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Re-excavation of the Tomb of Horemheb

Mutnedjmet Queen consort of Egypt
Mutnedjmet
Queen consort of Egypt

The Lake Country Heritage and Cultural Society and the Friends of Fintry are delighted to present the first in their Distinguished Speakers Lectures. Dr. Geoffrey T. Martin, of University College London, will enlighten and entertain you as he discusses the Re-excavation of the Tomb of Horemheb.

  • Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 7 p.m.
  • Location: Creekside Theatre (10241 Bottom Wood Lake Road)
  • Admission: $10.00 at the door; Grade 7 students are admitted free

“The Memphite tomb of Horemheb is located in the Saqqara necropolis, near Memphis, Egypt. It was constructed before Horemheb ascended to the throne, and was never used for his burial. His two wives Mutnedjmet and Amenia were buried within the structure.

The tomb was discovered by art robbers at the beginning of the 19th century. Looted reliefs were acquired by a number of European and American museums. The tomb’s location was then lost; it was relocated in 1975 and excavated in 1979.

The tomb was built in 3 phases as Horemheb’s status rose. The first design consisted of an entry pylon into forecourt, a colonnaded court containing the burial shaft and 3 chapels or offering rooms. Intrusive burials were found in the side chapels. The forecourt was then walled to produce 2 small chapels, one at each side. They were entered by two new piercings through the pylon. A new walled forecourt was constructed in front of the pylon.

To make this extension a 5th/6th dynasty mastaba was demolished and the burial shaft with a burial chamber some 17m below incorporated into the new forecourt. Burials from the 19th dynasty were found at 9 m depth.

Finally the forecourt was closed by a pylon some 7 m high and colonnaded to form the first peristyle open court. The narrowed original forecourt was covered with a vaulted roof and contained statues while the chapels became storage rooms.

Military scenes were carved on the original peristyle court and scenes showing Horemheb’s duties in office on the walls of the later, 1st peristyle open court including one where he deputised for Tutankhamun on the north wall. Careful inspection shows that a uraeus was added to the images after Horemheb became Pharaoh.” (Source: Wikipedia)

2 Comments

  • I just may be able to make it.

    • That would be wonderful as I’m sure you’ll find it most interesting. Your granddaughter would enjoy it as well as she will study Egypt at school. Grade 7 students are admitted free.

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