The Four Niches and Amuletic Figures in Theban Royal Tombs
1964; American Research Center in Egypt; Volume: 3; Linguagem: Inglês
10.2307/40000986
ISSN2330-1880
Autores Tópico(s)Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies
ResumoA relatively rare architectural feature of Theban royal tombs and the objects for which it was designed amply warrant delineation in detail the set of four niches provided for the four amuletic figures, mounted on bricks/' that were to protect the deceased. Unlike the niches, the Protectors to name them conveniently in full realization that like purpose applies to all amulets are not limited to royal tombs in Thebes or in Egypt. Their time of origin was perhaps approximately the beginning of Dyn. 18, for they occur at least as early as the reign of Thutmose III. However, special provision was first made for them in the crypt of Thutmose IV. This provision, the four small niches, occurs regularly thereafter through the tomb of Seti I and probably that of Ramses II in the Valley of the Kings, in three or more contemporary queens' tombs, and apparently not again. Attention appears to have been first directed toward the Protectors and their texts, invariably from BD 151, by Naville.1 They are treated more fully by Gardiner after the discovery of two in the tomb of Amenemhat, t. Thutmose III, then in detail from another aspect by Mile Monnet.2 Gardiner finds the figures rare, the bases rather common,3 while their texts are drawn from the spell that includes a graphic representation of burialchamber combined with appropriate formulae for the objects it contains. His translation, based primarily on the papyrus of Yuya, may be abstracted as follows : Against the N. wall was placed a small wooden shawabti-like statuette with this text: '0 thou who comest to cast down, I let thee not cast down. O thou who comest to push aside, I let thee not push aside. I will cast thee down, I will push thee aside. I am for the protection4 of the Osiris N.' Against the S. wall, a reed with wick inside it, i.e., torch or flame: 'It is I who hinder the sand from choking the secret chamber, and who repel that one who would repel him with the desert-flame. I have set aflame the
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