Djoser's Complex as a Source of Inspiration for the Decoration of Private Coffins in the Middle Kingdom

Coffins B7C and B14C from Dayr al-Barshā represent exterior decoration type VI, but the false door ornamentation on these sources differs from the usual pattern by reproducing the layout of the surrounding wall of the Djoser complex. The same motif is found on some of the circular walls of the pyramid complex of Senwosret III at Dahshūr, and on the sarcophagi of this king and some of his female relatives. This article argues that the ornamentation of the two Dayr al-Barshā coffins was inspired by this fashion trend, and that the ‘Djoser wall ornament’ can be regarded as a new dating criterion. It also suggests that owners of B7C and B14C took over (or were provided with) coffins with this decoration because of their close ties to the royal court. In a speculative note at the end it is suggested that the name of the original owner of B14C may not have been Djehutinakht, as is generally assumed, but Djehutihotep. If this is correct, we for the first time get an im-pression of what a major item of Djehutihotep’s tomb equipment might have looked like.

ISBN:9789004442825

Jaar van publicatie:2021