Search results

1

The miraculous rise of the Fifth Dynasty – the story of Papyrus Westcar and historical evidence

100%

Verner M.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2015

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issue 15

86-92

EN

The decline of the powerful Fourth Dynasty and the rise of a new royal line, the Fifth Dynasty, have for a long time been shrouded in mystery and have become the stuff of legends. These events are referred to in the tale of the miraculous rise of the first three kings of the Fifth Dynasty, recorded on the Papyrus Westcar. However, relevant historical sources relating to the ascension of the new dynasty have for a long time been only few and ambiguous. The mystery surrounding the ascension of the Fifth Dynasty has now been altered fundamentally by new archaeological discoveries, in particular in the course of the research of the pyramid field in Abusir. These discoveries and the role played by three royal mothers named Khentkaus in the events at the end of the Fourth and the beginning of the Fifth Dynasty, are discussed in the cited article.

2

Tomb of the chief physician Shepseskafankh

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Bárta M.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2015

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issue 15

15-27

EN

Mastaba AS 39 was discovered during the course of the 2013 season in Abusir South. It is located in the northeastern part of the cemetery of officials dated to the Fifth Dynasty, spanning the reigns of Nyuserre through Djedkare (2402–2322 BC). Shepseskafankh was a person of elevated status at the royal court as indicated by the titles on his unique unfinished false door. These include, among others, the title of the chief physician of the king, property custodian of the king, chief of the physicians of Upper and Lower Egypt as well as two so far unattested titles of hem-netjer-priest of Khnum who is foremost of the House of Life and of the House of Protection and overseer of the healing substances of the Great House. These titles attest to his historically unique position. Shepseskafankh’s duties included supervision over the House of Life, which was a centre authority for storing and maintaining written documents. At the same time he was in charge of the House of Protection, which, most likely, was a facility where royal children were born. Based on archaeological and epigraphic evidence, it may be supposed that it is one of the earliest structures in the examined cemetery. Despite the fact that most of the burial facilities of the tomb owner and his family members were looted in antiquity, the tomb represents a unique testimony of the latter part of the Fifth Dynasty history on a microscale.

3

Sun temple of Nyuserre in Abu Ghurab: Report of the 2017 season

88%

Nuzzolo M., Pirelli R., Zanfagna P., D’Andrea A., Bosco A., Osman M., Krejčí J., Brienza E.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2018

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issue 21

45-72

EN

The article presents the results of the 2017 archaeological season in the sun temple of Nyuserre in Abu Ghurab. The works especially focused on three areas, namely the central obelisk, the alabaster altar, and the accumulation of limestone blocks in the south-western corner of the temple. Besides the documentation of these archaeological remains, an in-depth architectural analysis of the above-mentioned structures has been carried out, in particular as regards the obelisk area. In fact, as already noticed in other contributions, the 3D reconstruction of this part of the temple provided by Borchardt is not convincing for a number of reasons. A new reconstruction of the latter part of the temple has therefore been proposed, based on several archaeological, architectural and historical elements. This reconstruction involves not only the architecture of the obelisk but also the original aspect of the altar area, which is strictly connected to the obelisk as regards the cult practice and the overall temple symbolism. Another objective of the mission was to lay the foundations to a new phase of investigation of the area outside the temple, in particular of the area to the south-east of the sun temple of Nyuserre where the analysis of data coming from satellite remote sensing and historical cartography seems to indicate the possible existence of archaeological remains so far unexplored. Starting from this year, the mission has also become a joint ItalianCzech expedition within the framework of a wider research project (The Rise and Development of the Solar Cult and Architecture in Third Millennium BC Egypt – GAČR project no. 17-10799S), launched in January 2017 at the Czech Institute of Egyptology, Charles (https://cegu.ff.cuni.cz/en/ research/grants/the-rise-of-solar-cult/).

4

Some newly uncovered blocks from the tomb of Rashepses at Saqqara

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El-Tayeb H.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2017

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issue 19

124-134

EN

The tomb of the Vizier, Rashepses, located in Saqqara to the north of Netjerykhet’s pyramid complex, belongs among the large and complex mastabas of the late Fifth Dynasty. The paper presents some of the decorated blocks which were uncovered during the exploration of the tomb by the Egyptian mission. These blocks include architectural components with the inscribed titles and name of the tomb owner, a fragment of a scene of the tomb owner at the offering table and a fragment of scenes showing the netting of birds and gathering papyrus.

