Anth.309: Ppt. lecture-11: Dynasty 3 historical background, the Sed-festival, selected monuments (especially the Step Pyramid & its complex), and various achievements (Anth.309: Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids, by G. Mumford, 2023)

ANT 309: Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids (Predyn.–Second Intermediate Period: 5000-1550 BC) Lecture 11: Dynasty 3: Step Pyramids. © Notes & images compiled by Gregory Mumford 2023 Instructor tips for lectures, etc.: (1). Attend class regularly (& listen) … → Many clarifications, tips, announcements, reinforcement & reviews of materials/concepts. (2). Take notes on lectures, etc. … → The act of writing down notes, even with most course materials and instructions online, serves as an invaluable aid to one focusing on a class topic and retaining information better. (3). Complete the required textbook readings, and/or review the ppt., prior to the specific class day … → This will provide greater clarity and comprehension of the material, and will enable asking focused questions where something may be less clear (in the textbook or lecture). (4). Ask questions during the class if you are confused/wish more data → The class is an ideal place to ask for more clarity or further information not contained in the textbook, ppt., and/or lecture (If nobody asks questions, the lecture proceeds …). (5). Complete optional materials: → Additional reinforcement, studying & bonus? https://howtostudyincollege.com/how-to-get-good-grades/note-taking-strategies/ Selected questions regarding Dynasty 3: Setting: • In Dynasty 3 we begin to emerge into another major period of transition, namely the Step Pyramid building phase at the advent of the Old Kingdom. • The Ancient Egyptians recognized this period, marking the name of King Djoser in red ink on one papyrus king list (Turin Canon) amongst hundreds of kings. • King Djoser’s architect, Imhotep, is singled out in the Late Period by the Greeks as the innovator of (monumental) construction in stone; = later deified. Questions: • How radical a departure was the introduction of the Step Pyramid as a royal tomb? … and What did it draw upon? What was truly revolutionary? • How did this innovative concept change the successive forms for later royal tombs in Egypt? i.e., Dynasties 4-8 and 12-13 (ca. 2700-1700 BC). • Can one trace tentative steps in monumental stone working and construction? • Just how significant is Djoser’s Step Pyramid complex? What does it tell us about the Sed-festival in relation to past and future rites during various reigns? • What else do we know about Dynasty 3? Its rulers? Its history? Etc. • How do “True Pyramids” emerge from this period? How do they differ and how are they similar to Step Pyramids? Is there commonality in layout & intent? The Sedfestival: Dynasty 3 & pharaonic period Heb-sed-festivals: Sed-festival: The Sed-festival was associated with the king’s demonstration and renewal of divine kingship. It is attested from the late Predynastic through to the Ptolemaic period. Despite textualtraditional, references to it,ritual … A 3,000-year royal and various depictions of its rites, much remains uncertain: a. The location of its celebration? b. The timing of celebrations? c. The ways it was celebrated? d. The sequence of events? e. The significance of each rite? The Egyptian term heb-sed is translated frequently as “jubilee”, but this is inaccurate since the Sed-festival appears to be held often It undoubtedly changed in its details, on a lesswith consistent basis (untilchanges later). probably additions, subtractions, Abydos: Dyn.1 king in Sedfestival garb Heb-sed-festivals: Sed-festival: The Sed-festivalWe washave associated various snippets with the king’s demonstration from different periods: Textual, pictorial, and and renewal of divine kingship. archaeological, but we It is attested fromreally the late knowPredynastic very little through to the Ptolemaic about thisperiod. key set of rites Despite textual references to it, and various depictions of its rites, much remains uncertain: a. The location of its celebration? b. The timing of celebrations? c. The ways it was celebrated? d. The sequence of events? e. The significance of each rite? The Egyptian term heb-sed is translated frequently as “jubilee”, but this is inaccurate since the Sed-festival often appears to be held on a less consistent basis (until later). Dyn.11: Montuhotep II Heb Sed robe Heb-sed-festivals: Known Sed-festivals: - Many, but not all, kings are known to have held a Sed-festival. - In later periods, many kings are known to have held a Sed-festival after 30 years of rule (in general) - Some, who reign less than 30 years, also hold a Sed-festival, possibly being elderly and wishing to celebrate this festival before they die - A few appear to choose not to celebrate a Sed-festival, either prior to, or after, 30 years of reign. Royal dress code: During this festival, the king is easily identified by wearing a short and form-fitting robe (not unlike a bath-robe). Akhenaten King Niuserre (Dyn.5) Heb-sed-festivals: Known Sed-festivals: Dyn.11: are known - Many, but not all, kings Montuto have held a Sed-festival. Hotep II kings are - In later periods, Dyn.3:many known to have held a Sed-festival Djoser after 30 years of rule (in general) - Some, who reign less than 30 years, also hold a Sed-festival, possibly being elderly and wishing to celebrate this festival before they die - A few appear to choose not to celebrate a Sed-festival, either prior to or after 30 years of reign. Royal dress code: During this festival, the king is easily identified by wearing a short and form-fitting robe (not unlike a bath-robe). Note: Other garments in Heb Sed … Dyn.11 King Montuhotep II wearing a sed-festival robe Dyn.5 King Niuserre in sed-festival robe Heb-sed-festivals: Sed-festival rites include: a. The king performing rituals to rejuvenate himself. b. The king renewed his powers of kingship physically: i.e., Demonstrating his ability to rule physically: i.e., be fit to rule. c. The king renewed his powers of kingship magically: i.e., Carrying out various rites that were expected to rejuvenate him spiritually and physically via the blessings of the deities. Dyn.3: King Djoser depicted running around two sets of three D-shaped markers: ritual sed-festival race displaying prowess Heb-sed-festivals: Dyn.1 docket The sed-festival rites include specifically: 1. A ritual race, called “encompassing the field,” involving walking / running around either a pair or set of 3 horseshoe-shaped markers. These seem to symbolize the limits of the king’s domination over Egypt (& possibly neighbouring areas). Dyn.3 Djoser During the race, the king is portrayed wearing (variously): a. The Red Crown (Lower Egypt [N]) b. White Crown (Upper Egypt [S]) c. Double Crown (The Two Lands) d. Tight-fitting Sed-robe Dyn. 5 Heb-sed-festivals: The king also holds: a. a flail (symbol of punishment) b. a baton(?) in the other hand. Later texts refer to the “baton” as a mks-container, which contained the king’s legal written deed (imit-pr) to the control/rule of all Egypt. Some past scholars theorized that in Predynastic times the king needed to demonstrate his physical ability to continue ruling. This speculation included the notion that should the king fail to complete the race, he would either be killed(?) ritually, or abdicate(?) the throne. Dyn.5: King Niuserre running sed-race Wearing shendyet-kilt with bull’s tail, holding a flail and a mks-baton. Heb-sed-festivals: The king also holds: a. a flail (symbol of punishment) b. a baton(?) in the other hand. 30 Later texts refer to the baton as a mks-container, which contained the king’s legal written deed (imit-pr) to the control of all Egypt. Some past scholars theorized that in Predynastic times the king needed to demonstrate his physical ability to continue ruling: i.e., still fit to rule Speculation on predyn. Heb Sed: One speculation includes the notion that should the king fail to complete the race, he would either be (a). killed(?) ritually, or (b). abdicate(?) the throne. Heb-sed-festivals: 2. Two ritual crownings of the king on a raised dais with two stairs and on two thrones (side-by-side): - as king of Upper Egypt (South) wearing the White Crown of UE - as king of Lower Egypt (North) wearing the Red Crown of LE Dyn.5: King Niuserre Heb-sed-festivals: 2. Two ritual crownings of the