Altenmueller_Family_ancestor_cult_2008.pdf

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Family, ancestor cult and some observations on thechronology of the late Fifth DynastyHartwig Altenmuller (Hamburg)

IntroductionT h e t o m b s o f t h e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l y i n t h e w e s t e r n c e m e t e r y a t G i z a

b e l o n g t o t h e b e s t i n v e s t i g a t e d t o m b s o f t h e s e c o n d p a r t o f t h e F i f t h D y n a s t yat G i z a . T h e y a r e s i t u a t e d in t h e w e s t e r n f i e l d o f G i z a i n t h e c e m e t e r y e neche lon . T h e t o m b s w h i c h a r e c o n c e r n e d a r e t o m b G 4 9 4 0 o f S e s h e m n e f e r I( K a n aw a t i 2 0 0 1 , 5 1 - 6 5 ; p i s . 3 8 - 5 1 ) , t o m b G 5 0 8 0 o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I ( K a n a w a t i2002, 5 1 - 6 4 ; p i s . 5 8 - 6 5 ) a n d t o m b G 5 1 7 0 o f S e s h e m n e f e r II I ( B r u n n e r - T r a u tH977 , 21995 ) . I n s p i t e o f v a r i o u s d i s c u s s i o n s o n t h e a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d t h e s c e n i crepresen ta t i ons o f t h e s e t o m b s i n t h e p a s t y e a r s t h e i r d a t i n g i s s t i llprob l ema t i c . O n e o f t h e m a i n p r o b l e m s c o n c e r n s t h e d a t i n g o f t h e m a s t a b a o fSeshemne f e r I I I ( G 5 1 70 ) w h i c h i s n o w k e p t a t T u b i n g e n . F o r t h i s t o m bd i f f e ren t d a t e s h a v e b e e n p r o p o s e d , s t a r t i n g w i t h a d a t i n g a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o fthe F i f t h D y n a s t y ( B a u d 1 99 9 a , 5 7 7 [ 22 0] : " p r e m i e r e m o i t i e d e l a V e d y n a s t i e " ) ,pa s s i n g t o a s u g g e s t e d d a t i n g u n d e r k i n g N i u s e r r e ( B r u n n e r - T r a u t J 1 9 7 7 ,21995, 1 5 , n . 7 : " a u s d e r m i t t l e r e n 5 . D y n a s t i e " ) a n d e n d i n g w i t h t h e p r o p o s a lt o d a t e t h e t o m b i n t h e e a r l y o r m i d d l e y e a r s o f t h e r e i g n o f D j e d k a r e I s e s i( J unke r 1 9 3 8 , 1 4 ; B a e r 1 9 6 0 , 1 3 2 [4 7 8 ]; P o r t e r & M o s s 2 1 9 7 4 , I I I . l , 1 5 3; S t r u d w i c k1 9 8 5 , 1 3 9^ 0 [ 1 3 1 ]; G a m e r - W a l l e r t 1 9 9 8 , 6 0 ).

T h e i n t e n t o f t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n i s t o s t a t e m o r e p r e c i s e l y t h e c h r o n o l o g yof t h e t o m b s o f t h e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l y a t G i z a . T h e r e s e a r c h i s c o n c e r n e dm a i n l y w i t h th e p r o s o p o g r a p h y o f t h e d i f f e r e n t m e m b e r s o f t h e f a m i l y( H a r p u r 1 9 8 7 , 2 8 8 [ 1 8 ]) . I t i s e x p e c t e d t h a t a n a n a l y s i s o f t h e s t r i n g o fth i s f a m i l y d e l i v e r s a u s e f u l c r i t e r i o n b o t h f o r t h e c h r o n o l o g y o f t h e t o m b s o ft h e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l y a n d f o r t h e c h r o n o l o g y o f t h e O l d K i n g d o m i ngene r a l .

The tombs of the Seshemnefer-familyT h e f i r s t r e l e v a n t t o m b o f t h e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l y i s t h e t o m b o f

Seshemne f e r I w h i c h is l o c a t e d i n t h e f i rs t r o w o f t h e c e m e t e r y e n e c h e l o n( G 4 9 4 0 ) . A n e a r l y c o m p l e t e s e r i e s o f t h e t i t l e s o f t h e t o m b o w n e r i s p r e s e r v e do n t h e w e s t w a l l o f t h i s t o m b (fig. 1 ) . T h e t it l e s a t t e s t a r a t h e r e l e v a t e d r a n k o fSeshemne f e r I w h o o f f i c i a t e d i n t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f h i s t i m e . A c c o r d i n g t othe i n s c r i p t i o n s o n t h e w e s t w a l l o f t h e c u l t c h a p e l h e h o l d s th e f o l l o w i n gt it les ( K a n a w a t i 2 0 0 1 , p i . 42 ) :

Originalverffentlichung in: H. Vymazalov, M. Brta (Hg.), Chronology and Archaeology in

Ancient Egypt (The Third Millennium B.C.). Proceedings of the Conference Held in Prague

(June 11-14, 2007), Prag 2008, S. 144-161


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Family, ancestor cult and some observa tions on the chronology ... 145(SI-W1)1 Royal chamberlain of the mansion of Djedefre (hrj tp nzwt hwtHr-hpr)(SI-W2) Khet-priest of Ha (ht Hi)(SI-W3) Prophet of Heket (hm-ntr Hkt)(SI-W4) Priest of Horus strong of arm (hm-ntr Hr kmi-r)(SI-W5) Judge and boundary off icial Cd mr (ri) zib)(SI-W6) Great one of Uppe r Eg ypt (wr Smrw)(SI-W7) Pr iv y to the secret (hrj sSti)(SI-W8) Overseer of the king's works (jmj-r kit nzwt) (Jones 2000,262 [949])(SI-W9) Overseer of the scribes of the document-case of the king (jmj-r z$whrt-c nzwt) (Jones 2000,209 [780])(SI-W10) Chief of distribution in the m ans ion of l ife (hrj wdb m hwt-cnh)(SI-W11) Overseer of the two places of pro vision s (jmj-r sty-dfiw).Five of these titles are recorded a second time on the south wall of his

tomb, where- the tom b o wn er is sitting an d loo king eastwards. Tw o titles areinserted as supp lem en tar y titles at the fourth and fifth place of the titulary.

