American Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
By Mary Lavis and Brandon Case
Detail view of the Broad Hall after installation of deck balustrade and lighting (2009-12-13/2009-12-13) by Nicholas WarnerAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
TT69 is the burial place of an ancient Egyptian official named Menna.
He had a few titles, such as ‘Overseer of Fields of Amun’ and ‘Overseer of Fields of the Lord of the Two Lands.’
Theban Tomb TT69 (2017-11-14/2017-11-14) by HotepibreAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The layout of TT69 is typical of the 18th Dynasty. Theban tombs of this period were typically T-shaped, rock cut chapels carved into natural cliff sides. This tomb is comprised of three parts: the Courtyard at the front, followed by the Broad Hall, and finally the Long Hall.
The Long Hall
The Long Hall was part of the Tomb Chapel of Menna (TT69), located in Thebes or modern day Luxor, Egypt.
Long Hall Right Papyrus skiff wildlife and a procession of offering bearers without color chart (2009-03-02/2009-04-04) by Katy DoyleAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
Now, let’s take a tour down the Long Hall!
First, we’ll have to go way back; all the way to the 18th Dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian New Kingdom!
The TT69 Long Hall, also called the “Back Room”, is perpendicular to the Broad Hall. Decorations in the hall focus on Menna's transition from the world of the living to the world of the dead. The Long Hall is decorated with funerary scenes that likely illustrate an idealized funerary procession, in addition to funerary rituals and practices.
Fishing and Fowling
Moving deeper into the tomb we stumble across a fishing and fowling scene. The tomb owner uses a throw stick to hunt birds and spears fish in the marshes along the Nile River.
Menna fishing (right) and fowling (left) in the papyrus marshes (2009-03) by Katy DoyleAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
So, what makes this scene so special?
This image portrays a daily life activity that the deceased wished to enjoy in the afterlife. It also symbolizes the tomb-owner's conquest of the forces of chaos.
Long Hall Right Papyrus skiff wildlife and a procession of offering bearers without color chart (2009-03-02/2009-04-04) by Katy DoyleAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
Now, let’s take a look below! Who’s that in the picture?
Here we have Egyptian men bearing offerings. These offerings included food, drink, and precious materials, such as jewelry and rare stones.
The top of the wall painting displays a river full of wildlife native to Egypt.
The marsh in the painting houses an array of fish, birds, butterflies, a crocodile, and even a small cat stalking a nest of eggs.
Papyrus and its Multiple Uses
To the far left, the two men are holding papyrus plants, a highly important plant serving many functions in ancient Egypt. Mainly, it was used to make paper for writing and record-keeping. Symbolically, papyrus represented Lower Egypt.
Ancient Flora and Fauna Offerings
According to papyrus records and detailed wall paintings, hundreds of thousands of birds were offered to temples. They were also depicted in tombs as offerings to the deceased. In this scene, the man on the right bears indigenous fowl as wildlife offerings.
Symbolism and Ritual
Tomb paintings record important and symbolic rituals and material objects that would accompany the dead into the afterlife.
Long Hall Right Papyrus skiff wildlife and a procession of offering bearers without color chart (2009-03-02/2009-04-04) by Katy DoyleAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The far left corner of the painting even displays a boat floating on the river, another sacred element in Egyptian life.
Depictions of boats had religious meaning too.
The Bountiful Nile
Funerary boats were thought to transport the deceased to a cemetery across the Nile, or to the sanctuary of the god of the afterlife. A glimpse under the boat illustrates the bounty of the Nile under the water and along its banks.
Meanwhile, back in the Tomb of Menna, men bring offerings to a seated double statue of Menna and his wife, Henuttawy. They are positioned to look as if they are walking into the tomb towards the central shrine.
Raking Light Long Hall Far male offering bearers and remains of Menna and Henuttawy's double statue (2009-04-01/2009-04-04) by Katy DoyleAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
This shrine in the tomb chapel would be visited by the living. Visitors would leave offerings of food, drink, and flowers before the statue it housed.
Offerings
Here, we see a male Ancient Egyptian offering-bearer.
But…what’s that in his hands?
Long Hall Far A male offering bearer holding papyrus and lotus with color chart (2009-03-02/2009-04-04) by Katy DoyleAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
Once again, papyrus appears on the backside! But why is it shown twice?
While this plant was useful for making baskets, paper, rope, blankets, and much more, papyrus was also recognized to have religious value. It was sacred, as it represented growth and all things fresh and new.
In fact, it was so important that it was considered a gift of the Nile.
Now, let’s take a look at the other hand…
Long Hall Far A male offering bearer holding papyrus and lotus with color chart (2009-03-02/2009-04-04) by Katy DoyleAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
In his other hand the man is portrayed carrying a lotus flower!
The lotus flower was important since it represented rebirth in Ancient Egypt.
So, what is it about this tomb that makes it so important for people today to study?
Menna’s tomb provides us with insight as to how important funerary practices and the afterlife were to the Ancient Egyptians. It also gives us information about daily life in ancient Egypt.
Raking Light Long Hall Far male offering bearers and remains of Menna and Henuttawy's double statue (2009-04-01/2009-04-04) by Katy DoyleAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The tomb of Menna clearly illustrates that the ancient Egyptians believed that a well-prepared tomb was necessary for them to be resurrected after death.
Created by Mary Lavis and Brandon Case Studying at SUNY Cortland. Professor. Danielle Candelora