king on a raised dais with two stairs and on two thrones (side-by-side): The twin thrones form the Egyptian hieroglyph that encapsulates the precise concept of the Sed-festival: the dual enthronement. The king is portrayed in the robe of the Sed-festival in separate and dual crownings. Dyn.12 Senwosret III double pavilion Combined glyphs O-22: open booth for sh. (“counsel”) W-3: calcite basin for Šś (“alabaster”) → heb: “festival” Believed to be initially a heb sed festival kiosk for Senwosret I’s sed festival. “When the chapel was first built it may have originally been used as a festival kiosk for Senwosret I’s first heb sed. Holes in the floor between the four interior columns indicate where poles might have been that held curtains, obscuring view of the king by the public while he sat on the double throne. During the reign of Amenemhat III or Amenemhat IV though, the chapel was converted into a barque shrine, ” Senwosret I’s White Chapel at Karnak: LINK: https://www.brown.edu › courses › files See 3D model with zoom-in, multiple views, etc. Dynasty 12: Senwosret I LINK: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/white-chapel-of-senwosret-i-at-karnak-5011f21e92d14650857fe14c50f3f7d5 Heb-sed-festivals: Robing-pavillion: In later portrayals of Sed-festivals, the king uses a robing-chamber consisting of a makeshift pavilion where he could change before each crowning: i.e., readying himself for each rite. For example, … Djoser’s Step Pyramid complex contains several imitations in stone of such transitory structures: Wooden framing supporting reed and matting walls and fixtures. Dyn.5: King Niuserre Heb-sed-festivals: Robing-pavillion: In later portrayals of Sed-festivals, the king uses a robing-chamber consisting of a makeshift pavilion where he could change before each crowning: i.e., readying himself for each rite. For example, … Djoser’s Step Pyramid complex contains several imitations in stone of such transitory structures: Wooden framing supporting reed and matting walls and fixtures. TEMPLE T: Step Pyr. Complex, Saqqara Heb-sed-festivals: The king also apparently required a temporary festival residence within the perimeter of the sed-festival complex: Two structures in the Step Pyramid complex contain one emblem each, designating their representation of southern and northern Egypt: “House of the North” (papyrus …) “House of the South” (sedge …) plant emblem of North It isPapyrus suggested that these two distinct buildings functioned in the Sed-festival as places: (a). where the king received officials and the nobility in his capacity of ruler of UE and as ruler of LE, → obtaining renewed oaths of allegiance (T3-mhw) Marsh Arab house (Iraq) Heb-sed-festivals: The king also apparently required a temporary festival residence within the perimeter of the sed-festival complex: Two structures in the Step Pyramid complex contain one emblem each, designate their representation of southern and northern Egypt: “House of the North” (papyrus …) “House of the South” (sedge …) It is suggested that these two distinct buildings functioned in the Sed-festival as places: (a). where the king received officials and the nobility in his capacity of ruler of UE and as ruler of LE, → obtaining renewed oaths of allegiance … ED carrying-chair: palanquin Heb-sed-festivals: National cult-statues of deities from Upper (S) and Lower (N) Egypt would congregate in temporary shrines within an enclosure: The king would carry out var. rites reaffirming his loyalties & offerings to Egypt’s main deities. The deities of South & North Egypt would bless the king, reaffirming their support and patronage of him: i.e., a reciprocal agreement between the state and the temple cults. Dyn.26 Apries’ palace sed-festival scene King before per-nu (LE/Delta) shrines; carrying chairs for nobles witnessing rite Heb-sed-festivals: National cult-statues of deities from Upper (S) and Lower (N) Egypt would congregate in temporary shrines within an enclosure: The king would carry out rites reaffirming his loyalties & offerings to Egypt’s main deities. The deities of South & North Egypt would bless the king, reaffirming their support and patronage of him: i.e., a reciprocal agreement between the state and the temple cults. Per-wer Upper Egyptian shrine (South) Per-nu Lower Egyptian shrine Dyn.26 Apries’ palace sed-festival scene (North) King before per-nu & per-wer shrines Heb-sed-festivals: Participants / witnesses: The Sed-festival presumably had both a variety of service staff, participants, and official witnesses: a. The ruler: main participant. His support staff/assistants b. The national deities (cult statues) Their support staff (priesthood) Participating symbolically through presumably more active rituals. c. Royal family members & officials Their support staff (chair-carriers) presumably mostly witnessing the rites, but probably actively also re-affirming their loyalty via various oaths and possibly symbolic gifts, etc. Dyn.26 Apries’ palace sed-festival scene The king accompanied by staff bringing sed-festival components for sed-rites … Heb-sed-festivals: Participants / witnesses: The Sed-festival presumably had both a variety of service staff, participants, and official witnesses: a. The ruler: main participant. His support staff/assistants b. The national deities (cult statues) Their support staff (priesthood) Participating symbolically through Dyn.1: docket with sed festival scene presumably more active rituals. c. Royal family members & officials Their support staff (chair-carriers) presumably mostly witnessing the rites, but probably actively also re-affirming their loyalty via various oaths and possibly symbolic gifts, etc. Heb-sed-festivals: Participants / witnesses: d. The setting: = apparently a centralized locality for erecting a temporary enclosed space with sufficient facilities for each event and accommodation for all participants, support staff, and witnesses. - Perhaps Dyns.1-2 enclosures at Abydos served such a purpose … - Perhaps the Dyn.3 enclosure at Saqqara immortalized a separate such enclosure: W. of Step Pyr.??? Late Dyn.2 Abydos enclosure: Normally levelled after king’s death Dyn.26 Apries’ palace sed-festival scene Makeshift nature of sed-festival structures suggested by setting beside palm trees. Dynasty 18: Amenhotep III’s palace complex at Malkata –Sed festival area … Dynasty 18: Amenhotep III Heb Sed Amenhotep III’s first Sed festival: • A-III’s sed-festivals took place within the grounds of his sprawling W. Bank palace complex at Malkata (Per-Hay: “House of Rejoicing”). • The palace complex contains a temple to Amun, which included a nearby festival hall built for Amenhotep III’s sed-festival. • Numerous potsherds from 100s of inscribed storage jars reveal their delivery for these sed-festivals. • The jars had contained diverse provisions, including wine, ale, animal fat, and meat. Dyn.5: Niuserre Sed-festival Amun temple at Malkata: Dyn.18 including sed-festival hall West Bank of Thebes: palace complex of Amenhotep III, Dyn.18. Partial exposure of several key areas: palaces, temples, housing, courtyards Festival hall (for Sed-festival) Amun Temple Dynasty 18: Amenhotep III Heb Sed Amenhotep III’s first Sed festival: • A-III’s sed-festivals took place within the grounds of his sprawling W. Bank palace complex at Malkata (Per-Hay: “House of Rejoicing”). • The palace complex contains a temple to Amun, which included a nearby festival hall built for Amenhotep III’s sed-festival. • Numerous potsherds from 100s of inscribed storage jars reveal their delivery for these sed-festivals. • The jars had contained diverse provisions, including wine, ale, animal fat, and meat. Dynasty 18: Amenhotep III Heb Sed Amenhotep III’s first Sed festival: • A-III’s sed-festivals took place within the grounds of his sprawling W. Bank palace complex at Malkata (Per-Hay: “House of Rejoicing”). • The palace complex contains a temple to Amun, which included a nearby festival hall built for Amenhotep III’s sed-festival. • Numerous potsherds from 100s of inscribed storage jars reveal their delivery for these sed-festivals. • The jars had contained diverse provisions, including wine, ale, animal fat, and meat. Dyn.5 sed festival … Dynasty 18: Amenhotep III Heb Sed Amenhotep III’s first Sed festival: Dyn.1 • The tomb of Kheruef records that Amenhotep III put much greater effort into researching & resurrecting a magnificent