(SI-SI) Royal chamberlain of the mansion of Djedefre (hrj tp nzwt hwtHr-hpr) (= S l -W f ) ,(SI-S2) Khet-priest of Ha (ht Hi) (= SI-W 2)(SI-S3) Prophet of Heket (hm-ntr Hkt) (= SI-W3)(SI-S4) Priest of Anubis of Gebelein (?) (hm-ntr Jnpw jnrtj) Qones 2000, 506[1893])(SI-S5) Director of the Palace (hrp rh)(SI-S6) Priest of Horus strong of arm (hm-ntr Hr kmi-r) (= SI-W4).Seshemnefer's I son S eshemn efer II has a similar h igh social standing as his

father. His tomb is situated in the second row of the cemetery en echelon inG 5080. Th e m ost p rom inen t titles of Seshemnefer II are recorded in the centralpart of the wes t wa ll (fig. 2). Th ey are arranged in the follo w ing order:

(SII-Wcl) Overseer of the scribes of the king's doc um ents (jmj-r zSw rw nzwt)(SII-Wc2) Scribe of the king's do cum ents of the royal instructors (zS rw nzwtn sbijt nzwt)(SII-Wc3) Privy to the secret of the document-case of the king (hrj sSti nhrt-r nzwt)(SII-Wc4) Scribe of the document-case of the king (zS hrt-r nzwt)(SII-Wc5) Overseer of the house of weapons in the two houses (jmj-r [pr]rhiw m pr.wj)(SII-Wc6) Privy to the secret of all decrees of the king (hrj-sSti n wdt mdw nbtnt nzwt)(SII-Wc7) Overseer of all wo rks of the king (jmj-r kit nbt nzwt).

1 The abbreviations are as follows: SI = Seshemnefer I; W = west wall; S = south wall; thenumber at the end indicates the placing of the title inside the sequence of the titles.


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146 H. Altenmiiller

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148 H. Altenmiiller

u\\ X

lEils;W&MWfjJ'MMm^i'MJ . . - i n ^ * ^ !1

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JFig. 3 So uth wa ll of the tom b chape l of Seshe m nefe r II (G 5080) (Ka na wa ti 2002,pi. 64).

Unfortunately the titles accompanying the large-sized person representedon the south w all of the tom b are not preserved ( f i g . 3).

Seshemnefer III belon gs to the third generation of the fam ily of Seshemnefer I.His tomb is situated far more east to the street of the tomb of his grandfather(G 4940) and his father (G 5080) and lies in G 5170 (Porter & Moss 21974, 152;Brunner-Traut '1977,21995, p a s s i m ; Brunner-Traut & Brunner 1981,13-26). Th etomb inscriptions refer to titles which are similar to that of his fatherSeshemnefer II and his grandfather Seshemnefer t On the central part of thewest w all of the cult chapel the follo w ing titles are recorded ( f i g . 4):


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Y =Qo(J=Qo(Jtp=3


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150 H. Altenmuller(SIII-Wcl) Overseer of scribes of the king's documents (jmj-r zSw rw nzwt)(SIII-Wc2) Pr ivy to the secret of all decrees of the king (hrj sSti n wdt-mdw nbtnt nzwt)(SIII-Wc3) Judge and boundary official (rd mr (n) zib)(SIII-Wc4) The one w ho belongs to the foremost seat (n j nst hntjt)(SIII-Wc5) Overseer of the tw o houses of we apo ns (jmj-r pr.wj rhiw).Much m ore elevated titles are to be fou nd on the south w all of tom b G 5070

where the handing over of a lotus flower is represented (fig. 5). In thisexclusive scene Seshemnefer is sitting in an arm chair, his face being orientedfrom left to right tow ards the west w all of the tomb . H is titles are:

(SIII-S1) King 's son of his bo dy (zi nzwt n ht=f)(SIII-S2) Count(SIII-S3) The one w ho is in the/z-bureau (jmj-jz) (Jones 2000,49 [247])(SIII-S4) Lector priest (hrj-hbt)(SIII-S5) Chief justice and vizier (tijtj titj (n) zib)(SIII-S6) Khet-priest of Min (ht Mnw)(SIII-S7) Overseer of all wo rks of the king (jmj-r kit nbt nt nzwt) (= S II-Wc7)(SIII-S8) Overseer of the two houses of weapons (jmj-r pr.wj rh?w) (similarSII-Wc5; SIII-Wc5)(SIII-S9) Privy to the secret of all decrees of the king (hrj s$t3 n wdt-mdw nbtnt nzwt) (= SII-Wc6; SIII-Wc2)(SIII-S10) Pr ivy to the secret of the pr-dwit (hrj s$tl n pr-dwit)(SIII-S11) Unique friend (smr w rtj).The titles of the south wall of the cult chapel are of the highest rank. Most

of them occur only here (SIII-S1 to S6 and S10-S11) and are not to be found inother places of the tom b.

Usually it is assume d that the person depicted on the south w all of the tom bof Seshemnefer III represents the tomb owner himself. This identity has neverbeen challenged. Nearly in all publications dealing with the tomb ofSeshemnefer III this identification can be fou nd (Junker 1938,192-216, esp. 206;Baer 1960, 132 [478]; Porter & Moss 21974, 153; Brunner-Traut '1977,21995, 16;Kanawati 1980, 13-7; Brunner-Traut & Brunner 1981, t. I, 14; Strudwick 1985,139-40 [131]; Gam er-Wa llert 1998,57-61; Janos i 2005,243). Th e on ly exception isa recent article by G . Pieke, w h o argues that Seshemnefer II, not Seshemnefer IIIis represented on the south wall of the tomb of Seshemnefer III (Pieke 2006,273). Her arguments are based on iconographical criteria. In dealing with thelotus-offering-scenes in the tombs of the Old Kingdom at Giza she statesa special transmission of the motif at Giza ("Motivtradition") according towhich the scene of presenting the lotus flower usually is carried by the sontowards his father (Pieke 2006, 272-4). Therefore she expects that in the tomb ofSeshemnefer III the ind ivid ua l receiving the lotus flow er is Seshemnefer II.


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F a mi l y , ances tor cu l t a n d some observa t ions o n t h e chronology. . . 151

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Fg. 5 South wall of the tomb chapel of Seshemnefer III (G 5170) (Brunner-Traut 1977,attachment-plate 4).


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152 H. Altenmuller

A c l os e l o o k a t t h e n a m e s o f th e m e m b e r s o f th e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l yrecorded i n th e i n s c r i p t i o n s o f t h e t o m b ch a p e l s u p p o r t s th i s co n c l u s i o n a n doffers a t th e s a m e t i m e a n ew s o l u t i o n f o r th e d a t i n g o f t h e t o m b s o f t h eSeshemnefer-family. I n c o n s i d e r i n g t h e n a m e s of th e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l y a n dtheir m u t u a l i n t e r d e p e n d e n c e i t c a n n o w d e f i n i t e l y b e p r o v e d t h at n o tSeshemnefer I I I o f G 5170 i s the addressee o f the scene o f p resent ing the l o tusflower b u t r a th er h i s f a th er S es h em n e fe r I I . T h i s i m p l i e s th a t n o t S es h em n e fe rIII but Seshemnefer I I o f f i c i a ted as a v i z i er . Th i s resu l t has an extens i verelevance f o r th e d a t i n g o f t h e t o m b s o f t h e S es h em n e fe r - f a m i l y a t G i z a a n din a w i d e r s en s e f o r th e ch r o n o l o g y o f th e v i z i e r s o f t h e O l d K i n g d o m i ngeneral.

