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| The
tomb of Meketre belonged to Mentuhotep’s
chancellor and was located in cliffs above that
of his master. It was of the rock-cut type common
to the period with a steep approach ramp leading
to a monumental entrance and a long passage. The
tomb had been plundered a number of times over
the course of the centuries and the painted decoration
of the interior was deliberately vandalized but
one small chamber escaped notice until 1919 when
it was discovered by Herbert Winlock. It contained
twenty-five wooden models depicting all sorts
of aspects of the life of Meketre. There are model
houses along with granaries and cattle sheds so
Meketre would be well-provided with shelter and
food. The latter was prepared in model breweries,
bakeries and butcher shops. There were also workshops
where carpenters and weavers provided a permanent
supply of manufactured goods. Meketre evidently
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| Interior
of the serdab. Model boats & workshops |
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| owned
a number of boats—including fishing boats, skiffs
formal barges and even a kitchen boat. He would need
all of these in the Afterlife, especially to make the
pilgrimage to Abydos. One elaborate scene depicts Meketre
overseeing a ‘Cattle Count’ which takes
place in the courtyard of a country house and shows
herdsmen driving piebald cattle past a portico with
lotiform columns. Meketre sits there with his son and
four scribes while the chief herdsman presents his report.
A number of guards with sticks stand by—in case
there’s a problem with the reckoning. |
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| Servant
carrying a duck and a case of beer. Good
for her. |
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| Interior
of the serdab. Boats and a servant. |
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| Interior
of the serdab. Cattle inspection. |
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| Model
of a cattle inspection |
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