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This fragmentary papyrus was first described by Lepsius.
It depicts the groundplan of the rock tomb
of Ramses IV, gives measurements of the various
rooms and hints at the surrounding mountains (which in reality are white
limestone). The rightmost part of the papyrus showing the entrance has
been lost, as has the bottom half, but assuming a symmetrical outlay
of the tomb the missing parts can easily be filled in.
The scribe used the traditional Egyptian way of including
in the drawing all the aspects thought to be of importance, changing
points of view: the double-winged doors and seemingly also the niches
are drawn in frontal view while the rooms and corridors are drawn as
in a groundplan (cf. also Ay's palace). No true scale is used: The drawing of
rooms and niches etc is approximate, giving an idea of their relationships
rather than their dimensions.
These principles were also used when depicting people:
the upper torso was shown en face, as was the eye, while head and legs
were drawn in profile, cf Ancient Egyptian
Portraiture.
Room W
a
Fitting of a bar (i.e. on the door)
b ... fourth, of 35 cubits, the width of 6 cubits, the
height of 9 cubits 4 palms.
c Corridor of 30 cubits, width
of 5 cubits 1 palm.
d Niche .. of
2 cubits, breadth of 1 cubit 2 palms, depth of 1 cubit 2 palms.
Room X: The ante-room
a
Fitting of a bar
b The ante-room of 9 cubits, width of 8 cubits, height of 8 cubits
c ? corridor 3 cubits (width)
Room Y: the Golden
Habitation, the tomb
a
Fitting of a ...
b Hall of gold in which the burial takes place of 16 cubits,
width of 16 cubits, height of 10 cubits
c There are from the first corridor to the Hall of gold
136 cubits 2 palms. There are from the Hall of gold to (the hindmost
room) 24 cubits 3 palms, total 160 cubits 5 palms.
Room Z
a
Fitting of a ...
b The corridor which .... of
14 cubits 3 palms, width of 5 cubits, height of 6 cubits 2 palms.
c The repository of offerings to the gods of 4 cubits
4 palms, height of 1 cubit 5 palms, depth of 1 cubit 3 palms 2 fingers.
d ... of 10 cubits, width of
3 cubits, height of 3 cubits 3 palms.
e ... of 10 cubits, width of
3 cubits 3 palms. height of 4 cubits.
Directly copied with permission from “Contemporary plan of the tomb
of Ramses IV.” An introduction to the history
and culture of Pharaonic Egypt. 2003.
17 Nov. 2003 < http://nefertiti.iwebland.com/building/groundplan.htm>. |