The a r g u m e n t a t i o n f o r d a t i n g t h e t o m b s o f t h e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l yproceeds in three s teps :1. A t th e b eg i n n i n g , th e i n te r co n n ec t i o n s o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l m em b e r s o f th e

Seshemnefer-family are to be inves t iga ted . The a im o f th i s research i s toestablish th e f i n a l f a m i l y t r ee o f t h e S es h em n e fe r - f a m i l y .2. I n a s eco n d s t ep s o m e p a r a l l e l s cen es f r o m th e t o m b s o f t h e I y m er y -family a t G i z a w i l l b e co n s u l t ed f o r co m p a r i s o n .3. At th e en d th e r e l ev a n ce o f t h e g en ea l o g y o f t h e S es h em n e fe r - f a m i l y f o rthe ch r o n o l o g y o f t h e l a te F i f th D y n a s ty a t G i z a , w i l l b e r eco n s i d e r ed .

The family tree of the Seshemnefer-familyIntroductionIt h a s b een a s s e r ted th a t th e l ea d i n g m em b er s o f t h e S es h em n e fe r - f a m i l y

are bu r ie d in the we s ter n f i e ld a t G i z a . Th e tom bs o f Se she mn efer I , I I an d I I Iare s i tua ted not fa r f rom each o ther in d i f ferent rows o f the cemetery enechelon ( Janos i 2005 , 236 -54) . A l l o f th em share the par t i cu la r i ty to ha ve tw ofalse doors in the wes tern wa l l o f the i r cu l t chape l (S trudwick 1985 , 41 -8 ;Janosi 2005, 284 -92) . Another pecu l i a r i ty cons i s ts i n the fac t tha t they conta ina d e ta i l ed r ep r es en ta t i o n o f t h e f a m i l y m em b er s , a m o n g th em o f th e m o th er o fthe t o m b o wn er a n d o f h i s b r o th er s a n d ch i l d r en .

The family of Seshemnefer IThe f i r s t g en er a t i o n o f t h e S es h em n e fe r - f a m i l y i s r ep r es en ted o n th e wes t

wall of the tomb o f Seshemnefer I (G 4940) (fig. 1) (Kanawati 2001, p i . 42) . I tscentral p a r t co n ta i n s th e r ep r es en ta t i o n o f t h e t o m b o w n e r a n d h i s w i f eImendjefas (Jmn-dfi=s) m o v i n g f r o m l e f t t o r i g h t . T h e ch i l d r en a r e d ep i c ted i ntwo rows in f ron t o f the coup le . In the upper row the daughters , i n the l owerrow the sons are to be seen.

The d a u g h te r s i n f r o n t o f t h e t o m b o wn er a n d h i s w i f e a r e l a b e l l ed a s "h i schildren" (msw=fi a n d m o v e f r o m r i g h t t o l e f t :


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F a m i l y , ances tor cu l t a n d s o me o b s e r va t i o n s o n t h e chronology. . . 153(1 ) N e f r e t h a k h u f u (Nfrt-hi -Hw=f-wj)(2 ) W e r e t k a (Wrt-k i )(3 ) M e s e h e r m u t e s ( M s h -r - m w t = s )2(4) N e f e r h a t h o r (Nfr-Hwthrw). T h i s d a u g h t e r i s t o b e s e e n a s e c o n d t i m e o n

the w e s t w a l l i n t h e r e t e n u e b e h i n d h e r m o t h e r I m e n d j e f a s .T h e s o n s i n t h e l o w e r r e g is t e r a r e d e s i g n a t e d a s " h i s c h i l d r e n o f h i s b o d y "

(msw=fn ht=f) a n d h a v e t h e n a m e s :(1) S e s h e m n e f e r t h e y o u n g e r (S S m -n f r n d s )(2 ) P e h e n p t a h (Ph.n-Pth)(3 ) A b Ob )(4) " H i s s o n o f h i s b o d y R a w e r " (zi=f n ht=f Rc -wr) . T h i s f o u r t h s o n is

s t a nd i ng c l o s e t o h i s f a t h e r . H e s e i z e s t h e s ta f f o f h i s f a t h e r , t u r n s h i sface b a c k w a r d s a n d t o u c h e s t h e l e g o f h i s f a t h e r .

(5) A f i f t h s o n o f S e s h e m n e f e r I , n a m e d K h u f u a n k h (Hw=f-wj-c n h ) , i sdep i c t ed o n t h e n o r t h w a l l o f t h e t o m b . H e is i d e n t i f i e d a s " h i s s o n o fh is b o d y " (zi=fn ht=f) .

Thr ee o f t h e s e s o n s o f S e s h e m n e f e r I ( G 4 9 4 0 ) a r e d e p i c t e d i n t h e t o m b o fSe shemne f e r I I ( G 5 0 8 0 ) , t h e r e c o r r e c t l y b e i n g i d e n t i f i e d a s t h e b r o t h e r s o fSe shemne f e r I I. T h e i r n a m e s a r e w r i t t e n o n t h e n o r t h e r n f a l s e d o o r o f t h et o m b o f S e s h e m n e f e r II (fig . 2) .

T h e b r o t h e r s a re p r o c e e d i n g i n a d e v o t e a t t i t u d e t o t h e i n n e r p a r t o f t h efa lse d o o r . T h e i r i d e n t i t y i s g i v e n b y a n i n s c r i p t i o n a t t h e t o p o f t h e n o r t h e r npar t o f t h e w e s t w a l l , w h e r e t h e c a p t i o n " h i s b r o t h e r s " (sn(w)=f) i s t o b e f o u n d( K anawa t i 2 0 0 2 , p i . 6 3 ). I n t h e f o l l o w i n g l i st t h e n a m e o f t h e t o m b o w n e rSe shemne f e r I I ( N o 1) i s i n c l u d e d .

