Djehutihotep

Djehutihotep ("Thoth is satisfied") was an ancient Egyptian nomarch of the fifteenth nomos of Upper Egypt ("the Hare") during the twelfth dynasty, c. 1900 BC.

Djehutihotep
Nomarch
of the fifteenth nomos of Upper Egypt
Left jamb from Djehutihotep's tomb entrance now in Florence (inv. no. 7596)[1]
DynastyTwelfth Dynasty
PharaohAmenemhat II, Senusret II, Senusret III
FatherKay
MotherSatkheperka
WifeHathorhotep
BurialDeir el-Bersha

Biography
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Djehutihotep
in hieroglyphs
Era: Middle Kingdom
(2055–1650 BC)

Djehutihotep lived under the reigns of Amenemhat II, Senusret II, and Senusret III and was one of the most powerful nomarchs of the Middle Kingdom. His tomb—the only one among the necropolis of Deir el-Bersha that wasn't damaged by the explosives used in recent quarrying methods—is well known for the great quality of its decorations, a work carried out by an artist named Amenaankhu.[2] For this reason, it is believed that Djehutihotep died prior to the strict measures reducing the power of the nomarchs that were established by Senusret III. Indeed, as their charge became hereditary at the end of the Old Kingdom, the nomarchs became local rulers effectively, although not nominally, independent of the pharaohs. This situation led to excesses in the exercise of power that worsened steadily during the First Intermediate Period. It was not until Senusret's measures were imposed that such abuse of power later exercised by nomarchs, stopped posing a threat to the integrity of the Egyptian state.[3]

Being part of the hereditary nomarch system, Djehutihotep's family held the office of local governor for several generations. Djehutihotep was the son of a woman named Satkheperka and an official named Kay. The latter was the brother of Djehutynakht VI and Amenemhat, both of whom became governors of the Hare nome, although Kay did not. Djehutihotep was married to a woman named Hathorhotep. Her parents are not recorded in known sources. Several children of Djehutihotep are known. See "Nomarchs of the Hare nome" for further notes about his genealogy.[4]

Two limestone jambs from Djehutihotep's tomb entrance are now on display in the National Archeological Museum of Florence (inv. nos. 7596 and 7597), having been purchased by Ernesto Schiaparelli in 1891–92. The jambs list his several civil and religious titles, which include Treasurer of the King, Unique friend (of the King), Overseer of the priests, and Great overlord of the Hare nomos (i.e. nomarch). Djehutihotep was represented at the bottom of the jambs.[5]

The “colossus on a sledge”

By far, Djehutihotep is known best for the famous decoration inside his tomb that represents the transport of a colossal statue of him[6] that was nearly 6.8 metres (22.3 ft) high, being transported by 172 workers using ropes and a slide, in an effort that is facilitated by pouring water in front of the slide. With an estimated weight of 58 tonnes (57.1 long tons; 63.9 short tons), it was carved by a scribe, Sipa son of Hennakhtankh. Unfortunately, no traces of this colossus have ever been found.[3] The colossus' depiction itself was irremediably vandalized and destroyed in 1890, and all the existing drawings are based on a single photo taken the previous year by a certain Major Brown.[6]

Schematic drawing of the transportation scene of the colossus showing water being poured in the path of the sledge, long dismissed by Egyptologists as ritual, but now confirmed as feasible, served to increase the stiffness of the sand and likely, reduced the force needed to move the statue by as much as 50% [7]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Djehutihotep.
  1. Sergio Bosticco, Museo archeologico nazionale di Firenze, Le stele egiziane dall'Antico al Nuovo Regno, 1959
  2. Michael Rice, Who is who in Ancient Egypt, 1999 (2004), Routledge, London, ISBN 0-203-44328-4, p. 9
  3. Michael Rice, Who is who in Ancient Egypt, 1999 (2004), Routledge, London, ISBN 0-203-44328-4, p. 48.
  4. Harco Willems: The Nomarchs of the Hare Nome and the Early Middle Kingdom History, In: Jaarbericht ex Oriente Lux 28 (1983-84), p. 102
  5. Caption of the jambs, from the National Archaeological Museum of Florence.
  6. Davies, W.V. (1999). "Djehutyhotep's colossus inscription and Major Brown's photograph". In Davies, W.V. (ed.). Studies in Egyptian antiquities: a tribute to T. G. H. James (=British Museum occasional papers 123). The British Museum. pp. 29–35. ISBN 0-86159-123-2.
  7. Terrence McCoy (2014-05-02). "The surprisingly simple way Egyptians moved massive pyramid stones without modern technology". Washington Post.

Further reading
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