Report on the Archaeological Fieldwork of the Australian Centre for Egyptology (Macquarie University) at the site of Meir Inspectorate of Quseia in Asyut

The expedition started its work on the 14^th of November 2007 and completed the fieldwork on the 31^st of December 2007. The work focused on the Old Kingdom tombs belonging to Pepyankh-heryib (tomb number D9), Pepi (tomb number D8), Niankh-Pepy (tomb number A1) and Pepyankh (tomb number 8). The work included the recording in photographs, line drawings and architectural plans and sections as well as restoration, conservation and archaeological survey.

The Importance of The Province and its Tomb Owners

The province of Meir, the 14^th Upper Egyptian nome, was considered an important region as it was the centre for the cult of Hathor. Unlike most of the other provinces, no tombs were found at Meir belonging to provincial governors and the individuals buried in the elaborate tombs in the region were overseers of priests of Hathor. Two officials buried in the cemetery bore the title of chief justice and vizier, the highest administrative office in the country. The same title was held by Hem-Re/Isi and Henku in the province of Deir el-Gebrawi, the 12^th Upper Egyptian nome, during the reign of Pepy I and perhaps Merenre. The responsibilities of the southern vizier appear to have been transferred during the reign of Pepy II from Deir el-Gebrawi to Meir, possibly due to the importance of the Pepy-ankh family.

The first family member attested in the nome is Pepyankh the elder and is buried at Quseir el-Amarna. He was married to a woman called Seshsheshet, which is a common name amongst the daughters of King Teti, founder of Dynasty 6. Despite the fact that the wife of Pepyankh the elder did not bear the title ‘daughter of the king’, this relationship remains possible as descendants of the royal family did not record their lineage when buried in the provinces. If Seshsheshet belongs to the royal family of the 6^th Dynasty this may explain the apparent importance of this family in general.

Significantly, the burial chamber of Pepyankh-heryib as well as that of his wife, Hewet-iah, is decorated and the latter bears more scenes and inscriptions than the chamber of the tomb owner himself. The name Hewet-iah has not been found in any Memphite or provincial tomb, which makes it difficult to trace her background. However, it should be emphasised that the decoration of the wife’s burial chamber is extremely rare in the Old Kingdom. The burial chamber of Waatet-khet-hor/Seshseshet, the eldest daughter of King Teti and wife of the vizier Mereruka, was left completely undecorated and her name was not even inscribed on the sarcophagus. As such Hewet-iah’s importance and her family background remains a historical problem that needs further investigation.

The Recording Work

The expedition completed the recording of the scenes and inscriptions in the chapel of Pepyankh-heryib during the last season (November-December 2006) and began the re-clearance of the two shafts in the tomb to prepare the architectural drawings. However, the expedition preferred to only clear the shafts and not the attached burial chambers to prevent any deterioration of the scenes and inscriptions already known from Blackman’s initial record.

From the beginning of the 2007 season, the expedition started the re-clearance of the burial chambers with the intention of recording these scenes and inscriptions in photographs only. The necessary conservation of the chambers was undertaken in accordance with the directions of the conservation department in the inspectorate. Upon completion of the photographic record (Figs. 1-3), the expedition re-filled the two shafts with clean sand to protect the rare decoration on the walls of the two chambers.

The expedition also started to record the scenes and inscriptions in the tomb of Pepyankh (tomb number A2) and was able to complete the recording of the three smaller rooms within the tomb (Figs. 4-6). All that remains is the recording of the pillared hall, which will be undertaken during the next season.

The preliminary study of the tombs at Meir indicates that they provide almost complete information on five successive generations of the same family. The founder of the family was probably Pepy-ankh the elder who was buried at Quseir el-Amarna and was followed by his son, Sobek-hetep/Hepi, who was brought up in and remained employed in the capital, as was usual at the time, until he succeeded his father in his provincial duties. It appears that after reaching a mature age Sobek-hetep built a tomb for himself in the Unas cemetery at Saqqara and was buried there without succeeding his father. Pepy-ankh the elder was then succeeded by his grandson Pepyankh-heryib (tomb number D9). In his tomb Pepyankh-heryib represents himself with both of his parents seated at separate offering tables and we believe that the inclusion of this scene enabled his parents to partake in the offerings presented to him personally (Fig. 7). As the parents were buried at Saqqara, far from Pepyankh-heryib, it was difficult for him to fulfil his filial obligations. Pepyankh-heryib was succeeded by his own son Niankh-Pepy (tomb number A1), then the latter’s son Pepyankh/Heni-kem (tomb number A2).

The Conservation Work

The expedition undertook all the necessary conservation work in the tomb of Pepyankh-heryib (tomb number D9) in the previous season (2006). Conservation continued this season in tombs A1 and A2 and was carried out by the conservation specialists in the inspectorate. It was noticed that the scenes were covered with a thin layer of lime perhaps as a result of being exposed to varying climatic conditions in recent years. In addition to dust and soot covering the surface, some fine cracks and small damaged areas on the surface of the walls and the fragile nature of the colour was also noticed. The conservators of the department were able to treat the lime deposit, to clean the walls as well as fix and strengthen the scenes and inscriptions on the walls. Special attention was given to the cleaning and strengthening of the colours of the scenes and inscriptions in the two burial chambers belonging to Pepyankh-heryib and his wife.

The Archaeological Survey

The site of Meir is characterised by an unusually large quantity of sand, blown up by the wind, which presumably covered many tombs including some of those previously recorded by Blackman. In order to draw an archaeological map of the region the expedition started re-clearing the sand in areas surrounding the important tombs, particularly in sections A and D. A number of tombs were uncovered and three of these have been blocked with a metal door, yet all were void of any scenes or inscriptions. However, these tombs could contribute to the study of the architectural development of provincial rock-cut tombs. Accordingly the expedition will record a selection of these chapels in an attempt to examine the region in detail.

The expedition also noticed that a large amount of sand had accumulated in front of tombs A1 and A2, making the approach more difficult as well as hiding some of their architectural features. It was decided to build a protective wall from the stones on the mountain so that it would blend well with the nature of the cliff. Sand was also removed from the area in front of the tombs’ façades and a pathway was built, which leads to the two tombs and connects their entrances. This provided easier access to the two tombs and aesthetically enhanced the appearance of the site.

The expedition would like to take this opportunity to present its sincere thanks to the Supreme Council of Antiquities for giving us the honour of working in this important region. We would particularly like to express our appreciation to Professor Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities; Mr. Sabri Abd-el-Aziz, Head of the Archaeology Sector; Mr. Magdi el-Ghandour, Director General of the Permanent Committee and Expeditions Affairs. We would also like to express our sincere thanks to the Director General of Archaeology in Middle Egypt, the Director General of Archaeology in Asyut and the Conservation Department for providing every assistance and in facilitating the expedition’s work. Special thanks are due to the accompanying inspector, Mr. Emad Bostan Atta, who did not spare any effort in helping the expedition achieve its goals.

Naguib Kanawati

Fig. 1. Palace façade decoration in the burial chamber if Hewet-iah

Fig. 2. Offerings and offering list in the burial chamber of Hewet-iah

Fig. 3. Decoration of the burial chamber of Pepyankh-heryib

Fig. 4. The funerary procession in Pepyankh-Henykem’s chapel

Fig. 5. Funerary boat in Pepyankh-Henykem’s chapel

Fig. 6. Representations of statues in Pepyankh-Henykem’s serdab

Fig. 7. Pepyankh-heryib and his parents, each at an offering table