5

In the shadow of Kaaper. Preliminary report on the anonymous Fifth Dynasty tomb AS 88

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Odler M., Arias K., Honzl J., Brukner Havelková P., Sůvová Z.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2021

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issue 27

7-42

EN

This paper presents an archaeological report on the anonymous Fifth Dynasty mastaba AS 88 from the Abusir South necropolis, south west of the tomb of the official Kaaper (AS 1). The tomb was reduced to the ground in antiquity and only fundaments of its architectural disposition remain: the chapel and serdab located in the southernmost third of the ground plan, and the main burial Shaft 4 with looted burial chamber to the north. The tomb owner was a robust male who lived to relatively old age, between 40 and 60 years. Neighbouring ritual Shaft 5 has been undisturbed since antiquity and near its opening, a dislocated base of a combed ware vessel of Syro Palestinian provenance was found, probably having come from the looted burial equipment of Kaaper. Other selected ceramic, anthropological (including two undisturbed Old Kingdom burials in subsidiary shafts of the tomb), and archaeozoological finds are presented as well in the report. The last part of the article discusses the importance of similar structures in the broader understanding of the Old Kingdom at Abusir, as they provide a humble counterpart to the pyramids and major tombs of Royal Abusir.

6

Newly discovered officials of Sahura’s retinue

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Khaled M. I.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2020

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issue 25

82-89

EN

In 1994, the Egyptian mission discovered four limestone blocks with first class relief decoration in the area to the north side of the upper part of the causeway of the pyramid complex of King Sahura at Abusir. These blocks were published and briefly described by Zahi Hawass and Miroslav Verner in 1996. Afterwards, they were fully published in 2009 by Tarek El Awady. One of the blocks of the 1994 season designated as SC/north/1994/02 was discovered and published; however, its lower part was completely missing and was not found. In 2019, the work under the direction of the author focused on the north-east part of the already discovered blocks from 1994. A number of fine white limestone fragments were unearthed. Among those recently discovered blocks, there was the lower edge of block SC/north/1994/02. The present paper deals with new information about the discovered group of officials of Sahura’s royal court, as well as opens a new discussion and analysis of those non-royal individuals who served the king during his lifetime.

7

Abusir 3D survey 2015

75%

Kawae Y., Yasumuro Y., Kanaya I., Dan H., Chiba F.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2016

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issue 17

3-11

EN

In 2015, in collaboration with the Czech Institute of Egyptology, we, a Japanese consortium, initiated the Abusir 3D Survey (A-3DS) for the 3D documentation of the site’s pyramids, which have not been updated since the time of the architectural investigations of Vito Maragioglio and Celeste Rinaldi in the 1960s to the 1970s. The first season of our project focused on the exterior of Neferirkare’s pyramid, the largest pyramid at Abusir. By developing a strategic mathematical 3D survey plan, step-by-step 3D documentation to suit specific archaeological needs, and producing a new display method for the 3D data, we successfully measured the dimensions of the pyramid in a cost-effective way.

8

Největší z lékařů : Hrobka Šepseskafancha, lékaře Horního a Dolního Egypta

75%

Bárta M.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2014

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issue 12

3-10

EN

In September 2013 the Czech Institute of Egyptology started its fall excavation season in Abusir South. The Institute resumed work in the area in the immediate vicinity of the tombs of princess Sheretnebty and Nefer which have become famous, among other things, owing to the large numbers of unique stone statuary and the stela of Nefer, discovered and publicised world-wide only last year. In order to understand the complete history of this particular family cemetery which originated sometime during the reign of Niuserre and continued into the reign of Djedkare, the excavation moved to the northeast area where the entrance to the whole complex was uncovered. One of the oldest tombs discovered in this area of the cemetery so far belongs to the chief physician of Upper and Lower Egypt, Shepseskafankh. He had a rather impressive tomb built, of about 22 × 11.50 m in size, with limestone walls preserved to a height of about 3 m. A long corridor chapel with a unique monumental false door built of several blocks of limestone is located in the eastern part of the superstructure. The importance of the discovery lies in the fact that Shepseskafankh was one of very few, so far known, top-ranking physicians of the pharaohs of the third millennium BC Egypt. His titles detail Shepseskafankh as a friends of the House, chief physician of Upper and Lower Egypt, priest of Ra in the sun temple of Userkaf, Neferirkare and Niuserre, priest of Khnum “in front of Both Mansions of Life”, a priest of Magic, priest of Hathor in all her places, wab-priest of the king, keeper of secrets of His Lord, physician of the Great House, overseer of the foodofferings of the Great House, priest of Horus of Shenwet, Anubis, foremost of Sepa(-district), priest of the Red crown, priest of Khnum, foremost of the House of Life and the House of Protection – a designation which indicates his knowledge and the extraordinary position and respect he enjoyed at the royal court. Unfortunately, all burial chambers of the complex were heavily robbed and provided but a meagre amount of human remains. The historical importance of this discovery lies in the fact that Shepseskafankh belonged to a very few highest ranking physicians known from the era of the Old Kingdom pyramid builders who had a very close relationship with the ruling king. At the same time, his is already the third physician tomb discovered at the same cemetery in Abusir.

