESSELS OF NY-PEPY

In the burial chamber of Shaft 32, evidently
robbed in antiquity, some remnants of fune-
rary equipment were found in its northern
part. Among these, a set of miniature in-
scribed copper vessels (inv. no. S/04/12a-k)
[Fig. 2] consisting of six bowls (H. 15-17 mm;
Dia. 46-51 mm); one cup (H. 47 mm, Dia.
78/89 mm); and two miniature nmst-jars
(H. 44-45 mm, Dia. 31-34 mm), all with
identical inscriptions:
ffrn ° Q Q
hrj-pr pr-njswt Nj-Ppjj;
Majordomo of the royal palace Ny-Pepy

This name and title are attested on two
elements of a false-door frame found in
Chapel 5, adjoining Shaft 32 on the east.7
It is noteworthy that the title occurs here
in the same rare form that can be seen on
the frame.8 Dispersed human bones (burial
no. 396) found in the burial chamber of
Shaft 32 have been identified as the re-
mains of a male individual.9 The data points
to an official named Ny-Pepy who would
have been the owner of a tomb complex
consisting of a small mud-brick mastaba
with Chapel 5 in its eastern part and Shaft
32 in the center.


Fig. 2. One of the miniature copper vessels found in Shaft 32
(Photo K. Kuraszkiewicz)

7 Cf. K. Kuraszkiewicz, "Inscribed objects from the Old Kingdom necropolis west of the Step Pyramid", ArOr 70 (2002),
361-363 (with previous bibliography).
8 Ibid., 363, n. 46.
9 Personal communication from Prof. M. Kaczmarek.

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