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Northern Saqqara - The Mastaba of Mereruka, His Wife & Son
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The tomb of Mereruka lies directly opposite the Pyramid of Teti. He had the important position as Vizier (tjatey>) during the reign of Teti as well as being married to the king´s eldest daughter, Watet-khet-her, (also known as Seshseshet) who is also buried in the mastaba as well as their son, Meriteti. Mereruka was also Governor of MenNefer (Gr: Memphis) and Inspector of Prophets. Later, Mereruka became the high priest of Teti´s mortuary cult. His tomb is the largest one of the Old Kingdom tombs, witn no less than 32 rooms. In it are reliefs with scenes of customs and daily life in the Old Kingdom.
The mastaba is divided into three ares, one for Mereruka, one for his wife and one for their son. The entrance faces the Pyramid of Teti, and is thus on its southern side, which is unusual for the time.
Map of Sqqara excepting the most southern parts Copyright: www.xtec.es/~jarrimad/ antigua/tumbas.htm Entrance Rooms and Reliefs The rooms to the east of Mereruka´s part of the tomb consist of first a small room which leads to a burial shaft where his damaged sarcophagus was found. Of the mummy were no traces, probably it had been destroyed in antiquity by robbers. After this we come to the main hall where six square columns still stand. Five of these columns have reliefs and inscriptions with Mereruka and his titles, while the fourth one is dedicated to his son Meriteti. Statue of Mereruka in his Mastaba. photo courtecy of www.egyptarchive.co.uk On the walls here are reliefs of Mereruka´s coffin as it is carried as well as transported across water. Mourners, priests and dancers are following it. On the northern wall we can see Mereruka in a sedan chair, followed by his dogs and a pet monkey and even dwarfs. There is also reliefs of him together with his wife and mother as they watch boats being built and cattle reared. Here is a scene where two men try to get a hyena to swallow some pieces of meat. It is thought that this was done to stop the hyenas from eating the wild game. In this room is also a niche with a life-size statue of Mereruka in front of an offering table. On boths sides of a doorway on the far right, we see Mereruka, his wife and mother watching childrens´games. Boys are catching birds, helping with harvesting figs and doing gymnastics. Girls swing each other around. There are also other reliefs with Mereruka and his wife playing senet, with servants standing behind them. Further along, we see them sitting under a sunshade and watch as the farmers plough and thresh, and bring in harvest on donkeys and do other farming chores. The doorway leads into Meriteti´s part of the tomb. Meriteti´s Part of the Tomb Mereruka´s wife Watet-khet-her shown below his knee. Photo courtecy of www.egyptarchive.co.uk Watet-khet-her/Seshseshet´s Part of the Tomb |