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A new tomb of transitional type from Abusir South - Mastaba of Nyankhseshat (AS 104)

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2019

Abstract

Mastaba AS 104 is located above the Wadi Abusiri, on the southern border of the Czech concession. It was preserved almost to the height of the former roofing, hence almost completely.

The whole structure was built on a platform with trapezoid section and, looking from the south, it must have appeared as two-stepped structure. The tomb was built for a custodian of king's property Nyankseshat, whose other titles reflect his position in the organization of work, overseeing of gold procurement and religious connection to the metallurgy, and represents, at least in the Abusir area, currently the last known tomb of transitional type.

Apparently, in the Fourth or Fifth Dynasty the main chapel fell into disuse and the mastaba was used by new owners (scribe of the Treasury and royal wab-priest Sekhemka and his spouse, king's acquaintance Henutsen), which is demonstrated by a limestone stela inserted into the eastern outer wall. The article presents an architectural and archaeological description of the tomb AS 104 and offers some preliminary analyses of the finds, supplemented also by preliminary information on human and animal bones found.

Last but not least it describes documentation challenges and methods used in the field.