Symbol of the Nubian colony's tomb in Thebes

Symbols of Nubian Colonial Tombs

Djehutyhotep, the ancient Egyptian Nomarch of the Nomos, under the rule of Thutmosis III and Hatshepsut in the New Kingdom. The large tomb of Djehutyhotep is different from most other tomb landscapes in the area that explorers have encountered. In the main chamber of the tomb, the wall paintings are similar to those of tombs in Thebes. Carved in stone, the wall paintings are decorated with architectural styles directly inscribed with inscriptions from his family's long history of cooperation with Egyptian colonization of Nubia, creating a local material context for the specific characteristics of the rock-painted scenes, such as a banquet scene with musicians, one of the oldest chariot scenes in private tombs in the Nile Valley, and a Nubian dance with drums, but probably similar to the musicians who appear in the tomb. The different ways in which the body proportions are measured in the scenes indicate a local approach to Egyptian art. This approach serves to reinforce the powerful position of Djehutyhotep's person, and the tomb inscriptions are arranged according to the themes displayed on the walls of the main chamber of the tomb. There are common characteristics that lead to the spatial and representational boundaries of social hierarchy.

The Tomb of Menna, Theban Tomb TT69 in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, part of the Theban Necropolis on the west bank of the Nile,

 Luxor. Menna was Scribe of the Fields of the Lord of the Two Lands in the 18th dynasty.

Colonial Nubian society during the New Kingdom The symbolism of the tomb that divided social space, coupled with the fact that the tomb chapel of Djehutihotep served as a space for the dissemination of the hierarchy that existed in the Nubian New Kingdom, the material culture from the tomb shows the later inhabitants with the presence of visitors, to the social order that is shown on the walls of the tomb chapel. On the southwestern wall of the main chamber, Djehutihotep is compared with an earlier painting with a parallel scene that is complete from the tomb scene of Djehutihotep. The similar representation as the tomb of Amenedjeh "Amenedjeh" also allows for a reinterpretation of the Djehutihotep scene as a hunting scene, a war scene, and Djehutihotep is above six men of different skin tones running.

The entrance to the tomb faces east. The orientation of the tomb entrance east-west in the solar cycle connects the tomb with the setting sun in the rebirth and life of the tomb. On the northwestern wall, the stone figure of Djehutihotep, who is supervising a worker, is taller than his two followers, with both arms facing forward. The stone figure wears an Egyptian collar, consistent with Egyptian depictions of workers, such as those in the tomb of Menna, but appears only in the context of one follower holding a staff. While another appears to be carrying a bag of arrows on his back, similar to a man in a hunting scene.

The Tomb of Menna, TT69 part of the Theban Necropolis on the west bank of the Nile, 

Luxor.Menna was Scribe of the Fields of the Lord of the Two Lands in the 18th dynasty.

The Nubian of Djehutihotep was found in the tomb of his brother, the Pharaoh Amenemhet. It seems to have combined the styles of several objects originally belonging to Djehutihotep, suggesting the presence of a palette. The scribe is seen in the same position recording his work and achievements in the tomb of Menna Theban, Tomb of Thebes 69, on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Luxor. The carved rock chapel is shaped like an upside-down T, consisting of an antechamber, an aft chamber, and a central altar, arranged perpendicularly to form a T. The antechamber of Menna Theban, Tomb of Thebes 69, is also called the Great Hall or the Transverse Hall, because of its orientation. On the northwest wall, two non-compliant Nubian workers in the same scene in the tomb of Djehutihotep are watering plants.

The mural above the western half of Djehutyhotep's tomb depicts a theme of care from servants and guests seated at a function. / Photo by R. Lemos, courtesy of the National Museum of Sudan

The inscription on the rock shows Jehutihotep and his followers performing their duties. Some of the text reads: “Open (to me) for the god of Teh[Ket]… Ruiu…” Säve-Söderbergh 1960 and the interpretation of the chariot in the Jehutihotep painting. In the same scene on the southwest wall, on the west side of the north wall, Jehutihotep is again depicted standing much taller than the workers, holding a staff as a symbol of power. In the Theban tomb, Menna is also shown standing, inspecting the workers while holding his staff, and four workers climb a date palm tree to collect fruit. One stands near Jehutihotep, followed by two men holding baskets as they collect fruit from a low tree. One holds a bird, while the other, probably a worker, holds two baskets with a staff on his back, lying flat on his back kissing the ground in front of Jehutihotep, who may be a person buried in an unadorned rock-cut tomb at Debera, Sudan, on the east bank of the Nile.

On the eastern wall of Djehutyhotep's tomb /

 A banquet scene on the northern wall of Djehutyhotep's tomb and his wife are seated with attendants.

A banquet scene on the north wall of Djehutyhotep's tomb shows his wife sitting down while servants come to visit; and a banquet scene on the western half of the north wall of Djehutyhotep's tomb shows seated guests being cared for by servants. A musician applauds, plays a flute and beats a drum. Another offers refreshments to guests seated behind him, who may be members of the Djehutyhotep family, one of whom may be his brother Amenemhat, who is buried across the river. The local background style and the use of Nubian Egyptian art reinforce the powerful position of the New Kingdom colony.

Workers on the northern wall of Djehutyhotep's tomb, standing with staffs /

 Four workers paying homage to their master. Photo by R. Lemos, courtesy of the National Museum of the Sudan.

The overall context of Jehutihotep's tomb suggests an alternative interpretation, that it may represent a patrol, a feast, a hunting scene, in the movement to establish control of Egypt, under Jehutihotep's jurisdiction, to the supervision of workers on the inscription, and from the many similarities with the Thebes tomb of Menna in the Theban necropolis, Amenehjet, Jehutihotep's successor. 

Citation: lemos rennan Egyptian Art in Colonized Nubia: Representing Power and Social Structure in the New Kingdom Tombs
of Djehutyhotep, Hekanefer and Pennut.