Book of the Dead of Khamhor
This Book of Coming Forth by Day (commonly known as a "Book of the Dead") was inscribed for a high official named Khamhor (designated "Khamhor C" by Egyptologists). Possessor of a long string of important titles, Khamhor was a member of the illustrious Theban family of the powerful Fourth Prophet of Amun, Mentuemhat (see also 19.3.7 and 07.228.27).
This papyrus (which includes an additional 39 fragments at The Met, see 25.3.212e) was found in the entrance to Tomb MMA 57, where it had presumably blown after being discarded by ancient plunderers. Other parts of this same papryus are in the collections of other museums. All of these pieces likely come from Khamhor's burial, which may have been under the floor of the much earlier (about 1475 BCE) Hatshepsut temple nearby, where the lid of his coffin (now Cairo CG 41068) is said to have been found.
For more on this papyrus, see the Curatorial Interpretation below.
This papyrus (which includes an additional 39 fragments at The Met, see 25.3.212e) was found in the entrance to Tomb MMA 57, where it had presumably blown after being discarded by ancient plunderers. Other parts of this same papryus are in the collections of other museums. All of these pieces likely come from Khamhor's burial, which may have been under the floor of the much earlier (about 1475 BCE) Hatshepsut temple nearby, where the lid of his coffin (now Cairo CG 41068) is said to have been found.
For more on this papyrus, see the Curatorial Interpretation below.
Artwork Details
- Title: Book of the Dead of Khamhor
- Period: Late Period, Saite
- Dynasty: Dynasty 26
- Date: ca. 630 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb MMA 57, in rubbish at mouth of pit, MMA excavations, 1923–24
- Medium: Papyrus, ink
- Dimensions: Papyrus: L. 295.5 x W. 37 cm (116 5/16 x 14 9/16 in.); Frame (1): H. 39 × W. 33.5 cm (15 3/8 × 13 3/16 in.); Frame (2): H. 39 × W. 94 cm (15 3/8 × 37 in.); Frame (3): H. 39 × W. 70 cm (15 3/8 × 27 9/16 in.); Frame (4): H. 39 × W. 118.5 cm (15 3/8 × 46 5/8 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
- Object Number: 25.3.212a–g
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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ca. 630 B.C.
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ca. 990–970 B.C.
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