sed-festival following records of ancient traditions: “It was His Majesty who did this in accordance with the ancient writings; generations of men since the time of the ancestors had never celebrated Sed Festival rites, but it was commanded for [Kha]emmaat, the son of Amon …” https://www.osirisnet.net/tombes/nobles/kheru/e_kherouef_01.htm https://slideplayer.com/slide/4150560/ Dyn.3: Djoser Other ED-later royal rituals: a. The opening of the Canal b. Hunting the hippopotamus c. Presentation of tribute Opening of the Canal: In the late Predynastic, and later times, the king was responsible for the fertility of Egypt: the divine-appointed mediator between the populace and the gods. The King Scorpion mace head illustrates the king ritually opening an irrigation canal, which formed a key component in successful agriculture: = the backbone of Egypt’s economy and life. Dyn.1 dish bears the caption: “the opening of the lake/basin?, (named) ‘The-striding-of-the-gods,’ in Memphis” Dyn.0: King Scorpion mace-head Rite “opening irrigation canal” Hunting the Hippopotamus: The hippopotamus hunt ritual is preserved variously throughout the late Predynastic to Ptolemaic periods: Scorpion Macehead: possible frags. Palermo Stone: reference to King Den Decoration: depicted & described in a marshland accompanied by female musicians, dancers, and singers. Edfu Temple: female musicians. - Hippopotamuses represent exceedingly dangerous animals to Nile fishermen, and the riverbank inhabitants. - Reducing/ridding the Nile of such fierce enemies may have become one of the king’s ritualized duties, in his main role of promoting Maat (“order”) and defeating Isfet (“chaos”/”evil”). - Private noblemen are also depicted hunting hippos in Old Kingdom tombs. Old Kingdom hippo hunt Hunting the Hippopotamus: The hippopotamus hunt ritual is preserved variously throughout the late Predynastic to Ptolemaic periods: Scorpion Macehead: possible frags. Palermo Stone: reference to King Den Decoration: depicted & described in a marshland accompanied by female musicians, dancers, and singers. Edfu Temple: female musicians. - Hippopotamuses represent exceedingly dangerous animals to Nile fishermen, and the riverbank inhabitants. - Reducing/ridding the Nile of such fierce enemies may have become one of the king’s ritualized duties, in his main role of promoting Maat (“order”) and defeating Isfet (“chaos”/”evil”). - Private noblemen are also depicted hunting hippos in Old Kingdom tombs. Dyn.6: Tomb chapel of Mereruka, Hippopotamus hunting scene. Presentation of tribute/POWs: Late Predynastic through Pharaonic royal rituals included the presentation of tribute, possibly at the royal residence or in a formal court of royal appearance, and may reflect either: a. The outcome of a military campaign b. OR a more regular ceremony The presentation rite often includes: 1. Presentation of bound prisoners destined as labourers or for execution E.g., Narmer Macehead illustrates 3 POWs with a caption: 120,000. Their placement between territorial markers implies their subordination to the king’s/Egypt’s control. 2. The spoils of war in the Narmer Macehead also included: “400,000” cattle, and “1,422,000” sheep goats Dyn.1: King&Den docket Dyn. 0: Narmer palette Presentation of tribute/POWs: Late Predynastic through Pharaonic royal rituals included the presentation of tribute, possibly at the royal residence or in a formal court of royal appearance, and may reflect either: a. The outcome of a military campaign b. OR a more regular ceremony The presentation rite often includes: 1. Presentation of bound prisoners destined as labourers or for execution E.g., Narmer Macehead illustrates 3 POWs with a caption: 120,000. Their placement between territorial markers implies their subordination to the king’s/Egypt’s control. 2. The spoils of war in the Narmer Macehead also included: “400,000” cattle, and “1,422,000” sheep & goats Narmer macehead DYNASTY 3 rulers. ca. 2686 – 2613 BC - Manetho via Africanus Eusebius - Today evidence = 9 kings of Memphis = 8 kings of Memphis = 5 – 6 rulers (+ 7th candidate). (?) <Horus Sanakht> = (?)<Nebka> ("... [Neb]ka ...") (1) Horus Netjerikhet = Djoser (2) Horus Sekhemkhet = Djoserti / Djosertety (3) Horus Khaba = (?) (?) Horus [...] = Sedjes Houdjefa II (= GAP) (?) Horus [...] (Sanakht???) = Neferkare (7) Horus Qahedjet(?) = Huni DYNASTY 3: 1. KING DJOSER Dynasty 3: no. “1”: Djoser DJOSER: Horus (Serekh) Netjerykhet: -The name Djoser appears in later (MK) records and probably represents the birth-name of King Netjerykhet. -The names Netjerykhet and Djoser have been found together at the site of Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara. -In contemporary (Dyn. 3) inscriptions, Djoser is called by his serekh-name Netjerikhet -Later New Kingdom graffiti in his mortuary complex refer to him as Djoser. Dyn.3: Ka-spirit statue of Djoser Dynasty 3: no. “1”: Djoser DJOSER: Reign length: -Later king lists (Turin Canon) ascribe only 19 regnal years to Djoser -Unless these 19 years represent a biennial count for 38 years?, it is likely that Djoser reigned at least 30 years to celebrate one or more Sed-festivals. Dynasty 3: no. “1”: Djoser DJOSER: Historical and domestic events: -Although political turbulence occurred in the reigns of Djoser's predecessors, according to both contemporary and later accounts, by the time he ascended the throne Egypt had stabilized politically. -Aswan (Elephantine) later became the official southern boundary of Egypt. -However, we know relatively few details about the history of Djoser's reign, or the remainder of Dynasty 3. Dyn.3: DJOSER: Palermo Stone (Dyn. 5): • Some fluctuations in 4 Nile flood levels in Djoser's early years. Ptolemaic Famine Stela at Seheil - Later notes famine in Djoser’s reign. Dynasty 3: no. “1”: Djoser DJOSER: 1. Advent of Djoser’s reign → customary celebrations by performing rituals of (a) “the Union of the Two Lands“ (b) "the Circuit of the Wall“ (circuit around Memphis) → appearing as the King of UE & LE. 2. First full civic calendar year: Djoser performed ritual appearance as King of UE and King of LE at the Double Shrines (Two Lands). → aspects of this ritual exist in Djoser's mortuary complex: E.g., Shrines of UE and LE in courtyard E.g., Small dais with parallel steps for two thrones (UE & LE). E.g., Dyn.1: Den Sed-festival Dynasty 3: no. “1”: Djoser DJOSER: 1. Advent of Djoser’s reign → customary celebrations by performing rituals of Dyn.1: Den Sedfestival (a) “the Union of the Two Lands“ (b) "the Circuit of the Wall“ (circuit around Memphis) → appearing as the King of UE & LE. 2. First full civic calendar year: Djoser performed ritual appearance as King of UE and King of LE at the Double Shrines (= Two Lands). → aspects of this ritual exist in Djoser's mortuary complex: E.g., Shrines of UE and LE in courtyard E.g., Small dais with parallel steps for two thrones (UE & LE). Dyn.3: Dias in Djoser Step Pyramid Sed-festival court Dynasty 3: no. “1”: Djoser DJOSER: Domestic affairs: • Year 4: builds a temple (cited in Palermo Stone): • King appears in regalia as King of UE & king of LE at ceremonial foundation of new temple (“the Stretching of the Cord for the Mansion: ‘The Refreshment-of-the-Gods’”). Archaeological evidence for Djoser commissioning some major building projects: Note: “Stretching of the cord” = placing 4 stakes & a rope to mark off foundations of a temple/structure. Dyn.3: King Djoser Ex-situ blocks from a temple of Re at Heliopolis. Dynasty 3: no. “1”: Djoser Later image DJOSER: of a temple Domestic affairs: foundation • Year 4: builds a temple ritual … (cited in Palermo Stone): • King appears in regalia as King of UE & king of LE at ceremonial foundation of new temple (“the Stretching of the Cord for the Mansion: ‘The Refreshment-of-the-Gods’”). Archaeological evidence for Djoser commissioning some major building projects: Note: “Stretching of the cord” = placing 4 stakes & a rope to mark off foundations of a temple/structure. Dyn.3: King Djoser Ex-situ blocks from a temple of Re at Heliopolis. DJOSER: Heliopolis (NE of Cairo): • Centre for solar cult of god Re. • → Stone block fragments from shrine erected by Djoser. • Scenes associated with Sed-festival • Including ennead (“council”) of 9 creator gods worshipped at Heliopolis. Dyn.3: King Djoser ex-situ blocks from temple at Heliopolis. DJOSER: Gebelein(?): • Blocks from temple of goddess Hathor. • May date to Khasekhemwy / Djoser(?). • Stylistic preference → ED period(Dyn.2). • Djoser may have maintained it. Ex-situ Gebelein Dyn.2/3? DJOSER: Beit Khallaf at Thinis: (near Abydos). • Elite tombs dating to Djoser's reign, including enormous Mastaba K.1. • Prob. for Djoser's mother: Qn Nimaathap. Person (showing size of mastaba -10+ m high) DJOSER: International Relations: Wadi Maghara (S. Sinai): • Djoser sent an expedition to Sinai to obtain turquoise and copper. • Dedicatory text found there, near a mining camp & turquoise mine. Wadi Maghara: hilltop mining camp Turquoise mine: DJOSER: Mortuary complex at Saqqara: • Breaking with Dyn.1 & late Dyn.2, Djoser moves royal burial place back to Saqqara. • Places his complex north of the tombs of two early Dyn.2 kings. Saqqara • Why would he move burial place away from his family’s traditional home (Abydos) & burial ground (Khasekhemwy, etc.)