Wooden tomb model

Last updated October 28, 2023

Model showing Meketre overseeing the counting of his cattle. GD-EG-Caire-Musee120.JPG — Model showing Meketre overseeing the counting of his cattle.

Wooden tomb models were deposited as grave goods in the tombs and burial shafts throughout early Egyptian History, most notably in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. They included a wide variety of wooden figurines and scenes, such as boats, granaries, baking and brewing scenes and butchery scenes. These served as ways to preserve the action depicted for eternity in honor of the dead.^[1] The use of wood rather than other materials became popular in the first intermediate period.^[2] Over time the models of boats in particular went from life size to much smaller scale though they remained numerous, some boats being less than a meter in length and fleets at times being larger than 50 models. The 11th dynasty appears to be when there is a shift from making these burial boats river worthy to making them stand nicely for funerary display.^[3]

The number of models of scenes and boats increased as the periods changed and the types of figures in tombs shifted from people giving offering to scenes of daily life. This culminates in the Middle Kingdom where tombs could have over thirty scenes depicted, over fifty boats and only a dozen or so people giving offering. Compared to tombs in Giza that may have only twenty models with servants depicted.^[4]

Predynastic, Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom

Pottery and ivory models from the Predynastic and Early Dynastic periods are rare, but have been found to include similar items and scenes to the later models such as granaries.^[6]^[7] Stone miniature containers were developed at this time and use for ritual purposes with an introduction of copper containers in the 6th Dynasty however, pottery remained popular. These types of jars would also go on to inspire wooden models of stone containers in the Middle Kingdom.^[8]

During the Old Kingdom, limestone models of single figures taking part in a variety of daily life activities such as farming, food preparation, brewing, animal butchering, and entertainment were produced. Wooden boat models also had become popular and have been found in elite burials.^[6]^[7]^[9] The funerary boats of the Old Kingdom were often life size or at times oversized, believed to be part of the funerary precession a mummy would take or an offering to the deceased.^[3] Boats of the predynastic period were modeled after boats used in swamps, while the Old Kingdom brought the introduction of square shaped river boats.^[10] The models are often buried outside of the tomb, in the serdab, or in statue niches within the tomb.^[11] towards the end of the 5th Dynasty was when the first wooden models came into production, though often alongside stone pieces. These wooden models were smaller than those of later periods and less decorative in style.^[12] An example of this type of model can be seen to the right. Following the reign of Pepi II, such models are increasingly found in elite burials and in greater numbers.^[6]

First Intermediate Period and Middle Kingdom

The First Intermediate Period models usually consisted of two or more human figures attached to a base in a scene.^[13] These scenes can depict a variety of tasks including food production, crafting and other modes of specialized work though boats remained popular through this period as well.^[14] Boats of this period continued to diversify with the introduction of a new type of curved river boat, as well as boats that modeled ceremonial boats relating to solar worship and funerary practices.^[10] Boats would often come in pairs representing the trips north and south that a body would take before reaching its final resting place.^[15]

Most funerary models that survive today are from the Middle Kingdom, where not only the number of models increased but the variety of the models and what they depicted increased as well. These models could be found in many areas of the burial such as the tomb chapel, floor niches and shafts, or in the burial chamber, a good example of this variety can be seen in the tomb of Nakhti at Asyut.^[11] Models found in the burial chamber were orientated to the cardinal directions and coffin, and could be found both on top of the coffin and on the floor beside it. Most of the models are three-dimensional representations of common scenes that are found on tomb chapel walls. For example, granaries are found depicted on southern walls of Old Kingdom tomb chambers and as well as on the foot ends of Middle Kingdom coffins.^[16] Examples of the variety of models that can be found from these periods can be seen in the slideshow below.

A procession of offerings found in the tomb of Meketre in the 12th dynasty. The people depicted are believed to possibly be his children carrying these goods to his tomb.^[17]
Another model from the tomb of Meketre. This model depicts the practice of fattening up cattle before slaughter. In this model two workers are feeding the animals, one of which is too fat to stand, all of this is being watched by an overseer who is holding a baton.^[18]
Another model from the tomb of Meketre, depicting a granary. This model contains several workers counting the grain as others pour grain into the storage areas. The accountants write on scrolls of papyrus and wooden writing boards. The corners of the building are peaked which is believed to prevent rodent infestation and discourage theives.^[19]
One of many boats found in the tomb of Meketre, this paddle boat depicts a religious ceremony. In this ceremony a statue of the deceased would be taken on boat to Abydos to the temple of Osiris. This became a more common practice from the Middle Kingdom onward.^[20]
Another boat from the tomb of Meketre, this boat is believed to depict a fishing scene. A series of men assist in harpooning fish while others handle things that have already been caught.^[21]
The exact dating for this model is unknown it is believed to have possibly been from the First Intermediate Period or the Middle Kingdom. The model consists of a farming scene.^[22]

Some of the best known are the twenty-four wooden models that come from the tomb of Meketre (TT280), which are now found in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.^[23] The largest collection of models were found in Tomb 10A of Djehutynakht and his wife, also called Djehutynakht, at Dayr al-Barshā by the 1915 the Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts excavation which included "some 58 model boats and nearly three dozen models of daily life."^[24] These models are now at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.^[25]

Late Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom

During the reign of Senusret III, the use of wooden models in tombs declines and are no longer found.^[14] However, frequently included in discussions of Middle Kingdom models are several model boats have been found in New Kingdom royal burials, most notably the burial of Tutankhamun.^[26] Tutankhamun's flotilla included thirty-five boats.^[26] Other notable New Kingdom models are the boats of Queen Aahotep at Dra Abu el-Naga which includes one made of gold with silver figures and another made entirely of silver.^[27]

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References

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