(1) O v e r s e e r o f s c r i b e s o f t h e k i n g ' s d o c u m e n t s a n d p r i v y t o t h e s ec r et(jmj-r zS w r w n zwt hr j s$tf)

(2) T h e s c r i b e o f t h e k i n g ' s d o c u m e n t s a n d i n s p e c t o r o f t h e s c r i b e s o f t h ez ^ - g r o u p R a n e f e r h o t e p (zS r w n zwt shd zSw (n) z lb R r -nfr -htp)

(3 ) T h e s c r i b e o f t h e k i n g ' s d o c u m e n t s R a w e r I (z S c w n n z w t R r -wr)(4) T h e s c r ib e o f t h e k i n g ' s d o c u m e n t s P e h e n p t a h (zS r w n zwt Ph.n-Pth)(5 ) T h e s c r ib e S a t j u (zSZitw).A c o m p a r i s o n o f t h e n a m e s o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l s r e p r e s e n t e d o n t h e f a l s e d o o r

pane l o f t h e t o m b o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I ( G 5 0 8 0 ) w i t h t h e n a m e s o f t h e c h i l d r e n o fSe shemne f e r I i n h i s p r o p e r m a s t a b a ( G 4 9 4 0 ) r e v e a l s a c o n s p i c u o u scongruence o f t h e n a m e s . I t i s e v i d e n t t h e r e f o r e , t h a t t h e s o n s o f S e s h e m n e f e r Ia n d t h e b r o t h e r s o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I f r o m t h e f a l s e d o o r o f t h e t o m b o fSeshemne fe r I I a r e a l m o s t i d e n t ic a l . T h e f o l l o w i n g c o r r e s p o n d e n c e c a n b eobse rved :

2 Th e nam e signifies: "Th e crocodile will be her death" : Collom bert 2006, 33-42.


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154 H. AltenmiillerTable 1 T h e s o n s o f S e s h e m n e f e r I .Sons o f S e s h e m n e f e r I i n t h e t o m bof S e s h e m n e f e r I ( G 4 9 4 0 )

Seshemnefer I I a n d h i s b r o t h e r sin t h e t o m b o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I ( G 5 0 8 0 )

(1) S e s h e m n e f e r t h e y o u n g e r (SSm-nfr nds) (1) S e s h e m n e f e r ( I I ) (SSm-nfr)(2) R a n e f e r h o t e p (R c-nfr-htp)

(2) P e h e n p t a h (Ph.n-Pth) (4) P e h e n p t a h (Ph.n-Pthf(3) A b Ob)(4) R a w e r ( I ) (R r-wr) (3) R a w e r ( I ) (R'-wrf(5) K h u f u a n k h (Dw=f-wj-rnh)

(5) S a t j u (Zitw)

The c o r r e s p o n d e n c e is n o t c o m p l e t e . O n t h e o n e h a n d , t h e f a m i l y m e m b e r sA b ( S I- 3) a n d K h u f u a n k h ( SI -5 ) f r o m t h e t o m b o f S e s h e m n e f e r I a r e n o tdisplayed i n t he t o m b o f Se sh e m ne fe r I I , o n t he o t he r ha n d t he f a m i l ymembers Raneferho tep (SI I -2 ) and Sat ju (S I I -5 ) f rom the tomb o f Seshemnefer I Iare u n k n o w n t o t h e t o m b of S e s h e m n e f e r I.

It i s su r pr i s i ng t o f i nd a r e pr e se n t a t i o n o f t he so ns o f Se she mne fe r I i na ne ar l y i de n t i c a l o r de r a se c o nd t i me o n t he so u t h wa l l o f t he c u l t c hape l o fSeshemnefer I I (G 5080) {fig. 3 ) , t h i s t i m e ho w e v e r i de n t i f i e d a s " h i s so n " {zi=j)and " h i s c h i l d r e n " (msw=f) r e s p ec t iv e ly . U n f o r t u n a t e l y t h e n a m e o f t h e m a i nfigure rece iv ing the lo tus f l ower i s l o s t . There fore i t i s d i f f i cu l t t o ident i fy thelarge-seized pe r so n a t f i r s t g l anc e and t o de t e r mi na t e t he f ami l y r e l a t i o ns . Thenames o f t he c h i l d r e n a r e a s f o l l o w s .

(1) Se she mne fe r , o v e r se e r o f s c r i be s o f t he k i ng ' s do c ume nt s (jmj-r zSw rwnzwt)

(2) Raneferho tep , inspec tor o f the sc r ibes o f the z j f t -group (shd zSw (n) zib)(3) R a w e r , s c ri b e o f t h e k i n g ' s d o c u m e n t s (zS rw n nzwt)(4) P e h e n p t a h , s cr ib e o f th e k i n g ' s d o c u m e n t s (z$ rw n nzw t).For t he name s o f t he c h i l d r e n a r e i de n t i c a l w i t h t he name s o f t he b r o t he r s

of the tomb owner on the west wa l l o f the cu l t chape l o f Seshemnefer I I , i t i sclear t ha t t he i n d i v i du a l w h o is r e c e i v i ng t he l o t us f l o w e r b y h i s c h i l d r e n ,must be the f a t he r o f t he t o m b o wn e r , na m e l y Se s he m ne fe r I f r o m G 4 9 40 .This i s su pp or te d by the fac t that the bro thers o f Se she m ne fer I I f r om G 5080are i de n t i c a l b y na m e w i t h t he c h i l d r e n o f Se sh e m ne fe r I f r o m G 4 9 4 0. Th eanalysis o f the fami ly re la t ions l eads to the resu l t presented in table 2.

The r e s u l t c a n b e s u m m a r i z e d a s f o l l o w s :(1) T h e f a m i l y m e m b e r s r e p r e s e n t e d o n t h e n o r t h e r n j a m b o f t h e n o r t h e r n

false d o o r a n d t h e f a m i l y m e m b e r s f r o m t h e s o u t h w a l l o f t h e t o m b o fSeshemnefer I I (G 5080) are ident ica l . The d i f fe rence cons i s t s in a d i f fe rent

3 P r o b a b l y t h e t o m b o w n e r o f G 5 2 8 0 : P o r t e r & M o s s 21974 , 158 ; Brovarsk i 1997 , 261 -73 .4 P r o b a b l y t h e t o m b o w n e r o f G 5 2 7 0 ; P o r t e r & M o s s 2 1 9 7 4 , 1 5 8 ; J u n k e r 1 9 3 8, 2 1 7 - 2 3 .


