One of the more puzzling items from the post-Amarna Period is a triad group statue in the Cairo Museum, JE 37605.

Normally overlooked by most visitors to the Cairo Museum, the triad statue shows a set of three ruined figures, being from left to right, an adult female, a male child, and an adult male. What makes this triad statue interesting is the inscriptions and iconography seem to indicate this triad group represents the Pharaoh Horemheb, a royal wife (likely Mutnedjmet), and of most interest, a son of youthful age.

Cartouche inscriptions identifying the right adult male figure as Djeser-kheperure Setepen-Ra (Horemheb)

The back of the adult male figure showing the embrace of the adult female figure. While the damage to the adult female prevents specific identification as Horemheb's queen, Mutnedjmet, the entire composition indicates a "family portrait" of sorts. Also, iconography of the period indicates this is not a divine triad couple, as deities are not shown in such "embraces" with one another.

The adult female figure on the left is largely ruined, and over one-half of the figure is missing. The only remaining elements seems to indicate a queen, or possibly a goddess, wearing a tight-fitting "feather dress." No inscriptions remain on the left (female) side of the triad, so identification of the female is not possible. A touching feature of her presence is that of the female's left hand resting about the shoulder-blade level of the adult male figure. This also argues, by the iconography, against the statue group as representing a divine triad, as deities are not normally shown in such "intimate embraces," while mortals are.

The adult male figure on the right is headless, missing portions of his left side, and is heavily damaged as to limbs, but is otherwise about 80% intact. The remaining inscription along the side of the male's throne/chair reads with the cartouche of Djeser-kheperure Setepen-Ra, or Horemheb, and is taken to mean an identification of the adult male figure. The figure is also wearing royal regalia of the archaic royal tunic, fitting under the breast; a shendyt kilt which has a notably "dropped waist," with a bull's tail visible between the figure's seated legs. The remainder of a beard is suggested from the clavicle to sternum, although little remains to permit identification as to type. The right arm is loose, bending at the elbow, but the actual location of the right hand is unclear as there is no abraded area along the shendyt kilt to suggest the hand rested along the thigh. The left arm is missing at the shoulder, and not enough of the left side of the figure remains to suggest the position of the arm or hand.

As for the male child figure, between the adult subjects, one can see from the detail of the child figure, many elements of Amarna Period art remain, particularly the "Amarna belly," which is rounded and sporting the prominent late Amarna Period slack round navel (see Aldred, 1973: 63-67). The figure is bare-chested, and wearing a short kilt, with a"dropped waist" - also a feature of the Amarna Period as well (Watson, 1987:33). The advanced left foot indicates this is not an Osiride representation of a child (as a "memorial").While aging a "child figure" is Egyptian art is rather tricky, the length of the extremity bones seems to possibly indicate a youth between the ages of 6-9 years of age. However, the caveat remains the child's age could have been younger, although not an infant, as the arms appear to have rested again the thighs of the figure, arguing against the standard representation of a child with his finger to his mouth, indicating an infant younger than 6 years old.

However, as to who this male child is, the group statue is silent. No inscription is present to identify the child, and no abrading appears to either side of the child's figure, or above, between the adult figures, which might indicate an erasure of the child's name. It appears from the statue group itself this child was not identified in any way.

If one assumes a royal triad statue (rather than a divine one), the statue group brings up questions as to what occurred to this young male heir to Horemheb's throne. There are indications from Horemheb's Saqqara tomb Queen Mutnedjmet was interred there at one time, along with a stillborn child. Martin (Martin, 1990: 97) has suggested, from the remains, she died attempting to give birth to a royal heir. As the remains of the Queen show indications of multiple births, it is likely the stillborn buried with her was not her first attempt to provide the king with an heir to the throne. Infant mortality being quite high in ancient Egypt, it is most likely the child represented upon the triad group statue did not survive to take the throne.

Complicating the interpretation of this statue is the fact that many of Horemheb's monuments are usurped pieces from the reign of Tutankhamun. While not conclusive, it does appear that Horemheb's cartouche on the statue group may be an addition, as the depth of the shen ring (which surrounds the cartouche) is more deeply engraved into the limestone that the more lightly incised name within, indicating a possible erasure and new engraving of a throne name. If this hypothesis is correct (although we have no evidence to conclude this affirmatively), then the question which results is whether this group statue may, in fact represent Tutankhamun and his queen Ankhsenamun -- with a possible male heir? If so, perhaps another piece of the Amarna history puzzle, as indicated by the so-called "Egyptian Queen correspondence" with the Hittites, is to be found here.

The group statue is not catalogued in most standard works on the Cairo Museum, and there is no descriptive text attached to the exhibited piece. At present, I am not aware of any other historical or art analysis done of this statue group, but would be interested in learning more from readers as to such information. In all, a very intriguing piece.

Reading Resources and References:

Aldred, C. Akhenaten and Nefertiti. 1973. (New York, Viking Press) [Details features of Amarna Art styles]

Jannsen, J and R. Growing Up in Ancient Egypt. 1990 (London: Rubicon Press) [Discusses representations of royal children and infant mortality].

Eaton-Krauss, M. "Miscellanea Amarnensia." CdE 56 (1981): 245-264. [Particular see discussion of the changes in the "Amarna navel."]

Martin, G.T. The Hidden Tombs of Memphis. 1990 (London: Thames and Hudson) [Discussion of the Saqqara tomb of Horemheb].

Watson, P. Costume of Ancient Egypt. 1987. (London: Batsford). [Discussions of kingly dress and styles].

Text and Images © 2001 Griffis Consulting.

Reproduction or Linkages to this document require the express permission of the author,

Katherine Griffis-Greenberg