CS

Zájemci o starý Egypt a archeologické výzkumy v Egyptě a Súdánu se často ptají, jak dlouho trvá učinit archeo - logický „objev“. Tento článek se bude zabývat jedním z takových „objevů“, a to hrobkou lékaře a kněze Šep - seskafancha. Rok 2013 byl v mnoha ohledech přímým pokračováním archeologických aktivit v jižním Abúsíru z roku 2012. Archeologické práce se soustředily i nadále na komplex kněze Neferinpua a princezny Šeretnebtej z poloviny 5. dynastie. Tento soubor hrobek (kombinace skalních hrobek a klasických mastab), postavený ve třech výškových úrovních, představuje i nadále, přes veškeré naše dosavadní úsilí, oblast, jejíž poznávání není ani zdaleka ukončeno, a archeologická překvapení se vynořují jedno za druhým. Na úvod je třeba ještě uvést, že než jsme se k této hrobce dopracovali, uplynulo od počátku výzkumu v těchto místech lokality více než deset let.

9

The mastaba of the chief physician, Nfr-Hr-PtH (AS 65)

75%

Jánosi P.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2017

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issue 19

27-36

EN

During the fall season in 2016, the Czech Institute of Egyptology continued its field work at Abusir South. The western part of mastaba AS 65 belonging to the chief physician, Neferherptah (end of Fifth/beginning of Sixth Dynasty), was cleared and documented. One aim of the work was to clarify the relationship of AS 65 to AS 31 and an as yet unexcavated mud brick mastaba to the east. During this work, a third shaft was discovered in AS 65 situated between Shaft 1 in the south and Shaft 2 in the north. This shaft was probably the latest in the sequence of building Neferherptah’s tomb, but it was never used for a burial. Neferherptah is the latest of the physicians found in this part of the cemetery thus far (cf. Ptahhotep, Shepeseskafankh) and his tomb reveals a complex building history, which is detailed in this contribution.

10

Tomb of Kairsu discovered in Abusir (AC 33)

75%

Bárta M., Jirásková L., Krejčí J., Odler M., Brůna V., Brunker Havelková P., Sůvová Z.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2020

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issue 25

35-58

EN

The tomb of Kairsu is located north of the pyramid of Neferirkare and is part of a so far unexplored cemetery dating to the reign of Neferirkare – Nyuserre. The mastaba features several highly unusual characteristics. Basalt blocks had been used for the pavement in front of the façade and in the chapel. To date, it is the only attestation of such a practice in a non-royal tomb in the Old Kingdom. Some of the titles of Kairsu show that he was a high ranking official. Kairsu was overseer of all royal works of the king and foremost of the House of Life. There was a very close link established between this institution, which was in fact a centre of knowledge and wisdom in the Old Kingdom, and the god of creation Khnum. It is also important that the House of Life appears from the reign of Nyuserre when Osiris is attested for the first time. Another important feature of the tomb is the fact that the statue of the tomb owner was placed in front of the sarcophagus. This only confirms the previous assumption that ancient Egyptians were placing statues not only in different areas of tombs’ superstructures but also in the burial chambers. There is a strong possibility that the owner of the tomb may be identical to the famous sage of Egyptian history, who, according to a much later tradition, was author of the Loyalist teaching, Teaching for Kagemni and Teaching of Kairsu and also father of the early Sixth Dynasty vizier Kagemni.