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Family, ancestor cult and some observations on the chronology... 155Table 2 T h e f am i l y o f S e she m ne fe r I .Tomb o f Seshemnefer I (G 4940) Tomb o f Seshemnefer I I (G 5080)Sons o f S e she m ne fe r I f r o m thetomb o f Seshemnefer I (G 4940)

Sons o f S e she mne fe r Iin the lotos scene of thesouth wal l o f G 50805

Brothers o f S e she m ne fe r I Ion the nor ther n fa l sedoor of G 5080

(1) S e s h e m n e f e r t h e y o u n g e r(SSm-nfr nds)

(1) Seshemnefer ( I I )(SSm-nfr)

(1) Seshemnefer ( I I )(SSm-nfr)

(2) R a n e f e r h o t e p(Rr-nfr-htp)

(2) R a n e f e r h o t e p(Rr-nfr-htp)

(2) P e h e n p t a h (Ph.n-Pth) (4) P e h e n p t a h{Ph.n-Pth)

(3) P e h e n p t a h(Ph.n-Pth)

(3) A b (ib)(4) Raw e r ( I ) (R c-wr) (3) Rawer ( I ) (R c-wr) (4) Raw e r ( I ) (R r-wr)(5) K h u f u a n k h (Hw=f-wj- rnh) 6 (5) Sat ju (Zltw)

nomination of the family relations. On the false door panel they are captionedas "his brothers" (sn(w)=f) and on the south wall of the tomb as "his son"(zi=f) or "his children" (msw=f).(2) A solution for the different designations is given by the fact that thelarge-seized figure receiving the lotus flower on the south wall of the tomb isnot - as hitherto assumed - the tomb owner Seshemnefer II, but his fatherSeshemnefer I of G 4940. The scene obtains a new sense in relation to somekind of early ancestor worship.A minor problem remains in the fact that the mother of Seshemnefer II(G 5080) is named Meritites (Mrjt-jt=s), whereas the wife of his fatherSeshemnefer I (G 4940) is Imendjefas (Jmn-dfl=s)7 Both ladies share the sametitle as an "acquaintance of the king" (rht-nzwt). The discrepancy of thepersonal name of the wife of Seshemnefer I can only be explained by thesupposition either that Seshemnefer I had two wives with different names(Junker 1934,25; 1938,11) or that the wife of Seshemnefer I changed her namefrom Jmn-dft=s to Mrjt-jt=s at an date during her marriage w ith Seshemnefer I.In any case the identity of Seshemnefer II being a son of Seshemnefer I is notaffected. It is clearly evidenced by the names of the brothers represented onthe south and west wall of his tomb and therefore cannot be queried.

5 U nfo r tu na te l y , N . K a na w a t i do e s no t g i ve a ph o to g r ap h o f the so u th w a l l o f t he t o m bG 5080.6 N e i t h e r A b (ib) n o r K h u f u a n k h (Hw=f-wj-rnh ) o f the tomb o f Seshemnefer I can beidentified w i th Rane fe r ho te p w ho i s de p i c t e d tw o t i me s i n the t o mb o f S e she mne fe r I Iand t he r e fo r e p r o b ab l y i s o f s o m e i mpo r tan ce .7 Kanawat i 2001 , p i . 42 , 51 ; the name Jmn-dft=s o f the m oth er occurs on tw o s tatues o fPehenptah at Bosto n: B rov ars ki 1997, 266 [2], 267 [4] .


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156 H. AltenmiillerThe family of Seshemnefer IIAfter having eliminated the "children" (zi=f, msw=f) represented on thesouth wall of the tomb of Seshemnefer II (G 5080) as putative children ofSeshemnefer II we have to ask for the genuine children of Seshemnefer II.Three children of Seshemnefer II and his wife Henutsen are depicted in thecentral part of the west wall of the mastaba G 5080 where Seshemnefer II andHenutsen are sitting in front of an offering table. The children are representedunder the stool and identified as "his children" (msw=f).(1) Seshemnefer (SSm-nfr)6, the son(2) [Merit]ites ([Mrjt]-jt=s), the first daughter(3) his daughter Nedjetempet (Ndt-m-pt), the second daughter.The same children of Seshemnefer II and his wife Henutsen are found

again in the tomb of Seshemnefer III (G 5170) where they are represented onthe west wall of the outer panel of the southern false door (fig. 4). Similar tothe representation in the tomb of Seshemnefer II (G 5080) the brothers ofSeshemnefer III are depicted on the southern jamb of the southern false doorof the chapel (Brunner-Traut '1977,21995,29, colour plate IV, attachment-plate 4;Malek 1982b, 57). They are displayed in a devote attitude approaching to theinner part of the false door. Two of them are named Rawer, two others havethe name Seshemnefer.Table 3 T h e s o ns o f S e s h e m ne f e r I I.Sons o f S e s h e m ne f e r I I f r o m t he t o m bof Seshemnefer I I (G 5080)

Brothers o f S e s h e m ne f e r I II f r o m t he t o m bof Ses he m nefe r II I (G 5170)

(1) S e s he m ne f e r ( I I I ) (SSm-nfr) (1) S e s he m ne f e r ( I I I ) (SSm-nfr)(2) S e s h e m n e f e r (SSm-nfr) (? )9 (2) S e s h e m n e f e r (SSm-nfr)

(3) S e s h e m n e f e r (SSm-nfr)(4) Rawer ( I I ( ? ) ) (R r-wr)(5) Rawer ( I I ( ? ) ) (R r-wr)

If we look at the south w all of the tomb chapel of Seshemnefer III, wherethe scene of handing over the lotus flower is illustrated (fig. 5), we meet thesame constellation as in the tomb of Seshemnefer II (G 5080): "His brothers"(sn(w)=f) of the west wall of the cult chapel are designated as "his son" (z3=f)or "his children" (msw=f). Evidently the same state of affairs as in the tomb ofSeshemnefer II (G 5080) is to observe. The lotus flower is handed over to thelarge sized figure of the vizier Seshemnefer by "his eldest son Seshemnefer".8 A c e r t a in S e s h e m ne f e r ap p e ar s a s e c o n d t im e a s " h i s s o n " (zi=f) in the scene o finspecting th e ndt-hr-giits, se iz ing the s t a f f o f h i s f a ther : Kanawat i 2002 , p i . 62 .9 The case o f a second Seshemnefer in the t omb o f Seshemnefer I I (G 5080) i s prob lemat ic .It i s a s s u m e d t ha t t he s e c o n d S e s h e m ne f e r i s t he o n e w h o i s r e p r e s e n t e d o n t he eas t w a l lof t o m b G 5080 : Ka na w at i 2002 , p i . 62 .


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Family, ancestor cult and some observations on the chrono logy... 157Underneath three more children are represented. They are squatting on thefloor in a reverential attitude, all three are designated as "his children"(msw=f). Their names, which are mentioned in front of their representations,are identical with the names of the brothers of Seshemnefer III.