? • Symbolic implications re: Egypt’s unity! • Beside administrative capital:Memphis. • It introduced direct & secondary economic benefits to Memphite region: e.g., Local / regional employment, Maintenance of royal mortuary cult, Produce from its estates (reversion). Abydos DJOSER: Mortuary complex at Saqqara: • Breaking with Dyn.1 & late Dyn.2, Djoser moves royal burial place back to Saqqara. Saqqara • Places his complex north of the tombs of two early Dyn.2 kings. • Why would he move burial place away from his family’s traditional home & burial ground (Khasekhemwy, etc.)? • Symbolic implications re: Egypt’s unity! • Beside administrative capital:Memphis. • It introduced direct & secondary economic benefits to Memphite region: e.g., Local / regional employment, Maintenance of royal mortuary cult, Produce from its estates (reversion). Abydos DJOSER: Djoser's mortuary complex. • Visited & praised throughout Pharaonic--Greco-Roman periods. • These tourists left graffiti here expressing admiration for it & its builder Imhotep. • Dyn.19 Turin Papyrus king list: Djoser's special status indicated by writing his name in red ink (all other rulers in black). • Anc. Egy. & Greco-Roman historians recognized Djoser’s mortuary complex as the most memorable feat. = first large-scale stone building! DJOSER: Djoser's mortuary complex. • Visited & praised throughout Pharaonic--Greco-Roman periods. • These tourists left graffiti here expressing admiration for it & its builder Imhotep. • Dyn.19 Turin Papyrus king list: Djoser's special status indicated by writing his name in red ink Serapeum complex along north (all other rulers in black). side of Djoser pyramid complex • Anc. Egy. & Greco-Roman historians recognized Djoser’s mortuary complex as the most memorable feat. = first large-scale stone building! DJOSER: Djoser's architect, Imhotep. Manetho: describes chief architect Imhotep (“Imuthes”) as • having medical skills & reputation of Asclepios among the Egyptians • devoting his attention to writing books (medical treatises, etc.). • being the inventor of the art of building with hewn stone (technically not true: stone is used in Dyns.1-2 buildings) In Dyn.3, Imhotep held titles: • Chancellor of the King of UE & LE, • Hereditary lord, • High Priest of Heliopolis, • The builder • The sculptor Imhotep → more famous than Djoser. step pyramid deifiedDjoser in Greco-Roman per. Djoser mentions Imhotep. DJOSER: Djoser's architect Imhotep. Manetho: describes chief architect Heliopolis Imhotep (“Imuthes”) as • having medical skills & reputation of Asclepios among the Egyptians • devoting his attention to writing books (medical treatises, etc.). • being the inventor of the art of building with hewn stone (technically not true: stone is used in Dyns.1-2 buildings) In Dyn.3, Imhotep held titles: • Chancellor of the King of UE & LE, • Hereditary lord, • High Priest of Heliopolis, • The builder • The sculptor Imhotep → more famous than Djoser. deified in Greco-Roman per. Djoser mentions Imhotep. Dynasty 3: King Djoser Step Pyramid Complex (ca.2,700 BC). The Earliest “Pyramid” albeit a Stepped Pyramid. SAQQARA Dyn.1: Anedjib’s name on stepped mound Dynasty 3: Djoser. 1. Initially a square mastaba 2. Later a rectangular mastaba. MOUND → Step Pyramid 4. A Four-stepped pyramid. 5. A Six-stepped pyramid. Imhotep Dyn.1: Anedjib’s name on stepped mound Dynasty 3: Djoser. 1. Initially a square mastaba 2. Later a rectangular mastaba. MOUND → Step Pyramid 4. A Four-stepped pyramid. 5. A Six-stepped pyramid. Imhotep Dyn.1: Anedjib’s name on stepped mound Dynasty 3: Djoser. 1. Initially a square mastaba 2. Later a rectangular mastaba. MOUND → Step Pyramid 4. A Four-stepped pyramid. 5. A Six-stepped pyramid. Imhotep Dyn.1: Anedjib’s name on stepped mound Dynasty 3: Djoser. 1. Initially a square mastaba 2. Later a rectangular mastaba. MOUND → Step Pyramid 4. A Four-stepped pyramid. 5. A Six-stepped pyramid. Imhotep Dynasties 1-3: Royal tomb superstructures Dynasty 1 King Den From square mounds to step pyramids. (4-6 superimposed mastaba mounds). Dynasty 3 Djoser The concept of a mound superstructure associated with a royal tomb. E.g., Dyn.25 King Taharqa: NK rites of the mound of Jemme = creation myth. Horus falcon (kingship deity) perched on lotus. Maat-feather of truth (symbolizing order in universe) primordial mound Lotus, symbolizing rebirth, sprouts from the mound. Arms of Geb (earth deity) Old Kingdom: and Horus (kingship deity) Pyramid represents the lifting up & supporting mound mound of transformation King represents the Keeper of Maat Dynasty 1: Dyns.1-2: Hierakonpolis Tomb of King Mound-Temple. Anedjib → plaque symbolizing the king (Horus) on a stepped mound (primeval mound). “Protection around Horus” Mound tomb “mound(?)” Dyn.2: Khaserkhem enclosure Abydos Hierakonpolis Hierakonpolis: Protodynastic to Early Dynastic Mound-Temple. Horus OK temple Dyn.0 temple “primordial mound” Narmer palette and cache of early votives Dynasty 3: King Djoser Step Pyramid complex. Links between Dyn. 3 royal tombs & private tombs at Saqqara Mounds in private tombs. The mound of creation (and regeneration / rebirth) encapsulated in private tombs. Saqqara Dyn.1 Tomb of Herneith Saqqara: Tomb 3038. Dynasty 1 reign of Anedjib. Dyn.1: Anedjib’s name on stepped mound Symbolic & functional in engineering rebirth: Late Dyn.5 – Dyn. 8: Pyramid Texts: The king ascends to the heavens/sky using steps, a ladder, sun’s rays, etc. Determin -ative for pyramid Dyn.2 image Of Benu-bird OK = yellow wagtail Later = heron Dynasty 3: King Djoser Step Pyramid Complex. The individual features composing Djoser’s tomb & complex. Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid: The Dry Moat: Rock-cut ditch encircles the construction site (quarry?). • Function & symbolism = ? (possibly waters of chaos; Osiride channel around mound) • Gisr el-Mudir = similar feature (another enigmatic enclosure) Dyn. 3: King Djoser (c. 2700 BC) • White Walls of Memphis • 1 functional gate (of 14) • 13 dummy gates/bastions. • Heb Sed festival complex built in complex for use in afterlife. Dyn.3 Djoser: Enclosure wall. 277 m x 544 m x 10.5 m high Dyn. 3: ex-situ blocks from temple at Heliopolis. Djoser: Saqqara “south door”: • Closed double door modelled along south side of enclosure wall’s exterior: Memphite gate? Enclosure wall of Step Pyramid Dyn.3 Djoser: Entrance. • resembles white walls of Memphis • One functional gate • 13 other dummy gates / bastions. • South wall = dummy double gate. • Wooden beam ends (= sq. holes) Dyn.3 Step Pyramid gate: Square depressions represent wooden beam ends. Entry passage: • underside of roof carved to replicate wooden roofing beams (even painted brown originally) • Doors also painted brown (wood) Dyn.3 Djoser: Entry colonnade. Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid colonnade entry passage • Double gates shown perpetually open. • Represents door leaf with hinges. Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid: Colonnaded entry passage Fluted columns (reeds) & roofing Earliest stone pillars (connected) Architraves Beams Roofing Palm capitals Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid complex: Heb Sed Shrine Court. • Replicating in stone ritual area in which king visits shrines of UE and LE • King is ritually crowned king of Upper Egypt and King of Lower Egypt • UE and LE officials swear allegiance to King of Upper Egypt & Lower Egypt Heb Sed shrine court: 12-14 shrines per side. Dyn.3 Djoser: Heb Sed shrine court. Main provincial gods of Egypt recognize & guarantee king’s right to rule (in life/afterlife) 14 Upper Egyptian shrines (“South”) Coronation dias Apis bull pen? ? ? 