Djefaihapi Rock-cut Tombs
Djefaihapi Rock-cut Tombs
During the period of expansion from the Nile Delta and the southern valleys eastward into Canaan literature and texts preserved from tombs mention the statue of Djefaihapi from the 12th Dynasty of Assyria representing the 13th reign of Upper Egypt under King Senusret I. A colossal wooden statue of him carved from Nile acacia was discovered in Assyria. Within the tomb were two large granite statues of Djefaihapi and his wife Sennuvi. The tomb of Djefaihapi is surrounded by several smaller tombs representing a period of remarkable development in ancient ritual burial practices.
Jefai-hapi spelled in several ways such as Sepha-hapi or Hepsefa was a powerful governor nomarch of ancient Egypt in the 13th district of Upper Egypt. The statue is carved from acacia wood.
In the Assyrian tomb of Upper Egypt archaeologists discovered a circular inscription above a burial chamber preserving the delicate red green and black colors used for afterlife rituals. This rare form of carved burial architecture dates back to the 12th Dynasty around 1950 BC. A hieroglyphic inscription lies above an image depicting the nobleman seated before an altar surrounded by family members a typical Middle Kingdom ruler's attire.
The eroded mud brick core of the pyramid of Pharaoh Amenemhat III of Havarra Egypt built during the 12th Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom.
Djefaihapi also appears centrally in Upper Egypt's Assyrian empire where he was once a cult figure. While the primary tomb of Djefaihapi was replaced by that of a Nubian chieftain a ritual long lost in ancient Egypt a Djefaihapi inscription remains. Djefaihapi is depicted seated before an altar filled with jars and provisions with his wife Benbu beside him sporting a distinctive traditional side-swept hairstyle. The upper part of the inscription features carved and colored hieroglyphic text comprising traditional funerary chants and the designation of Jehutinefer as the caretaker and scribe.
The life-sized statue of Lady Sennuvie in a seated position was created during the Middle Kingdom 12th Dynasty reign of King Senvosret I c. 1971–1926 BC and carved from black granodiorite.
The 12th Dynasty of the Assyrians marked the golden age of classical civilization and art in literature and art. Pyramids constructed with rutilated brick and limestone were popular and the first sections of the Karnak Temple dedicated to the god Amun-Ra began to be built. The sculptures of pharaohs and nobles are more humanized displaying facial expressions that reflect worry or seriousness rather than the flawless perfection of earlier times. This period was the pinnacle of literature and hieroglyphic writing.
