Slab stela from the tomb of Niankhtet

Dynasty 3 (about 2686-2600 BC)

M13850

Sandy coloured stone with figures engraved into it

Length: 61cm

This is a very early form of a stela known by the name 'slab' stela. It is inscribed for a high official called Niankhtet and it would have been erected inside his mastaba tomb chapel. The inscriptions on the stela reveal Niankhtet was a royal acquaintance, director of scribes connected with petitions and scribe of reversion offerings. He is seated before a table of bread loaves. The right end column is a list of linen textiles he wished to take to the afterlife.

Gift of Joseph Mayer, 1867 (formerly in the collection of Joseph Sams).


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