12-14 Lower Egyptian shrines (“North”) Dyn.3 Heb Sed shrine court: 3-6 unfinished statues of Djoser (south side). Wearing Heb Sed festival robes → celebrating Heb Sed festival for eternity. Dyn.3 Djoser: Heb Sed Shrine court. Dias: For coronation of king as (1) King of UE; (2) King of LE Dynasty 3: Djoser Heb Sed pavilion: Throne for coronation of king as king of UE Throne for coronation of king as king of LE • Oaths of renewed allegiance by provincial officials and other elite from Southern and Northern Egypt. • Placement in mortuary complex guaranteeing stability & longevity of rule in afterlife. Special alabaster vase from Djoser’s Step Pyramid galleries: depicts Heb-sed sign on the handle, symbolizing the sed-festival, and perhaps a gift, or ritual vase, for the king: life, youth, vigour ... Heb-sed glyph Heh-glyph for millions of years Dyn.3 Djoser: Temple T (robing rooms?) Dyn.3 Djoser: Temple T (robing rooms) Temple T is a functional building with actual rooms and open doorways, unlike the other Heb Sed structures. Doorways = carved open perpetually. Dyn.3: Djoser Temple T Theories: Aldred: Robing room for Heb Sed festival? Ricke: Small palace. Smith: Some elements of small palace used as a robing room (= combo.) Dyn.3: Djoser Step Pyramid enclosure Temple T suggested to be a functional royal robing room for the king during the Heb-sed-festival rites (vs. ‘palace’) West side of Heb Sed shrine court: Dyn.3 Djoser: Heb Sed shrine court. Shrines bear design of typical Southern Egyptian shrines (UE). 14 shrines along west (14+ nomes) Corvetto cornice Torus moulding imitating reeds Anubis Shrine? Cult figure “Dummy” Rubble core buildings Dummy buildings: Rubble-filled cores. West side of Heb Sed shrine court: Imitation of vegetative structural elements in stone (e.g., fence) → ritual buildings for afterlife/eternity. Dyn.3 Djoser: Heb Sed shrine court. Possible shrine for the Apis bull (physical manifestation of Ptah, the Memphite god of craftsmen) Running of the Apis Bull = major festival in Heb Sed and royal rituals. Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid complex: Heb Sed shrine court: UE Shrine. Fluted pillars imitating reed columns. Traditional national pr-wr shrine Traditional Seh-netjer shrine for Upper Egypt (South Egypt) for Anubis (guardian for dead) East side of Heb Sed shrine court: Dyn.3 Djoser: Heb Sed shrine court. Shrines bear design of typical Northern Egyptian shrines (LE). 12+ shrines along east representing provincial deities & provinces. Traditional national pr-nu shrine for Lower Egypt (North Egypt) Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid complex: Route to Heb Sed court. • Replicating in stone ritual area in which king runs ritual Heb Sed race. • Ritual race around Memphis and symbolizing circuit of the Two Lands (UE; LE) • Dias on which king sits facing double ritual cairns. SW corner of entry colonnade: (1) Side chamber with Djoser statue. (2) Shaft → subterranean passages with 400+ stone vases; may be a symbolic southern palace(?) Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid complex. • King’s statue standing on “9 bows” = symbolic subjugation of enemies of Egypt • Rekhyet birds in front of king = “subjects” / “commoners” (protected by king) Entry colonnade: S. entry associated with a symbolic building: “palace” Dyn.3 Djoser: Entry to Great Court. Dyn.3 Djoser: running ritual race. • Symbolizing a ritual race around city of Memphis • symbolizing circuit of the Two Lands (UE & LE) King Djoser: Heb Sed festival ritual race (i.e., fitness to rule): Nekhbet = protective vulture holding shen-glyph (“eternity”) Preceded by Jackal standard (Khentyimentiu i.e., Abydos) Serekh-name: Netjerikhet (= Djoser) Before “the Great White One” (Baboon deity) Wears regalia: e.g., White Crown, Royal beard (squared) Flail Bull’s tail Personified ankh-sign (“life”) Personified w3s-sceptre (“dominion”) Two symbols = medenbu (“limits”) Two pairs of three markers for the symbolic circuit of the limits of the land (UE & LE) Dyn.3 Djoser Heb Sed court NE corner = 3-roomed shrine. Badawy suggests it represents a shrine for Khenty-imentiu (“Foremost of the Westerners” = forerunner of the god Osiris). Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid complex: Southern Building. • Southern shrine? • Southern palace or administrative building? • Tomb and shrine for Southern princess? Dyn.3 Djoser: Southern Building. Badawy: shrines with UE crowns? Smith: Shrines with statuettes. Firth: Tomb & chapel for Hetephernebti Lauer: Building to receive officials Southern Palace(?) Dyn.3 Djoser: Southern building. Khekher frieze South Building with fluted column-capital = per wer (traditional Upper Egy. shrine) Khenta-mentiujackal standard? Djoser Step Pyramid complex: -New Kingdom graffiti: veneration Dyn.3: Djoser Step Pyramid complex –reed architecture made in stone. Archaic animal-shaped hut’s evolution. National sanctuary of the South DUALITY in all aspects Dyn.3 Djoser: Southern building Emblematic plant of Upper Egypt = Sedge plant. Southern emblem It is also positioned to the South. Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid complex: Northern Building. • Northern shrine? • Northern palace or administrative building? • Tomb and shrine for Northern princess? Dyn.3 Djoser: Northern building Dyn.3 Djoser: North Building. Emblematic plant of Lower Egypt = Papyrus plant. i.e., symbol of northern Egypt Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid complex: Northern court. • Large open northern courtyard. • Altar placed at northern end of courtyard. • Altar resembles similar open altars used in Heliopolitan solar cult. Dyn.3 Djoser: Northern solar altar Large northern court: Heliopolitan sun cult Altar: 8 x 8 m Firth: suggested an obelisk lay on top (no evidence for this). Architect Imhotep = High Priest of Heliopolis (= solar cult place). Dyn.3: Djoser. Functional and symbolic granaries for afterlife & cult. • Some grain found. • Lower doorways. Dyn.3 King Djoser step pyramid magazines: • Subterranean magazines with numerous stone vessels, human & animal bones, wheat, barley, sycamore figs, grapes, etc. • Weak ceilings, not completely excavated. • MoA is currently excavating part of them Recent MoA excavations Proposed upper structure and roofing for Western Magazines Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid complex: Mortuary complex. • Northern mortuary temple • Entrance to northern functional tomb chamber and galleries • Serdab statue for the ka-spirit of the king (substitute body for king’s spirit). Polar stars Dyn.3 Djoser: Serdab chamber Substitute body for spirit (ka) Should the real body perish Serdab chamber facing north → circumpolar stars Eye-holes are angled upwards Offering incense before serdabka-spirit statue of King Djoser. Dyn.3 Djoser: Mortuary temple Aspects of duality in mortuary temple: • Two purification basins • Twin courts. Purification basin vs. slaughter rooms with drainage channels. Dyn.3 Djoser: Mortuary temple. U.E.? Convoluted entry route: Like chapel at Abydos enclosure for Khasekhemwy (his father) L.E.? U.E.? Convoluted entry route: Like chapel at Abydos enclosure for Khasekhemwy (his father) Mortuary temple: North side of pyramid (later → East). Contains two false doors two funerary chapels Badawy: mortuary temple represents Memphite palace Fakhry: suggests it represents part of the palace since it differs from later mortuary temples in plan. Ricke: represents replica of royal cult palace. Note: Stairway access to burial chamber from courtyard Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid reconstructed North Mortuary Chapel Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid complex: The Pyramid. • Evolution of plan: a square mastaba superstructure to a six stepped pyramid. • Subterranean burial complex imitating palace complex of Djoser • Incorporation of other burials below the step pyramid complex. Dynasty 3: King Djoser. Initial mastaba tomb. 11 shaft tombs cut to inter important probable royal family members (Early Dyn. items amongst funerary goods) Stelae bases lay before each shaft, suggesting the burial of royal family members • 2 alabaster sarcophagi (one holding 8-year old child) Dynasty 3: King Djoser. Expansion of mastaba to the east covers the entry shafts to the 11 shaft tombs. Dynasty 3: King Djoser. The construction of a four stepped pyramid seals the vertical shaft leading down to the burial chamber. Access by sloping passage. 