The situation can be summarized in the following table:Table 4 T h e f am i l y o f t he v i z i e r S e sh e m ne fe r I I.Seshemnefer I I (G 5080) Seshemnefer III (G 5170)Sons o f S e she mne fe r I I f r o mthe t o m b o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I(G 5080)

Sons o f S e she mne fe r I Iin the lo tus scene o f thesouth wal l o f G 5170

Brothers o f S e she mne fe r I I Ion t he no r th e r n f a l s e do o ro f G 5170

(1) S e she mne fe r ( I I I )(SSm-nfr)

(1) S e she mne fe r ( I I I )(SSm-nfr) (jmj-r zSw rw nzwt)

(1) S e she mne fe r ( I I I )(SSm-nfr) (jmj-r zSw rw nzwt)

(2) S e s h e m n e f e r (SSm-nfr)10 (2) S e s h e m n e f e r(SSm-nfr) (zS cw n nzwt)

(4) S e s h e m n e f e r(SSm-nfr) (zS cw nzwt)

(3) S e s h e m n e f e r(SSm-nfr) (zS rw n nzw)

(5) S e s h e m n e f e r(SSm-nfr) (zS pr mdit)(2) Raw e r I ( ? )(Rr-wr) (zS cw nzwt)n(3) Rawer I I (? )(Rf-wr) (shd zSw (n) zhb)

(4) N e f e r s e s c h e m p t a h(Nfr-sSm-Pth) (zS rw n nzwt)

Some minor differences occur concerning the titles of the personsrepresented. Anyhow it is obvious that all persons belong to the family ofSeshemnefer III.12 The large-seized main figure of the south wall of the tombtherefore must be the father of the tomb owner. He is the vizier receiving thelotus flower by his eldest son Seshemnefer III. Perhaps we have here to dowith an early instance of ancestor worship which elsewhere is unknown inEgypt of the Old Kingdom.The scene of presenting the lotus flower in the tombsof the lymery-family at GizaIf our conclusions are correct, the scene of presenting the lotus flowerestablishes the family relation between son and father perhaps on the basis of an

10 East wal l o f tomb G 5080 .11 Po ss i b l y the t o m b o w ne r o f G 5 4 7 0 : J un k e r 1 9 38 , 2 2 3 -3 5 .12 A p r o b l e m i s po se d b y the do ub l e r e pr e se n ta t io n o f t he s c r ibe Ra w e r (R r-wr) w h o s ename occurs on ly on the fa l se door o f Seshemnefer I I I . I t i s no t cer ta in that the scr ibesrepresented an d na m e d Ra w e r a r e b r o the r s o f S e she mn e fe r I II . T h e y a r e o m i t t e d i n thescene o f rece iv ing the lo tus f lower on the south wal l o f the tomb. So i t i s no t to exc ludethat at l eas t one o f these scr ibes named Rawer cou ld be an unc le o f Seshemnefer I I I , fo rinstance Ra w e r I f r o m to m b G 5 27 0 .


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158 H. Altenmullerearly cul t ic worship o f the ancestors o f the tomb owner . This could be one o f thereasons for the instal lat ion o f a fami ly tomb. A s imi lar feature can be observed inthe tom bs o f the Iym ery - fa m i l y a t G i za , wh ere the decorat ion o f the south w al l o fthe cul t cha pel expose s a c lose re lated fam i ly con nect ion (Reisner 1939 ,29-35) .

The para l l e l s are espec ia l l y c l ear in the tomb o f Iymery (G 6020) . S imi lar tothe de p i c t i o ns i n the to m bs o f the Se sh e m ne fe r - f am i l y , the ha nd i n g o ve r o f thelotus f l ower i s app l i ed to son and fa ther : I ymery , the son, i s o f fer ing the l o tusflower to h i s fa ther Shepseskafankh, whi l e fur ther fami l y members are a t tendingthe ac t ion . The argumentat ion l ine i s par t i cu lar l y conv inc ing because o f thedifference o f the name s o f f a the r and so n . I n the to mb o f I yme r y the name o fthe f a the r i s She pe se sk a fan k h a nd tha t o f the so n I ym e r y ( Le ps i us 1849 -1859 ,II, pi . 53a; W ee ks 19 94 ,52 -3 , f i g . 43 , p i . 29 ) .

A par a l l e l s i tua t i o n o c c ur s i n the to mb o f I yme r y ' s so n Ne fe r bauptah(G 6010) (Lepsius 1849-1859, I I , p i . 57b; Weeks 1994,27, f ig . 20, p i . 8) . Here too ,the so n i s p r e se nt i ng the l o tus f l o we r to h i s fa ther . A l t h o u g h the n am e o f thefather i s o n l y p r e se r ve d i n fa i n t t rac es (f o r u n k n o w n r e aso ns ) , the na m e o fIymery has been ident i f i ed conf ident l y by K . Weeks (1994 , 27 , f i g . 20 , p i . 8 ) .The conf i rmat ion i s g i ven by the sequence o f the t i t l es which are inscr ibed a tthe he ad o f the l arge -se i zed f igu re represen ted on the sou th wa l l o f the to m band be l o ng to I yme r y .

Seshemnefer I I, th e v i z i erIt i s s t range to observe that the h igh t i t l es o f the v i z i e r Seshemnefer I I d id

not l eave any t races in the ear l i e r tomb o f Seshemnefer I I (G 5080) a t Gi za ,albeit the to m b decor at ion i s w e l l preserve d . Th i s s i tuat ion i s d i f f i cu l t toexplain. Pe r haps we have to admi t tha t the to mb de c o r a t i o n was a l r e adyfinished when Seshemnefer I I took over the o f f i ce as a v i z i e r . Ev ident l y therewas no ne e d to mo d i f y the to mb de c o r a t i o n , pe r haps be c ause o the r me ansexisted to demonstrate the h igh rank o f Seshemnefer I I as a v i z i e r . S imi larinstances are k n o w n f r o m o the r to mb s o f the O l d K i n g d o m w he r e the t it le o fa v i z ier do es no t appe ar in the inscr ip t ions o f the to m b deco rat io n i t se lf , bu t i spreserved only in the s ta tuary .

A w e l l k n o w n e x a m p l e is p r o v i d e d b y p r in c e K h a e f k h u f u f r o m t h e e a r lyFourth D yn as ty (S i m ps on 1978 , 20 , f i g . 69 : Ca i ro C G 46 ; St ru dw ick 1985, 122[104]; Baud 1999a, 539^10 [179] (Hw=f-wj-h r=f)). His t i t les o f a v iz ier arecompletely om i t ted in h i s to m b on the Eastern F ie ld of the G iz a nec ropo l i s(G 7130+7140), bu t occur on a seated f igure (C G 46) w h ic h on ce m u st ha vebelonged t o h i s t o m b . It w as d i sc o ve r e d o u t s i de the to m b c hape l i n theTemple o f I s is ne ar the mas taba o f K ha e fk hu fu .

