Nefersetech

Nefersetech in hieroglyphics
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Nefersetech (also spelled Nefer-Setech ) was a high ancient Egyptian official of the Early or Old Kingdom . He became known through the mention of the god Seth in his name.

identity

Nefersetech became known through the mention of the god Seth in his name. His name is translated as “Seth is gracious”, since the Egyptian character Nefer ( Gardiner symbol F35 ) means “benevolent” or “gracious” in connection with deities and their names. The only title that has come down to us is that of a " Wab priest of the king". Nothing is known about family or other offices.

supporting documents

From Helwan comes a grave slab with an offering table scene made of polished limestone , on which Nefersetech is depicted as the deceased sitting at an offering table. He wears a skin-tight robe that is knotted at his shoulder. Nefersetech looks to the right, his name on a long line above his head. To the right of the offering table, the sacrificial dishes ( poultry , onions , lettuce and bread ), beer and wine mugs , grave goods (mainly incense and scented oils ) as well as valuable fabrics and clothes are listed.

Dating

Egyptologists such as Toby Wilkinson and Christiana Köhler assume that Nefersetech reigned during the second half of the 2nd Dynasty, at a time when Seth was particularly popular . His name is seen as important evidence of this as it is directly linked to the deity. Other researchers, such as Jochem Kahl and Katrin Scheele , have a stronger tendency to date Nefersetech's tenure to the early 3rd dynasty . The reason for this is, among other things, certain spellings in his stele inscription for valuable clothing fabrics and their dimensions, as they are only proven with the beginning of the 3rd Dynasty.

literature

Jochem Kahl, Markus Bretschneider, Barbara Kneissler: Early Egyptian dictionary, 1st part . Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 2002, ISBN 3-447-04594-9 .
Christiana Köhler, Jana Jones: Helwan II, The Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom Funerary Stelae. Leidorf, Rahden 2009, ISBN 978-3-86757-971-1 .
Zaki Yusef Saad: Excavations at Helwan . Oklahoma Press, Oklahoma (US) 1969.
Zaki Yusef Saad: Ceiling stelae in second dynasty tombs from the excavations at Helwan. Imprimerie de l'Institut français d'archéologie orientale, Cairo 1957.
Katrin Scheele: The material lists of the old empire: Lexicography, development and use . Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 2005, ISBN 3-447-05092-6 .
Toby A. Wilkinson: Early Dynastic Egypt . Routledge, London 1999, ISBN 0-415-18633-1 .

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b J. Kahl, M. Bretschneider, B. Kneissler: Early Egyptian dictionary, 1st part . Wiesbaden 2002, p. 234.
↑ ^a ^b K. Scheele: The material lists of the Old Kingdom. Wiesbaden 2005, pp. 13, 60, 62.
^ ^A ^b ^c ^d Toby A. Wilkinson: Early Dynastic Egypt. London 1999, p. 295.
↑ C. Köhler, J. Jones: Helwan II. Rahden 2009, pp. 160–162.
^ ZY Saad: Ceiling stelae in second dynasty tombs from the excavations at Helwan. Cairo 1957, pp. 51-53, plate XXX.
^ Christiana Köhler, Jana Jones: Helwan II .: The Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom Funerary Stelae. Rahden 2009, pp. 160-162.

personal data
SURNAME	Nefersetech
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	ancient Egyptian official
DATE OF BIRTH	28th century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH	27th century BC Chr.

[KBK-1] J. Kahl, M. Bretschneider, B. Kneissler: Early Egyptian dictionary, 1st part . Wiesbaden 2002, p. 234.

[KSD-2] K. Scheele: The material lists of the Old Kingdom. Wiesbaden 2005, pp. 13, 60, 62.

[TAW-3] A ^b ^c ^d Toby A. Wilkinson: Early Dynastic Egypt. London 1999, p. 295.

[4] C. Köhler, J. Jones: Helwan II. Rahden 2009, pp. 160–162.

[5] ZY Saad: Ceiling stelae in second dynasty tombs from the excavations at Helwan. Cairo 1957, pp. 51-53, plate XXX.

[6] Christiana Köhler, Jana Jones: Helwan II .: The Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom Funerary Stelae. Rahden 2009, pp. 160-162.