140 m East-West 118 m North-South 60 m high. Dyn.3: Djoser Step Pyramid Visible stages of building Dyn.3: Djoser Step Pyramid Visible stages of building Dynasty 3: King Djoser Step Pyramid. Using small limestone blocks to construct the Step pyramid. Ramps survive at smaller step pyramids from Dynasty 3. Step Pyramid Substructure: BURIAL SHAFT and CHAMBER Dyn.3 Djoser step pyramid. Burial shaft + granite chamber: foot Frags. sarcophagi & lids elsewhere(!) Chamber =considered a sarcophagus Dynasty 3: Djoser Step Pyramid complex: - Djoser’s burial chamber lacked a sarcophagus (maybe a wooden coffin had been placed inside?) C14 → debate on date - The 11 Eastern shafts & galleries yielded fragments of alabaster (calcite) sarcophagi: 5+ = royal family. - Dahshur yielded a reused Dyn.3, type Se, alabaster sarcophagus (originally from one of the 11 shaft-burials). Qasr-el-Aini Al.490 Djoser royal mummy(?): CM CG 28103 - Djoser’s burial chamber yielded a foot (and some body parts) wrapped with modelled bandaging in a Dyn.3-type style. (1934) Burial shaft & a star-studded chamber above burial chamber Stars symbols on upper side and underside of ceiling = similar chamber in Djoser’s “South Tomb” Dynasty 3 King Djoser: Step Pyramid substructure. • Network of galleries filled with stone vessels, etc. (provisions for afterlife) • Representing Djoser’s palace for his dwelling in the afterlife. • 1 gallery contained 30,000 – 40,000 stone vessels (Dyns.1-2; Djoser sealing[s]) Foot from mummy: Dyn.3: Subterranean galleries beneath Djoser’s Step Pyramid. Chambers with 1000s of containers of food provisions, etc. for the afterlife Dyn.3: Djoser galleries Heb sed festival scenes Dynasty 3: King Djoser Step Pyramid complex. Subterranean galleries below pyramid. Faience inlay blue tiles in wall faces. Replicating vegetative structures. Djed-pillar clerestory windows. Dyn.3: Step Pyramid galleries. Blue faience tiles representing reed structures. • Example of window (below) • Tile manufacture & installation • Wooden frame & woven reeds Faience tile: side & back. Contents of a gallery Selected stone containers Djoser: selected stone vessels from galleries below the Step Pyramid Dynasty 3: King Djoser step pyramid galleries: imitation basketry etc. High quality; long lasting Dyn.3 Djoser Step Pyramid complex: Southern Tomb. • Chapel against north side of South Tomb (like northern mortuary temple). • South tomb shaft-burial room = smaller duplicate of North tomb shaft-burial rm. • Similar underground galleries to North Tomb, but at a much reduced scale. Note: E-W axis unusual for southern tomb (later = N-S) Mortuary Temple for the Southern Cenotaph Tomb. uniting Abydos & Saqqara tomb Dyn.3 Djoser: South Tomb (cenotaph). Djoser South Tomb chapel: South Building = a chapel and tomb for King Djoser: Perhaps a “symbolic” Abydos tomb? (full transfer to Saqqara). Dyn.3 Djoser: South Tomb (cenotaph). Dynasty 3: King Djoser South Tomb complex • replicating palace with even a bathroom placed in the subterranean galleries. • Burial place for “spirit” (Ka)? like later ka-pyramid beside Dyns.4-6 pyramids. Southern burial chamber is too small to fit sarcophagus = dummy Star decorated ceiling above and below the burial chamber roofing. Dyn.3 Djoser: South Tomb (cenotaph). DYNs. 3-4: King Djoser’s Step Pyramid complex and later. Discrepancy between the King’s tomb & adjacent courtiers’ tombs at Saqqara and Giza: “divinity” versus “humanity.” Dyn.3 King’s tomb Dyn.4 Courtiers’ tombs Male-Female social structure in the Old Kingdom. DYNASTY 3: 2. KING SEKHEMKHET Dyn.3: no. “2”: Sekhemkhet. SEKHEMKHET (Djoseritety): • Horus Sekhemkhet known by his nebty-name: Djoserti-ankh. • Listed as Djoser's successor in all king lists. • Few details known about him. Turin king list: • notes 6 year. reign. Manetho: • ascribes 7 years to Djoser's immediate successor: “Tyreis” Nebty-name Djeserty-ankh Note: only base built Projection from base SEKHEMKHET: Domestic affairs: • Sealing of Sekhemkhet at Elephantine. • It bears name & titles of official: “Overseer of Elephantine” & “the sealer of gold of Elephantine” = earliest citation of town's name: 3bw (Abu) = elephant / ivory (reflects ivory & gold from Nubia) Aswan SEKHEMKHET: International Affairs: • Sekhemkhet sent at least one expedition to Wadi Maghara in S. Sinai: • Two rock-cut texts depict him smiting a symbolic indigenous Bedouin chief. SEKHEMKHET: Royal tomb: • Incomplete step pyramid & enclosure = the only monumental remnants of Sekhemkhet. • Lies SW of Djoser's Step Pyramid. • Yields jar-sealings & cylinder seal impressions with name of Sekhemkhet. Enclosure wall of Sekhemkhet’s • Imhotep, Djoser’s chancellor & architect, apparently served Sekhemkhet. E.g., a graffito on the wall of Sekhemkhet's enclosure mentions Imhotep. pyramid complex Djoser SEKHEMKHET: Step Pyramid tomb: • Surviving tomb has lower courses of unfinished step pyramid in 518 x 183 m enclosure. • If completed, the pyramid would have contained 7 steps → 70 m. • Enclosure wall has “palace façade” design similar to Djoser. • Despite intact sarcophagus & sealed tomb, sarcophagus = empty. • Why? • Perhaps Sekhemkhet = buried in the partly explored subterranean corridors. Dyn. 3: Sekhemkhet’s “unfinished” pyramid: SE corner of the first step. SEKHEMKHET: Step Pyramid enclosure wall: A 3.10 m high surviving stone buttressed enclosure wall along the north side of the initial compound. The enclosure was later extended to the north. Sekhemkhet enclosure wall: Dyn.3: Sekhemkhet “unfinished step pyramid”: Burial complex Burial chamber with intact sealed alabaster sarcophagus Descending passage to burial chamber SEKHEMKHET: Step Pyramid tomb: - Entry passage yielded a cluster of jewellery: possibly remnants of funerary offering. - Subterranean chambers yielded stone vessels and other jewellery. - Sekhemkhet enclosure yielded pit(s) filled with bones from sacrificed animals: SEKHEMKHET: Step Pyramid tomb complex: - Entry to subterranean storerooms and Eastern Complex of rooms. SEKHEMKHET: Unfinished Step Pyramid finds Jewellery from Sekhemkhet’s pyramid galleries. Alabaster sarcophagus of Sekhemkhet Mystery of King Sekhemkhet: A sealed tomb, but no body! Example of similar ED wooden coffin Crushed wooden coffin King Sekhemkhet’s empty sarcophagus: WHY? Did the king die With his body being not recovered for burial? E.g., a boating accident? SEKHEMKHET’s South mastaba: • Almost completely denuded mastaba: = south of pyramid. • Mastaba = stone-built & lay above ground. • It corresponds to the “southern tomb” in Djoser's mortuary complex. = likely satellite tomb for Ka-spirit (= precedes satellite ka-pyramid) = Not for canopic jars (later pyramids contain these in burial chamber) DYNASTY 3: 3. KING KHABA Dyn.3: no.“3”: Khaba. KHABA’s reign: • Very little = known. • Exact placement in Dyn.3 = ? • Serekh-name appears at 4-5 sites. • nsw-bity & nebty names & titles = ? • Some scholars equate Khaba’s serekh with King Huni (= tenuous arguments). • Otherwise, Khaba occurs at some point before King “Huni.” Close similarities exist between … a. Khaba's possible pyramid tomb at Zawiyit el-Aryan and b. Sekhemkhet's unfinished tomb, → may place Khaba after Sekhemkhet. KHABA: Domestic affairs: Khaba’s name occurs on: a. Stone vessels from Zawiyit el-Aryan b. diorite bowl from Dahshur, c. Sealing from Hierakonpolis d. Sealing from Elephantine e. an unprovenanced bowl → Conclude that Egypt remained sufficiently unified during his reign i.e., Khaba = represented throughout Egypt. • He remains an ephemeral ruler, but this is the case for many ED rulers and selected rulers in other periods. KHABA: Royal Tomb: • Khaba may have built his tomb at Zawiyit el-Aryan (1 mile south of Giza). • = an unfinished royal structure • Identification based mainly on Reisner's discovery of Khaba's name (in red paint) on eight stone vessels from a nearby elite, Dyn.3 mastaba (Z500). King Khaba (Nebka), pyramid at Zawiyet el-Aryan (north of Saqqara & Abu Sir) King Khaba (Nebka), pyramid at Zawiyet el-Aryan north of Saqqara+Abu Sir KHABA’s tomb: Step Pyramid probably • Unfinished step pyramid built by Khaba may have been designed with 6 – 7 steps. • Post-dates Sekhemkhet's