Papers by Dana Bělohoubková
Knowledge and Memory Festschrift in honour of Ladislav Bareš, 2022
Part of the Malkata Palace is commonly referred to in literature as the harem, based on the fact ... more Part of the Malkata Palace is commonly referred to in literature as the harem, based on the fact that this area
of the palace contains eight identical units that have a sandstone container, interpreted as a bathtub. This
contribution seeks to challenge this interpretation and show that no conclusive data exists to unequivocally
assert that this was the area of the royal harem.
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F. Coppens (ed.), Continuity, Discontinuity and Change. Perspectives from the New Kingdom to the Roman Era, Prague 2021, 2021
Amarna art has an exceptional position in Egyptian history; it is perceived as revolutionary. Thi... more Amarna art has an exceptional position in Egyptian history; it is perceived as revolutionary. This paper looks
at the decoration of the tombs of officials buried at Tell el‑
Amarna with the motivation to examine how
different their decoration was from previous periods. It shows how the chapels were adapted to the new
reality. How previous motifs were used, reinterpreted, imitated and composed into new scenes. The question
of whether the Amarna tombs had the same functions as the Theban tombs is also addressed.
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in: F. Coppens (ed.), Continuity, Discontinuity and Change. Perspectives from the New Kingdom to the Roman Era, Prague 2021, 193-207, 2021
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Archív Orientální, 2022
The institution pr-xnr was interpreted as a harem in traditional Egyptological literature. From t... more The institution pr-xnr was interpreted as a harem in traditional Egyptological literature. From the 1980s, it began to be viewed as a group of performers, especially for the period of the Old and Middle Kingdoms. The objective of this paper is to show continuity in the function of the studied institution and to demonstrate how the original translation was incorporated into Egyptological studies.
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Journal of Egyptian History
At the end of the Eighteenth and beginning of the Nineteenth Dynasty, several attestations of wom... more At the end of the Eighteenth and beginning of the Nineteenth Dynasty, several attestations of women named Tachat with the title wr.t ḫnr n jmn are possible to observe. These women all had a family background associated with service in the temple, mainly with the cult of Amun. This article brings these women together, and shows that the line of holders of this post in the Amun temple could imply the continuation of possible family ties among these female temple personnel. The family tree covers a rather long period of time for the women in question, who held this post in the cult of Amun even during the Amarna Period, demonstrating that some officials in Thebes were able to worship Amun even during the Amarna Period.
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Prague Egyptological Studies XXIX, 2022
A very characteristic aspect of the New Kingdom royal family is the involvement and integration o... more A very characteristic aspect of the New Kingdom royal family is the involvement and integration of royal
women into the royal ideology, as well as their participation in the cult; for example, their presence during
rituals such as the Opet festival. One of the foundations of the early New Kingdom state revolves around
the concept of the king on the throne and his mother, sister or wife in the role of “god’s wife” (Hm.t-nTr). This
system appears to cease being productive after the reign of Queen Hatshepsut, or perhaps still slightly later,
since the last female with this title is dated to the reign of Thutmose IV. It is highly possible that the position
of “god’s wife” was at that time replaced by the post of the “great of musical performance” (wr.t-xnr); a post
usually held by the wife of the high priest. The royal women later reappeared in this position, not only with
the title of the “god’s wife”, but from the reign of the Sethi I, several of them also held the title of the “great
of performers” (wr.t-xnr). This phenomenon could be symptomatic not only of the dynamic nature of both
institutions, but also of the power race between the royal and non‑royal
elite.
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Archiv orientální
The institution pr-hnr was translated as a harem in traditional Egyptological literature. From th... more The institution pr-hnr was translated as a harem in traditional Egyptological literature. From the 1980s, the interpretation as a Group of Performers is used, especially for the period of Old and Middle Kingdoms. The objective of this paper is to show continuity in the functioning of the studied institution and to demonstrate how the original translation was incorporated into the Egyptological studies.
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During the spring season of 2017, the study of the texts and relief decoration in the large Late ... more During the spring season of 2017, the study of the texts and relief decoration in the large Late Period shaft tombs of Iufaa and Menekhibnekau in the western part of the Abusir necropolis continued. The final publication of the texts from the tomb of Menekhibnekau is planned to appear in 2018. At the same time, the superstructure of another large shaft tomb, dubbed AW 6 and situated to the north-east of the structure of Udjahorresnet, was completely excavated. Originally, it consisted of an enclosure measuring about 19.5 metres square and surrounding a huge central shaft (about 14 m2 ). On the numerous limestone fragments, no traces of inscriptions or relief decoration have been preserved. A limestone base (originally serving perhaps for a stela) was found in its original position in front of the northern facade of the enclosure; similar bases were unearthed in the centres of the remaining three sides of the original enclosure in 2015. Therefore, the tomb might have been used for th...