11

Objev pohřební komory hodnostáře Nefera

75%

Bárta M.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2014

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issue 13

3-6

EN

During the spring season of 2014 in Abusir, the Czech mission focused on further archaeological exploration of the tomb complex of Nefer, dating to the second half of the Fifth Dynasty. Working inside his rock-cut chapel, two more shafts (out of four) were explored. Shaft 1, located in the southernmost part of the room, belonged to Nefer himself. The shaft opening corresponds with the principal false door of the room, that of Nefer. The shaft is 6 m deep, with a buri - al chamber opening to the south. The room was entered from the north. The entrance was originally blocked by a wall built of smaller and larger limestone chips, limestone blocks and mud bricks joined with mud mortar. The wall was broken by ancient tomb robbers in the eastern part. The burial chamber was found with the ceiling largely collapsed. Thus it was impossible to work inside the chamber but for a few hours. Therefore only very few measurements could be taken. The room measures roughly 3.67 × 2.25 m in ground plan. Most of the room was occupied by a large limestone sarcophagus (its chest mea - suring 2.25 × 1.05 × 0.75 m). Inside the sarcophagus, a completely destroyed burial was found, pushed to the south part of the sarcophagus (380/AS68/2014). It belonged to amale person of about 40–60 years of age. From the buri - al equipment, only a group of miniature model vessels made of limestone was found, consisting of 70 plates and 16 cups. Shaft 4, which is 4.5 m deep, is located close to the entrance into the chapel. The east wall of the shaft was shaped into a “manoeuvring recess” across the last 1.90 m of its length and so cut away the corner of the west wall of the shaft above the entrance into the burial chamber. The burial chamber is located to the west of the shaft and was found sealed with an intact stone wall. The burial chamber itself measures 2.96 × 2.14 × 0.80 m and it is orientated in the north-south direction. Most of the space was taken up by a limestone sarcophagus which is 2.50 m long, 1.10 m wide and 0.80 m high (chest). Remains of very limited intact burial equipment were discovered during the course of archaeological documentation inside the chamber. It consisted of four canopic vessels originally placed on the southern end of the sarcophagus lid (388/AS68/2014). These were originally placed in a wooden box which was found completely decayed. Due to post-depositional processes, one canopic vessel and two lids were found in the fill on the south side of the sarcophagus. Apart from this, only one beer jar was found lying on the floor of the chamber, in the southwest corner, and some small fragments of miniature copper vessels originating from the fill of the chamber could be documented. Since the sarcophagus was found sealed, it was officially opened in collaboration with the representatives of the Saqqara Inspectorate of Antiquities, the director Mr. Allah Shehata and chief inspector Mr. Sabri, on March 19. After the lid was pushed aside, a well preserved skeleton (not a mummy) (389/AS68/2014) was discovered inside. It belonged to an anonymous official of 40–60 years of age. He was lying in an outstretched position, head to the north. Along his eastern side a decayed wooden stick could be seen. Otherwise only small faience amulets and tiny pieces of golden foil were found. The faience amulets were found on the ankles and wrists of the deceased and included three different shapes, very close to the hieroglyphic signs “n”, “r” and “nb”.

12

Saqqara: season 2017

63%

Kuraszkiewicz K. O., Ciszewska-Woźniak I.

Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean

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2018

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vol. 27(1)

169-181

EN

The western bank of the Dry Moat continued to be the main target of investigations in the 2017 field season, uncovering another section of the Upper Necropolis in front of Chapel 13 and exploring the burial chamber of Chapel 32 situated below that of Ikhi/Mery. The latter work resulted in the discovery of an intact burial of an anonymous Fifth Dynasty official. Conservation work remained an important part of the program.

13

Hrobka muže bez tváře. Předběžná zpráva o výzkumu hrobky Anchirese (AS 98), inspektora kadeřníků královského paláce

63%

Dulíková V., Bárta M., Odler M., Peterková Hlouchová M.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2018

