Limestone ostrakon with a register of workmen's absences

Deir el-Medina is the remains of a walled village for the craftsmen who built and decorated the New Kingdom tombs in the Valley of the Kings. It appears that a close record was kept of workmen's attendance, the materials used, and so on. This ostrakon seems to be a workman's register for 280 days of Year 40 of the reign of Ramesses II (about 1279-1213 BC). Only about 70 of these days seem to have been full working days. Aside from holidays and other non-working periods, by Year 40 of Ramesses's reign the royal tomb would have been substantially finished, and it is possible that men were taken off onto other projects.A list of forty names is arranged in columns of hieratic script on the right-hand edge of each side. To the left are dates written in black in a horizontal line. The reasons for absences are written above the dates in red ink. They are varied and give us a fascinating insight into some aspects of life in ancient Egypt. Illness figures prominently; a couple of examples of illnesses of the eyes are mentioned. One workman functioned as a doctor and was often away attending on others. Absences due to deaths of relatives are recorded, as are also references to purifications, perhaps relating to childbirth. Frequently a day missed is down to a man 'being with his boss'; other sources show that workmen did frequently do work for their superiors. Occasionally a man is away 'building his house', or at 'his festival', and there are even examples of drinking, in particular 'drinking with Khonsu'.There is mention of a Qeniherkhepeshef, who is also alluded to as 'the scribe' in several places. The British Museum also has a shabti figure and a funerary headrest belonging to Qeniherkhepeshef.