The Tomb of Akhethotep and Ptahhotep

The Tomb of Akhethotep and Ptahhotep

This is a double tomb located within a group of mastabas on the west side of the pyramid at Saqqara . Akhethotep was "chief judge and vizier " and " Overseer of the Pyramid Towns and inspector of the priests of the pyramid Niuserre , Menkauhor and Djedkare - Isesi ." His son , Ptahhotep , whose tomb is an annex on the south side of his father , was also named as " Chief Justice and Vizier ," " Inspector priests pyramids Menkauhor and Djedkare - Isesi " and " Inspector of Wab - priests of the pyramid Niuserre . " They shall hold office during the reigns of Djedkare - Isesi and Unas , at the end of Dynasty V

 

False door in the chapel of Akhethotep

The entrance to the tomb is located on the north side and consists of a portico with two columns, leading to a hallway that was decorated incomplete. The remains damaged walls painted with scenes of agriculture and hunting birds, watched by Akhethotep Ptahhotep and his eldest son as a child.

 

Agricultural scenes in the tomb of Akhethotep

The hallway leads to a large hall with four pillars on the west wall of the room, a narrow door takes us into the chapel Akhethotep , which is a form of an inverted T . Here, the deceased can be seen sitting in front of several registers of scenes showing men making papyrus and birds games boatmen , farmers and fishermen and men making papyrus boats . Above the door there is a scene from the papyrus thicket , with birds flying . On the end wall ( south), there are scenes of carrier offerings and butchers . Only guidelines were drawn on the unfinished walls. On the west wall of the chapel is offering the false door Akhethotep which is surrounded by three legs . Although part of the upper part of the stele is missing , six images of the deceased can be seen on the bottom ( three on each side ) . The chapel has also led to a serdab .

 

Offering bearers in the tomb of Ptahhotep

On the southwest side of the room four pillars is the entrance through a small vestibule from Ptahhotep the grave. Inside the chapel and partly above the door Ptahhotep can be seen sitting while his servants may take his favorite animals , dogs and monkeys. Before him are eight registers including men bringing offerings and pay their respects . There are musicians , including a harpist and singer , trump jewelry making and scenes of butchery.
 
On the left wall (east) there are several records of scenes that are often very unusual. They are colorful images carved papyrus collection , children playing games , hunting in the desert , the construction of papyrus boats and make ropes and bird trapping and fishing. Ptahhotep and young son watch over these activities. Many animals are colorful and realistic portrayed in this tomb - leopards and lions , hyenas , antelopes, desert animals and pets and birds. There are even two porcupines , one is eating a cricket .

 

Reliefs of Ptah- Hotep

On the opposite (west ) wall Ptahhotep two false doors . The south pillar has a double leg is carefully painted and the deceased is represented on the left side being carried in a sedan chair and on the right side sitting in a booth. List of festivals are displayed above the lintel. Between false doors Ptahhotep , wearing an animal skin , sits at a table and the smell of pot of fragrant ointment. It provides lists for the dead, the priests and offer bringers . The north is uninscribed false door .

Block with the name of Ptah-Hotep (provided by another tomb)

The burial chamber contained a Ptahhotep sarcophagus inscribed with their names and titles. Fragments of intrusive burials Dynasties V and VI were also found in the tomb. His tomb-chapel is by far the most interesting part of this mastaba and reliefs are beautiful with well-preserved colors.

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The tomb of Akhethotep and Ptahhotep is usually open to visitors on request. Photography is no