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issue 20

12-26

EN

During the autumn season of 2016, the tomb of an inspector of hairdressers of the Great House, Ankhires (AS 98), commenced excavation. The works were finished in the autumn season of 2017. In the architecture of the mastaba, two building phases were detected. Its cultic places were accessible from the north. A corridor chapel, where two levels of mud floor, a possible mud brick altar and a northern niche in the western wall were uncovered, leads to Room 2, giving access to abundantly decorated Room 1 with polychrome reliefs in at least three registers. The wall decoration of the funerary chapel was largely destroyed; only one block remained in situ and several fragments of the false door were found in the debris. In the core of the mastaba, only one shaft was uncovered. It was 11.75 m deep with a burial chamber at its bottom. An entrance into the burial apartment was in the western wall of the shaft. Neither the bottom of the shaft, nor the burial chamber were finished, though. This fact is fairly surprising taking into consideration the tomb’s intricate architecture. The tomb is preliminarily dated to the late Fifth Dynasty (Nyuserre – Djedkare). Interestingly enough, six late burials in wooden coffins (67–69/AS98/2017, 99–101/AS98/2017) from the end of the First Millennium BC were excavated by the western part of the entrance into the mastaba, and to the east of its eastern outer wall. The coffins were decorated very simply. However, the timber was very fragile and that is why the coffins had decayed, with the exception of two examples (67/AS98/2017 and 68/AS98/2017). In front of the eastern outer wall, three faience amulets were found (96/AS98/2017, 103/AS98/2017, 105/AS98/2017). These might be related to the late burials.

14

A new tomb of transitional type from Abusir South: mastaba of Nyankhseshat (AS 104)

63%

Odler M., Peterková Hlouchová M., Havelková P., Sůvová Z., Arias Kytnarová K., Jirásková L., Brůna V.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2019

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issue 23

49-82

EN

Mastaba AS 104 is located above the Wadi Abusiri, to the south-east of the tomb of Kaaper (AS 1). It was preserved almost to the height of the former roofing, hence almost completely. The whole structure was built on a platform with a trapezoid section and, looking from the south, it must have appeared as a two-stepped structure. The core of the upper step was built of rather small undressed blocks of local limestone and contained a rectangular room (Serdab 2) and three deep shafts. It was covered with a layer of large and heavy mud bricks. The superstructure contained the main focal point of the funerary cult (cruciform chapel and Serdab 1). Contrary to other similar structures of roughly the same date, niching decorated only the eastern wall. The tomb was built for a custodian of the king’s property, Nyankhseshat, whose other titles reflect his position in the organization of work, the overseeing of gold procurement and a religious connection to metallurgy. This tomb represents, at least in the Abusir area, currently the last known tomb of transitional type. Apparently, in the Fourth or Fifth Dynasty, the main chapel fell into disuse and the mastaba was used by new owners (scribe of the treasury and royal wab-priest Sekhemka and his spouse, king’s acquaintance Henutsen), which is demonstrated by a limestone stela inserted into the eastern outer wall. Altogether five limestone basins were uncovered, four of them in situ. A number of interesting finds were collected in the shafts (wooden coffin fragments, copper and travertine models, a clay sealing, human bones, animal bones). This article presents an architectural and archaeological description of tomb AS 104 and offers some preliminary analyses of the finds, supplemented also by concise information on human and animal bones found. Last but not least, it describes documentation and methods used in the field.

15

Archaeological excavation of tomb AC 31 in Abusir Centre. A preliminary report

63%

Krejčí J.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2016

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issue 17

12-23

EN

The article deals with the results of the archaeological excavation of tomb AC 31, which is located in Nakhtsare’s cemetery, at the southern edge of the royal necropolis of Abusir. The tomb, built during the second half of the Fifth Dynasty, was destroyed and deprived of its decoration by tomb- and stone robbers to the extent that any ascription to a certain person is not possible. On the other hand, a relatively large part of its burial equipment was preserved.

16

Tomb at Abusir South from a time of change belonging to Ankhires, inspector of hairdressers of the Great House (AS 98)

63%

Dulíková V., Bárta M., Peterková Hlouchová M., Sůvová Z.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2018

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issue 21

3-33

EN

A new tomb (AS 98) of Ankhires, inspector of hairdressers of the Great House, was excavated at Abusir South in the autumn seasons of 2016 and 2017. The stone-built mastaba is preliminarily dated to late Fifth Dynasty, from the reign of Nyuserre to Djedkare. It has an unusual architectural plan, consisting of a corridor chapel, Rooms 1 and 2, an L-shaped chapel, two serdabs and Shaft 1. It was obviously built in two phases. The extension gave the mastaba the area of 413 m2 . In view of several facts, the tomb represents a new phenomenon not only at the Czech archaeological concession but also at the Memphite necropolis. It was surrounded by several structures including tombs (AS 101, AS 102), a technical(?) structure (AS 100) or a cultic installation (AS 99), which were also partly excavated. The work has brought to light many interesting finds, being it remains of the original wall decoration, remains of wooden statues or ecofacts. An analysis of the animal bones assemblage is also incorporated in the present study.

