All underlined positions are linked
Asetemakhbjt B
I believe that Asetemakhbjt B was a daughter of the High Priest of Amun, Masaharta, son of
Pinodjem I by Asetemakhbjt A. Some egyptologists disagree with this and believe that this person
did not exist.
Asetemakhbjt B was the titular head of the Harem of Min, Horus and Isis in Achmim (Panopolis) and
held this modest position as a benefice. The leather funerary shrine (falsely called "tent" in the
literature), remains of which are pictured below, was found in 1881 in the Royal Cachette (TT320) in
Deir el-Bahri by Emile Brugsch who subjected it to intense mistreatment. The top of the shrine
shows vultures with outstretched wings and Masaharta's name and title with the suffix "maa-heru"
indicating that he was dead at the time the shrine was made. A side panel shows hieroglyphs with
the names and titles of King Pinodjem I and of Asetemakhbjt, calling her the daughter of the High
Priest of Amun, but not specifying which High Priest. This, of course, allows and has caused
considerable speculation.
Aside from this shrine, no traces of this lady have been found. As the shrine was found in TT320 and
one of Pinodjem II's wives, actually his sister, was Asetemakhbjt "D", the object is generally
attributed to her. It has been widely published that the top of the shrine was made for Masaharta
and the sides were later added for Asetemakhbjt "D" who is generally thought to have been initially
buried in TT320, where her coffin and intact mummy, as well as funerary offerings, were found.
There are several reasons why I do not accept this hypothesis. The low-ranking title on the tent
would certainly not have been used by, or for, Asetemakhbjt "D", Superior of the Harem of Amun in
Thebes etc. etc.
In January, 2007 the top of the shrine was examined and photographed by CESRAS Research Fellow
Sergej V. Ivanov and myself, probably for the first time in living memory. It is clear that the top and
the sides were made in the same workshop at about the same time, ie.: between the death of
Masaharta and that of Pinodjem. Facit: HPA Masaharta and his daughter Asetemakhbjt B
(Isetemkheb) were dead and Pinodjem was still king. The existence of the lady is clearly proved.
Edward R. Loring, CESRAS, 18.02.2007
Pinodjem I by Asetemakhbjt A. Some egyptologists disagree with this and believe that this person
did not exist.
Asetemakhbjt B was the titular head of the Harem of Min, Horus and Isis in Achmim (Panopolis) and
held this modest position as a benefice. The leather funerary shrine (falsely called "tent" in the
literature), remains of which are pictured below, was found in 1881 in the Royal Cachette (TT320) in
Deir el-Bahri by Emile Brugsch who subjected it to intense mistreatment. The top of the shrine
shows vultures with outstretched wings and Masaharta's name and title with the suffix "maa-heru"
indicating that he was dead at the time the shrine was made. A side panel shows hieroglyphs with
the names and titles of King Pinodjem I and of Asetemakhbjt, calling her the daughter of the High
Priest of Amun, but not specifying which High Priest. This, of course, allows and has caused
considerable speculation.
Aside from this shrine, no traces of this lady have been found. As the shrine was found in TT320 and
one of Pinodjem II's wives, actually his sister, was Asetemakhbjt "D", the object is generally
attributed to her. It has been widely published that the top of the shrine was made for Masaharta
and the sides were later added for Asetemakhbjt "D" who is generally thought to have been initially
buried in TT320, where her coffin and intact mummy, as well as funerary offerings, were found.
There are several reasons why I do not accept this hypothesis. The low-ranking title on the tent
would certainly not have been used by, or for, Asetemakhbjt "D", Superior of the Harem of Amun in
Thebes etc. etc.
In January, 2007 the top of the shrine was examined and photographed by CESRAS Research Fellow
Sergej V. Ivanov and myself, probably for the first time in living memory. It is clear that the top and
the sides were made in the same workshop at about the same time, ie.: between the death of
Masaharta and that of Pinodjem. Facit: HPA Masaharta and his daughter Asetemakhbjt B
(Isetemkheb) were dead and Pinodjem was still king. The existence of the lady is clearly proved.
Edward R. Loring, CESRAS, 18.02.2007
The falcons of Masaharta appear to the left of the area with rosettes. The gazelles
are at far left and the hieroglyphs referring to King Pinodjem are at the right.
Please note that this does not show a correct reconstruction. It appears that
Brugsch placed parts of the shrine in this order so as to have all the major design
elements on one photo.
are at far left and the hieroglyphs referring to King Pinodjem are at the right.
Please note that this does not show a correct reconstruction. It appears that
Brugsch placed parts of the shrine in this order so as to have all the major design
elements on one photo.
Names and title of King Pinodjem I on the side of the tent: cha-cheper-raw, pay-nedjem
mery-jmen. At right is a contour analysis of pigment saturation.
mery-jmen. At right is a contour analysis of pigment saturation.
Frieze showing antithetic
gazelles on the side of the
shrine.
gazelles on the side of the
shrine.
A section of the top of the shrine, showing splitting of the
leather due to rapid drying after having been unrolled by
Brugsch. Notice that the leather curls into the splits. This is
because the inner side of poorly tanned leather dries and
contracts faster than the outer side. Brugsch wrote that he
found the "tent" rolled up and that the leather was supple. This
is convincing evidence that the splitting occurred only after he
unrolled the shrine.
leather due to rapid drying after having been unrolled by
Brugsch. Notice that the leather curls into the splits. This is
because the inner side of poorly tanned leather dries and
contracts faster than the outer side. Brugsch wrote that he
found the "tent" rolled up and that the leather was supple. This
is convincing evidence that the splitting occurred only after he
unrolled the shrine.
| Shrine of Asetemakhbjt B from TT320 19th century Photo by Emile Brugsch |
Asetemakhbjt (Isetemkheb) B
Daughter of the High Priest of Amun Masaharta
21a Dynasty, Thebes