The se c o nd i ns tanc e c o me s f r o m the to mb o f Se sha tho te p H e t i a t G i za(G 5150) . Here too , the t i t les o f the v iz ier are not recorded in his tomb chapel ,


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Fami l y , ances tor cu l t a n d s o me o b s er v a t i o ns o n t h e chrono logy . . . 159b u t a r e p r e s e r v e d o n a s t a t u e f o u n d i n t h e s e r d a b o f h i s t o m b ( W i e n 7 7 8 8 )( J u n ke r 1 9 3 4 , 1 8 9 - 9 3 ; S c h m i t z 1 9 7 6 , 7 3 ^ (fftp-sSit); S t r u d w i c k 1 9 8 5 , 1 3 6 - 7[126]; B a u d 1 9 9 9 a , 5 7 6 - 7 [2 1 9 ]) . U n f o r t u n a t e l y t h i s c a s e i s n o t v e r y c le a r . T h eu n c e r ta i n t y i s c a u s e d b y t h e f a c t t h a t t h e n a m e o f t h e o w n e r o f t h e s t a t u e i sd e s t r o ye d , s o t h a t t h e i d e n t i t y o f t h i s p e r s o n a g e i s l e f t o p e n t o q u e s t i o n s .S i m i l a r l y t o t h e t o m b s o f K h a e f k h u f u a n d S e s h a t h o t e p , t h e s e r d a b o f t h et o m b o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I a t G i z a ( G 5 0 8 0 ) c o n t a i n e d v a r i o u s f r a g m e n t s o f t h eor ig ina l s t a t u a r y A t l e a s t f r a g m e n t s o f f o u r s t a t u e s a r e r e c o r d e d ( P o r t e r& M o s s 2 1 9 7 4 , 1 4 7 ; G a m e r - W a l l e r t , 1 9 9 8 , p i . 2 3 - 4 ) , b u t n o n e o f t h e m h a v e l e f ta n y t r a c e s o f i n s c r i p t i o n s . N e i t h e r t h e n a m e n o r t h e t i tl e s o f t h e i n d i v i d u a lrepresented a r e p r e s e r v e d . S o t h e y a r e n o t r e a l l y h e l p f u l .

T h e o n l y i n f o r m a t i o n r e l a t i n g t o S e s h e m n e f e r I I a s a v i z i e r i s f o u n d i n t h et o m b o f P e n m e r u ( G 2 19 7 ) a t G i z a , d a t e d t o t h e l a te F i f t h D y n a s t y ( G r d s e l o f f1943, 3 9 - 4 3 ) . I n t h i s t o m b a c o n t r a c t i s p r e s e r v e d c o n c e r n i n g t h e f u n e r a r yo f f e r i n g s o f P e n m e r u . It e m e r g e s f r o m t h e w o r d i n g o f t h i s c o n t r a c t t h a tP e n m e r u o n c e w a s a n e m p l o y e e o r a s u b a l t e r n c o l l e a g u e o f t h e v i z i e rSeshemnefer . I t i s r e g u l a t e d t h e r e i n t h a t t h e i n v o c a t i o n o f f e r i n g o f P e n m e r ubenef i ts f r o m o f a r e v e r s i o n o f f e r i n g (wdb-rd) g i v e n t o t h e v i z i e r S e s h e m n e f e rs t ipu la t ing : " a s f o r m y b r o t h e r o f m y f u n e r a r y e s ta t e , N e f e r h o t e p , a n d t h o s eb o r n t o h i m b y f a t h e r ( o r ) m o t h e r , t h e y a r e t h e k a - p r i e s t s o f ( m y ) f u n e r a r yestate f o r t h e i n v o c a t i o n o f f e r i n g (prt -hrw) i n ( m y ) t o m b [ . . . ] a s t h e y b r i n g(to m e ) t h e r e v e r s i o n o f o f f e r i n g s {wdb-rd) o f ( m y ) l o r d , t h e v i z i e r S e s h e m n e f e r[ . . . e t c ] " ( S i m p s o n 1 9 8 0 , 2 4 ) .

T h e t o m b o f P e n m e r u ( G 2 1 9 7 ) i s l o c a t e d n o t f a r f r o m t h e t o m b o fS e s h e mn e f e r I I ( G 5 0 8 0) . I t i s d a t e d b y G . A . R e i s n e r a n d W . K . S i m p s o n o n t h ebas is o f it s a r c h a e o l o g i c a l d a t a t o t h e l a t e F i f t h D y n a s t y ( R e i s n e r 1 9 4 2 , I , 2 9 2[2]; P o r t e r & M o s s 2 1 9 7 4 , 8 2 ; S i m p s o n 1 9 8 0 , 2 4 - 7 ) . T h i s d a t i n g s e e m s t o b ea p p r o v e d b y t h e s t a t u a r y b e l o n g i n g t o t h i s t o m b , a l t h o u g h W . S t. S m i t h ( 1 94 6 ,53) a n d M . E a t o n - K r a u s s ( 1 9 9 5 , 6 8 N o . 5; 7 2 N o . 2 4 ; 7 3 N o . 2 7 ) p r o p o s e a nearl ier d a t i n g t h a n t h e l a t e F i f t h D y n a s t y I f w e a r e r i g h t i n d a t i n g t h e s t a t u a r yto t h e e n d o f t h e F i f t h D y n a s t y , a n a p p r o x i m a t e d a t e f o r t h e l i f e t i m e o fS e s h e mn e f e r I I i s g a i n e d . H e c o u l d h a v e o f f i c i a t e d a s a v i z i e r i n t h e e a r l y p a r tof t h e r e i g n o f D j e d k a r e I se s i , p e r h a p s a s t h e d i r e c t p r e d e c e s s o r o f S e n e d j e m i bInt i w h o m a y h a v e s u c c e e d e d S e s h e m n e f e r I I i n h i s o f f i c e a s a v i z i e r i n t h em i d d l e o f t h e r e i g n o f D j e d k a r e I s e s i. 1 3

T h e c h r o n o l o g i c a l a t t r i b u t i o n o f t h e v i z i e r S e s h e m n e f e r I I t o t h e t i m e o fD j e d ka r e I s es i r e m a i n s n e v e r t h e l e s s p r o b l e m a t i c . P e r h a p s i t b e c o m e s c l e a re r b ycons ider ing t h e e x t a n t i n t e r c o n n e c t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e m a s t a b a s o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I( G 5 0 8 0 ) a n d o f I y m e r y ( G 6 0 2 0 ) a t G i z a . T h e e p i g r a p h i c a l i n t e r c o n n e c t i o n s

13 A s i m i l a r p r o po s a l has be e n pu t f o r w a r d f o r t he v i z i e r S e she mn e fe r ( II ) w h o has be e nidentified w i t h S e s h e m n e f e r I II o n e r r o n e o u s g r o u n d s b y S t r u d w i c k 1 9 8 5 ,1 4 0 .