structure in construction techniques & layout. • Appears to have been abandoned: →It lacks all traces of a burial: no sarcophagus! no funerary equipment! Note: Unconfirmed equation between King Khaba and this royal tomb. Where was he buried? DYNASTY 3: 4/5(?). KING SANAKHT (nomen = Nebka?) Dyn.3: no. “4?”: Sanakht (Nebka?). SANAKHT (Nebka?): • Horus Sanakht is known from his serekh-name on items & rock texts throughout Egypt & in S. Sinai. Saqqara Maghara • Likely identified with a nsw-bity name Nebka →Fragmentary sealing from Beit Khallaf has the Horus-Sanakht before a broken cartouche with a Ka-sign i.e. = nsw-bity name [Neb]-ka. Why is Sanakht / Nebka sometimes placed first in Dyn.3?: • Abydos & Turin king lists mention a King Nebka at the beginning of Dyn.3, between Khasekhemwy & Djoser. BUT we know Kh. & Djoser = linked. Beit Khallaf Elephantine SANAKHT (Nebka?): Archaeological evidence: • Argues very strongly against Nebka ruling between Kings Khasekhemwy & Djoser → A late Dyn.3 Saqqara tomb, of a priest called Akhetaa, mentions him being a “priest of King Nebka.” • But, this might reflect a later, long-lasting royal mortuary cult. • Papyrus Westcar mentions Nebka: (a) after a tale noting Djoser, and (b) before a tale citing King Huni, →… thereby placing Nebka near the end of Dyn.3 SANAKHT (Nebka?): International Affairs: Sinai expedition. • Two rock-cut texts at turquoise mines of Wadi Maghara in S. Sinai note Sanakht. • Sanakht depicted in a. White Crown (Upper Egypt), b. Red Crown (Lower Egypt). Word mefkat (“turquoise”) • Depicted in a smiting pose, perhaps reflecting the necessity for subduing local Bedouins in this region • Word mefkat (“turquoise”) appears for the first time. i.e., Sanakht = sufficiently in control & stable enough to send expeditions abroad … SANAKHT (Nebka?): Burial place: • Remains essentially unidentified • Garstang suggested Sanakht was buried in Tomb K2 at Beit Khallaf: This tomb yielded a wooden coffin with an adult male. • Other scholars have suggested that Djoser usurped Sanakht’s initial mastaba tomb at Saqqara (if Sanakht reigned before Djoser) • Others have equated Sanakht’s tomb with a poorly preserved mud brick tomb at Abu Roash: “el-Deir” •Sanakht’s Perhaps still to be found at tomb was probably Saqqara. not on the same large scale as in early Dyn.3, but the kingdom likely continued to be reasonably stable. Abu Roash: El-Deir possible Sneferu tomb SANAKHT (Nebka?): Burial place: • Remains essentially unidentified • Garstang suggested Sanakht was buried in Tomb K2 at Beit Khallaf: This tomb yielded a wooden coffin with an adult male. Sanakht? • Other scholars have suggested that Djoser usurped Sanakht’s initial mastaba tomb at Saqqara (if Sanakht reigned before Djoser) • Others have equated Sanakht’s tomb with a poorly preserved mud brick tomb at Abu Roash: https://www.newsweek.com/ancient-egypt-giant-pharaoh-king-sanakht-647292 “el-Deir” • Perhaps still to be found at Saqqara. • Beit Khallaf tomb bears a body of a 6 foot 1” person believed to be Sanakht (by some/many) DYNASTY 3: 5/6(?). KING Sedjes Houdjefa? (a gap in the records) Hudjefa (II) of Dynasty 3 Sedjes maybe = Hudjefa (Dyn.3) This postulated king actually never existed (under this name) The Turin Canon king list uses the word hwdf3 (hudjefa) to mean “lacuna,” thereby indicating a gap in the records for the king’s name from this point in the sequence (A. Dodson) The later Saqqara King List does place “Hudjefa” in a cartouche, but this appears to be a scribal error introduced by copying from a papyrus document. Likewise, the Abydos Canon records Sedjes from this period, which has been equated with Hudjefa II and other candidates. DYN.3 unknown ruler: Saqqara Enclosure: Gisr el-Mudir enclosure partly excavated → massive stone enclosure wall revealed. -- Sedjes …? Sanakht? Etc.? NOW: = Khasekhemwy(!) Djoser Step Pyramid DYNASTY 3: 6/7(?). KING HUNI Dyn.3: no. “5?”: Huni?. HUNI (Qahedjet): • Last king of Dyn.3 • Precedes King Sneferu (Dyn.4) • = a relatively little known ruler. • Known mainly from a cartouche bearing his nsw-bity name: Huni. • Horus/serekh-name of Qahedjet appears on limestone stela (unprovenanced; purchased in 1960s). • = Equated tentatively with Huni. Turin Canon/King List: • Ascribes 24 year reign to Huni • May reflect reality since various major monuments are preserved for Huni. HUNI (Qahedjet): Domestic events: Palermo Stone: • A royal estate of Huni is listed during the reign of a Dyn.5 ruler: Neferirkare This reveals: • One of Huni’s estates still functioned • His name still retained importance over 150 years after his death. → He would have to have left a sufficient impression / legacy: HUNI (Qahedjet): Royal Tomb: • No inscriptions identify the Meidum pyramid with Huni’s burial place. • It is probable that it was completed by his son, Sneferu, (whose name is associated later with this pyramid). • Sneferu has two other large pyramids well-associated with him, → the prototype Meidum pyramid was often suggested as belonging to his father Huni (by default vs. real evidence). -Note: Blank stelae in pyramid mortuary temple: = never finished for use HUNI (Qahedjet): Royal Tomb: Nabil Swalim recently re-discovered a pyramid at Abu Rowash (N of Giza), which has been redated to Dynasty 3: it appears to have been a step pyramid. He and other Egyptologists (e.g., Aidan Dodson) now believe that it might be the burial place of King Huni, who apparently reigned 24 years (in Turin Canon) The tomb is constructed of mud brick and measures 215 metres per side, and extended at least 107.5 in height. The cult of Huni lasts at least until Neferirkare (Dyn.5) Lepsius pyramid-I Possibly = Huni. Contested by Verner HUNI (Qahedjet): Royal Tomb: Nabil Swalim recently re-discovered a pyramid at Abu Rowash (N of Giza), which has been redated to Dynasty 3: it appears to have been a step pyramid. He and other Egyptologists (e.g., Aidan Dodson) now believe that it might be the burial place of King Huni, who apparently reigned 24 years (in Turin Canon) The tomb is constructed of mud brick and measures 215 metres per side, and extended at least 107.5 in height. The cult of Huni lasts at least until Neferirkare (Dyn.5) Lepsius pyramid-I Possibly = Huni. Contested by Verner LATE DYNASTY 3: 6 small step pyramids Dynasty 3/4: Huni-Sneferu. HUNI (Qahedjet?) - Sneferu: 7 late Dyn.3 small Step Pyramids: -Six small pyramids may = ascribed to “Huni” 1. Zawyet el-Maiyitin/Amwat: 2. South of Abydos: 3. Tukh near Naqada: 4. El-Kuala (Nag' el-Mamariya): 5. Edfu (south of El-Kab): 6. Elephantine Island (Aswan): -3-stepped granite step pyramid on Elephantine island. -Large granite cone with Huni’s name on its base (seshed Hwni: "Diadem of Huni"). -Note: 7th pyramid dates to Sneferu: 7. Seila (Fayum): -A small step pyramid with five steps -Two round-topped stelae outside the structure (one has Sneferu’s names & titles). Small step pyramid at Zawiyet el-Meitin (near Minya in Middle Egypt): Elephantine (Aswan): Step pyramid: = Best-identified with “Huni” HUNI (Qahedjet?) - Sneferu: Small Step Pyramid function(?) • D. Arnold theorized they = representations of primordial hill (= a step pyramid by hieroglyphs). • E.g., several localities in ancient Egypt claimed their origin through such primordial hills. • J.P. Lauer suggested they = cenotaphs (“dummy” tombs) built for queens at their place of birth, while their actual tombs lay near the king at Saqqara. • W. Kaiser & G. Dreyer suggested they served as reminders of the king’s sovereignty after various state visits to the south. Sinki (Abydos) DYNASTY 3: SUMMARY: The significance of the Sed-festival: • Sed-festival is often held after 30 years of rule & more frequently afterwards. • Some rulers held a Sed-festival earlier; some do not appear to have had one. • These Sed-festivals often seem to be held typically in temporary locations, with various structures built of timber, matting, reeds, etc. • In essence, during the Sed-festival the king displays his semi-divine ability to continue reigning, renews his vitality/strength magically/ritually, and he receives renewed oaths from officials & renewed patronage by deities of UE and LE, etc. • The king wears a short robe: identifiable as a Sed-robe (like a short bath robe). • He is ritually crowned as king of UE, and as king of LE (double throne/dais). • He runs a ritual race wearing various crowns: the White Crown (UE), the Red