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Pražské Egyptologické Studie, 2018
During the spring season of 2017, the study of the texts and relief decoration in the large Late ... more During the spring season of 2017, the study of the texts and relief decoration in the large Late Period shaft tombs of Iufaa and Menekhibnekau in the western part of the Abusir necropolis continued. The final publication of the texts from the tomb of Menekhibnekau is planned to appear in 2018. At the same time, the superstructure of another large shaft tomb, dubbed AW 6 and situated to the north-east of the structure of Udjahorresnet, was completely excavated. Originally, it consisted of an enclosure measuring about 19.5 metres square and surrounding a huge central shaft (about 14 m2 ). On the numerous limestone fragments, no traces of inscriptions or relief decoration have been preserved. A limestone base (originally serving perhaps for a stela) was found in its original position in front of the northern facade of the enclosure; similar bases were unearthed in the centres of the remaining three sides of the original enclosure in 2015. Therefore, the tomb might have been used for th...
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Pražské Egyptologické Studie, 2018
During the spring season of 2017, the study of the texts and relief decoration in the large Late ... more During the spring season of 2017, the study of the texts and relief decoration in the large Late Period shaft tombs of Iufaa and Menekhibnekau in the western part of the Abusir necropolis continued. The final publication of the texts from the tomb of Menekhibnekau is planned to appear in 2018. At the same time, the superstructure of another large shaft tomb, dubbed AW 6 and situated to the north-east of the structure of Udjahorresnet, was completely excavated. Originally, it consisted of an enclosure measuring about 19.5 metres square and surrounding a huge central shaft (about 14 m2 ). On the numerous limestone fragments, no traces of inscriptions or relief decoration have been preserved. A limestone base (originally serving perhaps for a stela) was found in its original position in front of the northern facade of the enclosure; similar bases were unearthed in the centres of the remaining three sides of the original enclosure in 2015. Therefore, the tomb might have been used for th...
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Budka, J.(ed). Egyptian royal ideology and kingship under periods of foreign rulers. Case studies from the first millennium BC. Munich, May 31 - June 2, 2018, 2019
This article represents a case study based on two sarcophagi from Late/Saite Period shaft tombs
a... more This article represents a case study based on two sarcophagi from Late/Saite Period shaft tombs
at Abusir where two variants of a single text are preserved. This so far unattested
composition which aims to help the deceased in reaching the afterlife, uses two liturgical
means. At first praises the creative powers of the sun-god and enumerates the aspects of his
royal duties in the created world, and then identifies particular parts of the deceased’s body
as well as his earthly duties with the sun-god and his activities. Besides presenting parts
of the above-mentioned unpublished text, the work deals with the problem of the usage of
seemingly royal religious concepts (as the corporeal identification of a person with the sungod)
in non-royal sphere during the Late/Saite Period.
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This article summarises the excavations of tomb AS 91, uncovered during the autumn season of 2016... more This article summarises the excavations of tomb AS 91, uncovered during the autumn season of 2016 at Abusir South. The mastaba was highly damaged and its superstructure had almost completely disappeared. Three shafts were detected in the mastaba core. Shafts 1 and 2 were rather shallow, but to the contrary, Shaft 3 was considerably deeper, and at its bottom, an unfinished burial chamber was hewn. The burial had been looted, but a few fragmentarily preserved human bones, a fairly high number of animal remains, and even two Barn Owl skeletons were collected there. The archaeological report is supported by an archaeozoological analysis of the animal remains and by an anthropological study of the fragmentary human bones. Abusir South – mastaba – superstructure – substructure – Old Kingdom – archaeozoology – anthropology Marie Peterková Hlouchová (marie.peterkovahlouchova@ff.cuni.cz) Czech Institute of Egyptology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University Dana Bělohoubková (BelohoubD@gmail.com...
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Prague Egyptological Studies, 2017
This article summarises the excavations of tomb AS 91,
uncovered during the autumn season of 2016... more This article summarises the excavations of tomb AS 91,
uncovered during the autumn season of 2016 at Abusir
South. The mastaba was highly damaged and its
superstructure had almost completely disappeared. Three
shafts were detected in the mastaba core. Shafts 1 and 2
were rather shallow, but to the contrary, Shaft 3 was
considerably deeper, and at its bottom, an unfinished burial
chamber was hewn. The burial had been looted, but
a few fragmentarily preserved human bones, a fairly high
number of animal remains, and even two Barn Owl
skeletons were collected there. The archaeological report
is supported by an archaeozoological analysis of the
animal remains and by an anthropological study of the
fragmentary human bones.
