Rare funeral plaque reveals the life of an ancient Egyptian official
In 2019, a team of Egyptologists dug the Abu Sir cemetery, a huge tomb for kings and officials of the fourth and fifth dynasties (circa 2575–2323 BC). One day, they found something unexpected: a colorful white funerary plaque from the Fifth Dynasty, buried in an older mud-brick cemetery. The painting commemorated Sikhmeka, the treasury clerk, and his wife Hanutsen. Scientists were amazed by the quality of the coating and the details that reveal the life of this couple in the Pharaonic era.
The image below shows the moment the painting, which measures 3.5 × 1.5 feet, was discovered. The couple can be seen standing in the hallway, surrounded by hieroglyphs asking for offerings in the afterlife. Another scene can be seen above the entrance, where the couple sits at a table covered with bread, incense and flowers. Paint colors stand out magnificently against the background of white limestone.
This painting is unique because it combines different elements of funerary monuments in a creative way. These scenes are usually separate from each other, and do not appear at the same level or place. The painting also shows that Sikhmka and Hanutsen had good social status, although they were not high-level officials. This may be why an old cemetery was reused for them, rather than building a new one.
This painting contributes to our knowledge of the culture, religion and art of the Old Kingdom, which was an era of development and prosperity in the history of Egypt. It also makes the characters of Sikhmka and Hanutsen more vivid and human, and shows us a side of their lives that have passed for thousands of years.
Source: websites