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160 H. Altenmiillerbetween t hes e t wo t omb ins t a l l a t i ons res u l t a t f i r s t i n t he na me o f a doma in o fIymery o c c u r r i n g i n t h e m a s t a b a o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I . T h e e s ta t e n a m econcerned i s t h a t o f a " f o u n d a t i o n o f I y m e r y " (Grgt-Jj-mrjj). T h i s d o m a i ndelivers a cer t a in a mount o f o f f e r i ngs t o t he t omb o f Ses hemnefer I I ( J a cque t -Gordon 1962, 244 [20G5.12] ; Kanawat i 2002, 53 , p i . 65) .14 I n c o n s i d e r i n g t h eincorporation o f t h i s e s t a t e na me in t he l i s t o f doma ins o f Ses hemnefer I I i t i sevident t ha t t he t omb o f Ses hemnefer I I ha s t o be da t ed l a t e r t ha n t ha t o fIymery.15

The t o m b o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I ( G 5 0 8 0 ) m u s t h a v e b e e n c o n s t r u c t e d a n ddecorated p r i o r t o t h e a p p o i n t m e n t o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I a s a v i z i e r b e c a u s eotherwise i t i s no t pos s ib l e t o ex p l a in w h y t he h igh es t t it le s o f t he v i z i e r a remissing i n th i s t o m b . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , if w e c o n s i d e r t h a t S e s h e m n e f e r I Iofficiated a s a v i z i e r b e f o r e S e n e d j e m i b I n t i w h o o f f i c i a t e d a s a v i z i e rbeginning i n t h e m i d d l e o f th e re i g n o f D j e d k a r e I se s i, S e s h e m n e f e r I I m u s thave d ied be fo re t he a cces s i on o f Sened jem inb In t i a s a v i z i e r . T here fo re t hedating o f t he t omb o f Ses hemnefer I I ca n be s e t t l ed i n t he ra nge be t ween t heend o f t h e r e i g n o f M e n k a u h o r a n d t h e m i d d l e o f th e r e i g n o f D j e d k a r e I s e si .This l a t e da t i ng i s co r robora t ed by t he da t e o f t he s t a t ua ry o f h i s b ro t herPehenptah, w h i c h o n s t y li s ti c g r o u n d s h a s b e e n c o n v i n c i n g l y a tt r i b u t e d b yE. Brova rs ky t o t he end o f t he F i f t h Dyna s t y . 1 6

If w e n o w p l a c e t h e t o m b o f S e s h e m n e f e r I I a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e r e i g n o fDjedkare I s es i , a nd t he t omb o f h i s s on Ses hemnefer I I I l a t e r t owa rds t he endof t he re ign o f D jedka re I s es i i t i s unders t a nda b le t ha t a s ea l impres s i oncontaining t h e c a r t o u c h e o f D j e d k a r e I s e s i h a s b e e n f o u n d i n t h e t o m b o fRawer I I a t G i z a ( G 5470) ( Ju nk er 1938, 226, f ig . 45 [7]; Po r ter & M o s s 21974 ,163), w h o o n c e m a y h a v e b e l o n g e d t o t h e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l y a n d p o s s i b l ywas a b ro t her o f Se s he m ne fer I I I .

ConclusionsThe n e w d a t i n g o f t h e t o m b s o f t h e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l y is n o t q u i t e

different t o t h e u s u a l d a t i n g o f th e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l y w h i c h h a s b e e nproposed o n c e b y H . J u n k e r , b u t h o p e f u l l y i t i s m o r e p r e c i s e . H a v i n g t h echronology o f t h e w h o l e S e s h e m n e f e r - f a m i l y i n m i n d , it w i l l p e r h a p s b epossible t o reda t e s ome o t her t ombs o f t he cemet ery en eche lon , s uch a s t hetombs o f t he b ro t h ers o f Ses hem nefe r I I, R a w er ( I) (G 5270) (Por t e r & M os s14 This estates name is not recorded in the mastaba of Iymery.15 Baer 1960, 54 [21]: "Neuserre or a bit later"; Weeks 1994, 5: Iymery lived from Sahureto Menkauhor. "He probably died and was buried in G 6020 in the reign of M enkawhor".16 Brovarski 1997, 269-72 dates the statuary to the end of the Fifth Dynasty, whereasSmith, 1946, 54 proposes a dating to the middle of the Fifth Dynasty. Eaton-Krauss 1995,59 and 74 No. 30 prefers a dating to the early Fifth Dynasty.


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Family, ancestor cult and some observations on the chronology... 16121974, 163) and Pehenptah (G 5280) (Porter & Moss 21974, 163), and the morethe tombs of the brothers of Seshemnefer III as the tomb of Rawer (II) (G 5470)(Porter & Moss 21974,163; Jun ker 1938,13; 227, fig. 45 No . 7).

The fol lowing table is to i l lustrate the chronology of the Seshemnefer-family. The arrows indicate the length of the assumed l i fe time of the mostimportant exponents of the Seshemnefer-family during the Fifth Dynasty.A l ife time of 60 years has been su pp os ed for Seshem nefer I, II and III.17

Table 5 Proposal for the chronology of the Seshemnefer-family.Chronology of the kingsof the Fifth Dynasty18 Seshemnefer I(G 4940)

ca 2430-2370Seshemnefer II(G 5080)ca 2405-2345

Seshemnefer III(G 5170)ca 2380-2320Sahure (2446-33)Neferirkare (2433-13) thepseskare (2413-06) taneferef (2406-395) t 1iuserre (2395-64) t 1 \enkauhor (2364-55) 1 \jedkare Isesi (2355-17) 1 \Unas (2317-2297)

17 At the end it m ight be of some interest that a certain vizier Seshemnefer occurs in thecauseway reliefs of the pyramid of Sahure at Abusir, as I was kindly informed by Dr.T. El Awady. Unfortunately it is difficult to admit that this vizier Seshemnefer is thesame person as the vizier Seshemnefer II who officiated for a short period at the time ofDjedkare Isesi. A ll given data render obvious that the vizier Seshemnefer II from G 5080lived from the middle of the Fifth Dynasty through the reign of Djedkare Isesi and notunder Sahure. The distance between the last years of Sahure and the m iddle of the reignof Djedkare Isesi amounts to 100 years. It seems therefore erroneous to suppose a linkbetween the vizier Seshemnefer II of Sahure and the homonymous vizier of DjedkareIsesi.18 Chronology after Von Beckerath 1997,188.

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