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EDAL VI, 2017
The Cannibal Hymn (PT 273-274, § 393-414), one of the most debated religious texts from the Anci... more The Cannibal Hymn (PT 273-274, § 393-414), one of the most debated religious texts from the Ancient Egypt, has been widely studied, translated and interpreted but its meaning has not been fully understood. It reflects the final acceptance of the king as an absolute power, the accomplishment of his heavenly ascension and thus becoming the supreme being of the Egyptian pantheon, the creator-god. The article aims, by comparing the so-called Cannibal Hymn and the Creation Myth, to (re-)define the motif of divine authority and the mutual relationship between the king and the deities within the two literary, religious and ideological compositions.
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The Aegean list has many different interpretations, for example the explanation of toponyms as a ... more The Aegean list has many different interpretations, for example the explanation of toponyms as a result of a military itinerary. This article discusses the possibility of a symbolic perception of this monument and tries to date the toponyms to the reign of Thutmosis III.
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This work is dealing with romanisation of Britain. In the first part, the situation before Roman ... more This work is dealing with romanisation of Britain. In the first part, the situation before Roman conquest of Britain is outlined. Further, I've tried to depict the process of invasion with accent on the policy of Romans toward the tribes. The second part of the work is dealing with the romanisation itself. We can observe this process for example on creation and development of towns, material culture, and transformation of religion. In the conclusion, I've tried to assess this factors and their part in this process
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Papers by Dana Bělohoubková
of the palace contains eight identical units that have a sandstone container, interpreted as a bathtub. This
contribution seeks to challenge this interpretation and show that no conclusive data exists to unequivocally
assert that this was the area of the royal harem.
at the decoration of the tombs of officials buried at Tell el‑
Amarna with the motivation to examine how
different their decoration was from previous periods. It shows how the chapels were adapted to the new
reality. How previous motifs were used, reinterpreted, imitated and composed into new scenes. The question
of whether the Amarna tombs had the same functions as the Theban tombs is also addressed.
women into the royal ideology, as well as their participation in the cult; for example, their presence during
rituals such as the Opet festival. One of the foundations of the early New Kingdom state revolves around
the concept of the king on the throne and his mother, sister or wife in the role of “god’s wife” (Hm.t-nTr). This
system appears to cease being productive after the reign of Queen Hatshepsut, or perhaps still slightly later,
since the last female with this title is dated to the reign of Thutmose IV. It is highly possible that the position
of “god’s wife” was at that time replaced by the post of the “great of musical performance” (wr.t-xnr); a post
usually held by the wife of the high priest. The royal women later reappeared in this position, not only with
the title of the “god’s wife”, but from the reign of the Sethi I, several of them also held the title of the “great
of performers” (wr.t-xnr). This phenomenon could be symptomatic not only of the dynamic nature of both
institutions, but also of the power race between the royal and non‑royal
elite.
at Abusir where two variants of a single text are preserved. This so far unattested
composition which aims to help the deceased in reaching the afterlife, uses two liturgical
means. At first praises the creative powers of the sun-god and enumerates the aspects of his
royal duties in the created world, and then identifies particular parts of the deceased’s body
as well as his earthly duties with the sun-god and his activities. Besides presenting parts
of the above-mentioned unpublished text, the work deals with the problem of the usage of
seemingly royal religious concepts (as the corporeal identification of a person with the sungod)
in non-royal sphere during the Late/Saite Period.
uncovered during the autumn season of 2016 at Abusir
South. The mastaba was highly damaged and its
superstructure had almost completely disappeared. Three
shafts were detected in the mastaba core. Shafts 1 and 2
were rather shallow, but to the contrary, Shaft 3 was
considerably deeper, and at its bottom, an unfinished burial
chamber was hewn. The burial had been looted, but
a few fragmentarily preserved human bones, a fairly high
number of animal remains, and even two Barn Owl
skeletons were collected there. The archaeological report
is supported by an archaeozoological analysis of the
animal remains and by an anthropological study of the
fragmentary human bones.
of the palace contains eight identical units that have a sandstone container, interpreted as a bathtub. This
contribution seeks to challenge this interpretation and show that no conclusive data exists to unequivocally
assert that this was the area of the royal harem.
at the decoration of the tombs of officials buried at Tell el‑
Amarna with the motivation to examine how
different their decoration was from previous periods. It shows how the chapels were adapted to the new
reality. How previous motifs were used, reinterpreted, imitated and composed into new scenes. The question
of whether the Amarna tombs had the same functions as the Theban tombs is also addressed.