Crown (LE), Double Crown, etc.; the ritual race is entitled “Encompassing the Field” (it is run between D-shaped markers). • In the race he carries mks-document: written legal deed for his rule of Egypt. • He has other rituals: (a). Opening the irrigation canal (King Scorpion) (b). Hunting the hippopotamus (i.e., Contendings of Horus & Seth; royal hunt). (c). Presentation of captives and tribute (in temple settings; thanking deities). The significance of the Step Pyramid: • Step pyramid began as a stone square mastaba; it expanded to a rectangle; it became a 4-stepped pyramid; it was completed as a 6-stepped pyramid. • It appears to have a link with the early concept of a primordial mound, which reflected the original mound of creation, a place of birth and rebirth, etc. • It has some predecessors in a depiction of a stepped mound under a Dyn.1 king’s name, a stepped mound capping a burial shaft within a mastaba tomb, and other mounds capping burial shafts and a mound below a temple. • Later Pyramid Texts relate that pyramids functioned as “stairways” to the heavens, which might explain the final form of the Step Pyramid, which was now oriented to the north and the northern, imperishable, circumpolar stars. • This monument used small limestone blocks and inclined courses, but is renown for being the “first” monument in stone: architect Imhotep = deified. • The pyramid covered the main burial chamber and shaft, while a secondary small dummy/cenotaph burial chamber lay to the south under a small mastaba. • Other Step Pyramids were built in subsequent reigns, with similar construction techniques, until the concept emerged for filling in the steps to create a “True Pyramid” (i.e., replicating the sun’s rays coming to earth and the Ben-ben symbol sacred to the solar cult at Heliopolis). The significance of the Step Pyramid complex: • Much of the Step Pyramid complex replicates a Sed-festival complex, but built in stone for eternity, imitating structures made from vegetative materials. • It contains: (a). a southern open courtyard with a pair of D-shaped markers; (b). An eastern courtyard with a series of western shrines (pr wr shrines of UE) replicating provincial shrines of deities with imitation wooden fenced yards (c). A series of eastern shrines (pr nu shrines of Lower Egypt [northern Egypt]). (d). A dais with two steps presumably for two thrones (for king of UE and LE) (e). Southern Building with courtyard holding emblematic plant of Upper Egypt i.e., Southern palace? Southern administrative building? Mortuary chapel? (f). Northern Building with courtyard holding emblematic plant of Lower Egypt i.e., Northern palace? Northern administrative building? Mortuary chapel? (g). A northern mortuary temple with twin courtyards, basins, etc. (i). Serdab chamber with ka-spirit statue of King Djoser (looking out eye holes) (j). Northern courtyard with a podium (probably a solar altar) with set of steps. (k). A northern series of granaries along an E-W corridor with low openings. (l). A Western set of storerooms with subterranean galleries with many items (m). A Southern mastaba and small dummy burial chamber (“Abydos tomb?”) (n). A colonnaded entry at SE corridor with imitation reed columns, ceiling logs. (o). A symbolic subterranean “palace” at the SE interior corner of the complex. (p). An enclosure wall with bastions, and a southern imitation double gate. Comparisons between ED mortuary complexes & Dyn.3 Step Pyramid complex: • Dyn.1-2 Abydos tombs may have had a square to rectilinear superstructure not too unlike the initial square-rectilinear superstructure of King Djoser. • The Abydos rectilinear Valley Enclosures may have been incorporated into a combined location for the royal tomb and royal enclosure for King Djoser. • The open courtyards in the Abydos Valley Enclosures do find some parallels in the large open southern court in Djoser’s Step Pyramid complex. • The “Southeast” entryway for King Djoser replicates the SE main doorway for the Dyns.1-2 Abydos Valley Enclosures (and SE chapel entries in mastabas). • The Southeast chapel from some Abydos Valley Enclosures may be transferred into Djoser’s theoretical SE subterranean “palace,” or north mortuary temple. • Djoser’s serdab chamber beside his northern pyramid mortuary chapel may have a predecessor in the closed rear chambers in some enclosure chapels. • Djoser’s serdab ka-spirit statue may have predecessors in the occurrence of Dyn.2 statues of kings (but which were found elsewhere: e.g., Khasekhemwy). • The practice of Dyn.1 retainer burials may find some similarities in Djoser’s burial of some family members, and others, in chambers below his pyramid. • Many apparent innovations occur in Djoser’s Step Pyramid complex, including a northern focus (i.e., imperishable circumpolar stars), but retains solar cult. Selected sources on Dynasty 3 Pyramids, Sed Festival, & other aspects … Selected sources on Early Dynastic (Thinite/Archaic) Egypt to Dyn.3 … 2021 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 2003 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1978 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1993 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1992 Summary: “London and New York: Kegan Paul International, 1992. First Edition. Hardcover. "In Akhenaten's Sedfestival at Karnak, Jocelyn Gohary makes a study of Akhenaten's celebration of the heb-sed or Sed-festival, an ancient Egyptian religious festival that can be traced back to the Archaic Period. Scenes of Akhenaten's Sed-festival were depicted on the walls of his temple at Karnak, and this volume makes available the hitherto unpublished record, with an analysis of Sed-festival scenes carved on the blocks known as the Akhenaten talatat." 110 plates, including several folding.” This study will emphasize how this Ruler’s sed-festivals differed from Other, more traditional ones. Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1957 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … SUMMARY 1956 https://www.histecho.com/egyptian-archaeologist-discovered-unfinished-ancientpyramid-at-saqqara-that-cost-his-life/ The ancient history of Egypt is filled with abundant discoveries that have not been explained. One such discovery was made by the archaeologist Zakaria Goneim in the mid1950s. Goneim’s find was so unique that scientists are still arguing about what exactly the archaeologist found and what it was all for. In 1951, while searching for new untouched burials, archaeologist Zakaria Ghoneim came across a wall that, in his opinion, could be one of the undiscovered, unfinished ancient pyramids. The remains of the structure were located in the necropolis of Saqqara, not far from the ancient step pyramid of Djoser, whose age is estimated to be 4,700 years old. In his book, entitled “The Lost Pyramid” (Rinehart & Company, 1956), Goneim wrote: “It might be thought that, since the building had been used as a quarry in later times, its existence was known until a comparatively recent date. Fortunately I was able to satisfy myself that the monument had been undisturbed for at least 3,000 years and probably for longer. Proof of this lay in the large number of later burials which my workmen found during the excavations, and as the earliest of these dated from the Nineteenth Dynasty (1349-1197 B.C.), and as some were found lying undisturbed above the buried pyramid itself, it is obvious that the walls we had uncovered had not been seen by human eyes since that remote epoch.” Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1995 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1976 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … Jean-Philippe Lauer 1961 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1965 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1962 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1959 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1997 Selected sources on Early Dynastic (Thinite/Archaic) Egypt … 1936 Free pdf: https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/reisner1936 Selected sources on Early Dynastic to Dyn. 3 Egypt … Erik Hornung and Elisabeth Staehelin (2006) 2006 Selected sources on Early Dynastic to Dyn.3 Egypt … 1993 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 1983 Selected sources on Dynasty 3 (late ED/Early OK) Egypt … 2020 Selected sources on Early Dynastic to Dyn. 3 Egypt … 1999