Irukaptah, also know as Khenu, was "Head of the Butchers
of the Great House" and "Waab Priest of the
King". Hence, his 5th
Dynasty tomb at Saqqara
frequently known as the "Butcher's Tomb". It is
located on the south side of the causeway of Unas near a bend.
It is dug entirely out of the rocky wall. This is a well
preserved example of Old
Kingdom rock architecture that retains much of its painted
decorations. Besides the owner him self, at least nine other
members of his family were also interred in this tomb.
The entrance to this tomb faces almost north, with an
entrance chamber that then angles into a more or less
rectangular offering chapel that is oriented almost exactly
north-south. Within the chapel, an outstanding feature is the large number of engaged statues, some left in various stages of completion which provide valuable information on
the progressive steps in the execution of rock-cut statuary.
Of course, butchering scenes are quite prominent within the
tomb.
Just to the left of the entrance there are two registers at
the top of the wall depicting men making a bed and brining a
chest. Below, are two statue niches that continue around on
the eastern wall. The statues bear the names and titles of
Irukaptah's family members on the jambs. These colorfully
painted statues are unusual because the technique of
cutting them from the rock of the tomb wall is found nowhere
else at Saqqara,
in only a few tombs at Giza
from this period. The statues are painted with reddish-brown
for the skin, yellow kilts and brightly colored sashes. Short
black wigs, typical of the Old
Kingdom Period, adorn the heads of all of the men.
However, the statue on the end of the row is unfinished, and
beyond it are preliminary sketches for statues painted in red
ochre that were never carved out.
Above the statues on the eastern wall are the famous scenes
of butchering, which takes place in the presence of the
deceased. While one figures holds the legs of an ox, one of
the butchers skins the animal with a knife, while another cuts
into the entrails and uncovers the ribs. The deceased can also
be seen seated before tables laden with offerings in various
containers.
Further down the eastern wall, Irukaptah is depicted in a
boat, together with his family, fowling with a throw-stick.
Other men in smaller boats also partake in the sport, netting
birds and fishing. Next, there are four registers of scenes
with brightly decorated ships, probably hauling cargo, with
sails that bellow in a strong wind. Behind the sails are
cabins. Unfortunately, only the top two registers remain
intact. Further along the eastern wall is a very deep niche,
and above it, a painting of a seated Irukaptah.
 
Some of the Famous Butchers Scenes in the
Tomb of Irukaptah
At the back of the tomb are five shafts that have now been
filled in and on the walls are depicted various naval scenes
together with representations of hunting in the swamps.
 
Left: Irukaptah before a table of offerings in his tomb;
Right: Ships, probably hauling cargo
On the western wall near the back of the chapel is a false
door, and towards the entrance four more rock-cut statues in
niches consisting of three males and one female, though these
were never painted. An unfinished seated statue was also found
within this tomb.
References:
| Title |
Author |
Date |
Publisher |
Reference Number |
|
Art of Ancient Egypt, The |
Robins, Gay |
1997 |
Harvard University Press |
ISBN 0-674-00376-4 |
|
Atlas of Ancient Egypt |
Baines, John; Malek, Jaromir |
1980 |
Les Livres De France |
None Stated |
|
Early Dynastic Egypt |
Wilkinson, Toby A. H. |
1999 |
Routledge |
ISBN 0-415-26011-6 |
|
Illustrated Guide to the Pyramids, The |
Hawass, Zahi; Siliotti, Alberto |
2003 |
American University in Cairo Press, The |
ISBN 977 424 825 2 |
|
Treasures of the Pyramids, The |
Hawass, Zahi |
2003 |
American University in Cairo Press, The |
ISBN 977 424 798 1 |
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