17

The tombs of Kaisebi (AS 76) and Ptahwer (AS 76b) at Abusir South

63%

Dulíková V., Jirásková L., Vymazalová H., Arias Kytnarová K., Havelková P.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2017

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issue 19

3-26

EN

The excavations at Abusir South have already uncovered many tombs that have added valuable information to the general knowledge of the development of the Old Kingdom society, its burial and funeral habits, and last but not least social relations and their impact on the lives of ancient Egyptian officials. One of the latest discoveries is the tomb of “the elder of the judicial hall”, Kaisebi (AS 76), and the adjoining tomb of Ptahwer (AS 76b), which are located to the south of the anonymous mastaba (AS 54), lying on the most prominent spot of the whole Abusir South area. Kaisebi and Ptahwer built their tombs between this huge mastaba (AS 54) and a recently discovered 18.5 m long ship, both dated to the end of the Third Dynasty. Tomb AS 76 was constructed in two phases in the course of the late Fifth and Sixth Dynasties. The first one consisted of a rather small rectangular mastaba with a chapel, a northern niche, a serdab, and two shafts. The cruciform chapel of Kaisebi’s mastaba with colourful wall paintings contains a well-preserved false door in situ. Later on, the original structure was enlarged by an annexe (AS 76b) attached to the eastern wall of AS 76, which included another offering place and two burial shafts.

18

Anthropological evaluation of Old Kingdom human burials from the pyramid field of Abusir

63%

Brukner Havelková P., Dulíková V., Bejdová Š., Velemínský P., Bárta M.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2022

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issue 28

28-51

EN

Anthropological research has been going on at the archaeological concession of the Czech Institute of Egyptology in Abusir for nearly 60 years. The first burials dated to the Old Kingdom, more specifically to the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties (2510–2365 BC), were found in 1976. Nevertheless, it has taken almost to the present time to gather more than two hundred skeletons needed to carry out a comprehensive study of the Abusir skeletal sample. This task was preceded by the creation of the AnuBase, an extensive and detailed database of anthropological data, and by the acquisition of a suitable depository space where the human skeletal remains are stored. The present study focuses mainly on the paleodemographic profile of the individuals buried in Abusir cemeteries and the metric analysis of the skeletons dating to the Old Kingdom. The results revealed a lower number of buried females compared to males and very few subadults. Very pronounced sexual dimorphism was noted between the male and female skeletons in both skulls and the infra cranial skeleton. Male crania are longer but lower than female crania, while females were characterized by higher faces. Although male long bones were longer and more robust than female ones, they do not differ in the proportionality of the upper and lower extremities. High sexual dimorphism in body height is consistent with the presumption of the higher status of individuals buried in Abusir. The results of both anthropological and paleodemographic analyses show a connection with the social status of the individuals in question. The low number of females buried in the cemeteries of Abusir and the almost missing subadults could indicate specific burial strategies in the area governed by strict rules. Future research should address these issues in detail.

19

Abúsírská nařízení krále Džedkarea a písaři královské kanceláře

51%

Vymazalová H.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2019

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issue 22

95-105

EN

The Abusir papyrus archives are among the most important discoveries achieved by the Czech Institute of Egyptology FA CU during its six decades of exploration of the necropolis. A small part of these archives is comprised of royal decrees, issued mostly by King Djedkare in the late Fifth Dynasty, which granted access to offerings to named individuals. It is not entirely clear whether these offerings were intended for the cults of deceased officials or for the attendants of the pyramid complex and the king’s funerary cult. The long rule of King Djedkare allows us, however, to discuss the royal scribes who may have been involved in writing these documents in the royal chancery. The titles of Djedkare’s high dignitaries indicate a close connection to the king’s documents and decrees, but the individual scribes who wrote down his decisions can hardly be identified today

CS

Abúsírské papyrové archivy patří k nejvýznamnějším objevům Českého egyptologického ústavu FF UK učiněným během jeho šedesátiletého výzkumu tohoto pohřebiště. Malou část těchto archivů tvoří královské dekrety, z nichž většinu vydal král Džedkare v závěru 5. dynastie a jež zajišťovaly jmenovaným jednotlivcům přístup k obětinám. Není zcela zřejmé, zda byly tyto obětiny určeny pro zádušní kulty zemřelých hodnostářů, anebo pro zaměstnance pyramidového komplexu pečující o králův zádušní kult. Dlouhá Džedkareova vláda nám dává možnost prozkoumat doklady o královských písařích, kteří mohli být přítomni sepsání takových dokumentů v královské kanceláři. Tituly některých Džedkareových vysoce postavených hodnostářů naznačují jejich úzké spojení s vydáváním královských dokumentů a dekretů, avšak zjistit, který jednotlivý písař tato rozhodnutí zapsal, dnes možné není.