women into the royal ideology, as well as their participation in the cult; for example, their presence during
rituals such as the Opet festival. One of the foundations of the early New Kingdom state revolves around
the concept of the king on the throne and his mother, sister or wife in the role of “god’s wife” (Hm.t-nTr). This
system appears to cease being productive after the reign of Queen Hatshepsut, or perhaps still slightly later,
since the last female with this title is dated to the reign of Thutmose IV. It is highly possible that the position
of “god’s wife” was at that time replaced by the post of the “great of musical performance” (wr.t-xnr); a post
usually held by the wife of the high priest. The royal women later reappeared in this position, not only with
the title of the “god’s wife”, but from the reign of the Sethi I, several of them also held the title of the “great
of performers” (wr.t-xnr). This phenomenon could be symptomatic not only of the dynamic nature of both
institutions, but also of the power race between the royal and non‑royal
elite.
at Abusir where two variants of a single text are preserved. This so far unattested
composition which aims to help the deceased in reaching the afterlife, uses two liturgical
means. At first praises the creative powers of the sun-god and enumerates the aspects of his
royal duties in the created world, and then identifies particular parts of the deceased’s body
as well as his earthly duties with the sun-god and his activities. Besides presenting parts
of the above-mentioned unpublished text, the work deals with the problem of the usage of
seemingly royal religious concepts (as the corporeal identification of a person with the sungod)
in non-royal sphere during the Late/Saite Period.
uncovered during the autumn season of 2016 at Abusir
South. The mastaba was highly damaged and its
superstructure had almost completely disappeared. Three
shafts were detected in the mastaba core. Shafts 1 and 2
were rather shallow, but to the contrary, Shaft 3 was
considerably deeper, and at its bottom, an unfinished burial
chamber was hewn. The burial had been looted, but
a few fragmentarily preserved human bones, a fairly high
number of animal remains, and even two Barn Owl
skeletons were collected there. The archaeological report
is supported by an archaeozoological analysis of the
animal remains and by an anthropological study of the
fragmentary human bones.
Shaft tombs of the Late Period constitute a key source for our knowledge of religious thought and concepts of an era that was in many ways ground-breaking and unique. The Saite–Persian tombs of Abusir all date to a very narrow time slot around 525 BCE. The inscriptions on the walls of tombs and sarcophagi contain a large variety religious texts; some finding their origin in the Pyramid texts of the Old Kingdom, on coffins of the Middle Kingdom or on the walls of tombs of the New Kingdom. The deceased was in his tomb and sarcophagi surrounded by a complex system of religious-magical texts and images, which at that point had already gone through centuries of development and various stages of transmission and editions. The surface of the inner sarcophagi, situated very close to the body of the deceased, included specific sets of texts. In the case of the tombs of the priest Iufaa and the general Menekhibnekau, the text compositions deal with the idea of connecting parts of the human body with various aspects of sun god Re as a means to protect the body of deceased. Although this particular concept is well-known from a number of other sources, there are as yet no parallels for the specific version found in the Abusir shaft tombs.
Paper will show on the example of the phenomenon of Aegean ceilings (dated to the era of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III) that decoration of the tomb, in the mid of 18th dynasty, can have strict decoration criteria according to owner status. It seems that Aegean ceiling was pattern, which was used exclusively by people one step under vizier, i.e. First prophet of Amun, Overseers of works of pharaoh.
Exception in this pattern can be tomb of scribe of the vizier Amenhotep (TT 82), which has Aegean ceiling despite of lower status of the owner comparing to other officials. After analysis of all sources, it is possible to explain reasons why Amenhotep had special treatment concerning his tomb and reveal connections which allowed him to use decoration of higher dignitary than he was.
In the Old Kingdom, the first text occurs only in hints or brief allusions and in the Pyramid Texts it is mentioned in a few Utterances. Its detailed version, however, comes from the Coffin Texts. Even though the Coffin Texts are considered to be a typical Middle Kingdom corpus, in recent years it has been suggested by some scholars that its origin can be found already in the Old Kingdom period (Baines 2004; Smith 2009; Hays 2011). The second, Cannibal Hymn, on the other hand, has been one of the most disputable religious texts coming from ancient Egypt (e.g. Faulkner 1924; Barta 1979 and 1991; Kammerzell 2000; Eyre 2002; Goebs 2004; Goedicke 2011). Although several translations and various interpretations exist, the real meaning of the text has not been fully understood. On the basis of latest research it seems that the hymn reflected final acceptance of absolute power of the king, and thus accomplishment of the process of his divination.
Although these texts seem to be unrelated at first sight, some crucial connections can be observed: both reflect distinct power of the sun, its uniqueness on diurnal sky, its life giving force etc. The present paper aims to (re-)define the motive of divine authority and the mutual relationship between the royal and the divine within the two afore-mentioned literary, religious and ideological topics.