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An enigmatic graffito from the sun temple of Nyuserre and the meaning of the so-called "slaughterhouse"

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2016

Abstract

For a long time the presence of a "slaughterhouse" in the sun temple of Nyuserre has been taken for granted as the result of the investigation conducted by Ludwig Borchardt in Abu Ghurab in 1898-1901. However, several pieces of archaeological and textual evidence, including the documents from the Abusir papyri, which are contemporary with the sun temples, challenge thes reconstruction.

An important element in this discussion may probably come from the correct reading and interpretation of a hieratic inscription found inside the so-called "slaughterbouse" and later on completely forgotten. To this inscription, and the important institutions mentioned therein, we shall pay attention in this article.