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Jedna hrobka ve dvou dynastiích. Předběžná zpráva o výzkumu mastaby AS 104 v jižním Abúsíru

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Odler M., Peterková Hlouchová M., Havelková P., Sůvová Z., Arias Kytnarová A., Brůna V., Jirásková L.

Pražské egyptologické studie (Prague Egyptological Studies)

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2019

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issue 22

21-42

EN

During the spring season of 2018, the mastaba of Nyankhseshat (AS 104; 29.60 × 13.20 m), belonging to the transitional type of tombs, was excavated at Abusir South. The tomb is located to the southeast of Ity’s tomb (AS 10) on the edge of Wadi Abusiri. The whole structure, with the core of irregular limestone blocks and mud brick casing, was built on a platform with a trapezoidal section. The superstructure consisted of a cruciform chapel, Serdabs 1 and 2, three shafts and a corridor chapel. The name of the tomb owner and his most important title – property custodian of the king – were preserved on an offering basin and a wooden panel in the western wall of the chapel (with a shortened form as Ishet). The mastaba was built in the early Fourth Dynasty. However, it was reused in the first half of the Fifth Dynasty (the reign of Neferirkare) when a stela of scribe of Treasury Sekhemka and his consort, Henutsen, were added, along with four limestone offering basins found in situ in the corridor. Although all the shafts were looted, they brought to light remains of burials. Apart from human bones, the remnants of the burial equipment were uncovered, including fragments of wooden coffins, travertine and copper model vessels, ceramic sherds and a mud sealing with the name of King Neferirkare. Animal bones and natural animal mummies were collected as well. Three structures, excavated only partially, were located in the vicinity of AS 104: AS 105 (to the east), AS 107 (to the north) and AS 108 (to the south).

CS

Na samé jižní výspě abúsírské nekropole, na okraji Wádí Abúsírí, byla v průběhu jarní expedice 2018 prozkoumána poměrně rozsáhlá hrobka, označená jako AS 104 (29,60 × 13,20 m). Byla tvořena kamenným jádrem a vnějším pláštěm cihlového zdiva. Svojí architekturou spadá do kategorie tzv. hrobek přechodného typu, kombinujících prvky starší zádušní architektury z Raně dynastické doby a mladší z počátku Staré říše. Je tudíž možné ji datovat do začátku 4. dynastie, velmi pravděpodobně do doby vlády panovníka Snofrua. Jejím vlastníkem byl vysoce postavený úředník, správce královského majetku Nianchsešat. Avšak jak ukázal výzkum, mastaba byla později využívána znovu, a to před polovinou 5. dynastie. Tehdy byla minimálně jedna šachta opět použita a do východní stěny hrobky byla vsazena zdobená vápencová stéla nových majitelů – písaře pokladnice Sechemky a jeho choti Henutsen. Přestože všechny šachty byly vykradené, každá nesla stopy po pohřbu. Kromě lidských kostí byly odkryty i pozůstatky pohřební výbavy, jako např. fragmenty dřevěných rakví, travertinové a měděné modely nádob, keramické zlomky nebo otisk pečeti se jménem panovníka Neferirkarea. V průběhu výzkumu byly sesbírány nejen lidské, ale i zvířecí kosti a přírodní mumie zvířat. V nejbližším okolí mastaby se nacházely další stavby, ty byly v rámci expedice zachyceny pouze částečně: AS 105 (východně), AS 107 (severně) a AS 108 (jižně). Výzkum přinesl řadu důležitých nálezů a zjištění o málo známé době v Abúsíru, o době těsně před tím, než tuto lokalitu opustili vysocí úředníci, již se poté nechávali pohřbívat v Gíze. Jarní práce v Abúsíru rovněž poskytly informace o počátcích nové éry před polovinou 5. dynastie, kdy se zde opět začaly budovat hrobky a byly využity i již existující stavby

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Jedna hrobka ve dvou dynastiích. Předběžná zpráva o výzkumu mastaby AS 104 v jižním Abúsíru