GEM 2192

Sarcophagus of Djehutymose

The granite sarcophagus before you belonged to Djehutymose, a high-ranking official during Egypt’s 19th Dynasty, roughly around 1295–1186 BCE, in the New Kingdom. His burial was discovered at Tuna el-Gebel, in Middle Egypt—a site known for both elite and religious burials. Djehutymose held multiple prestigious titles, including “Royal Scribe,” “Overseer of Works at the Temple of Thoth,” “Overseer of Quarries of Amun-Ra,” and “Overseer of the Granaries at the Temple of Amun.” These titles indicate that he was deeply involved in temple administration, construction projects, and resource management—central functions in a state that intertwined religious duty with governmental authority. The inscriptions on his sarcophagus commemorate his service to the temple economy and Egypt’s vast infrastructure. During this time, elite scribes like Djehutymose were not merely bureaucrats—they were cultural stewards and powerful figures who operated at the intersection of temple, state, and cosmos. Though not royalty, his high status is reflected in the durable granite material and careful craftsmanship of the sarcophagus. The choice of burial site and the list of responsibilities carved onto his tomb highlight the esteemed role of literate administrators in sustaining the empire. This artifact stands as a testament to the intellectual and managerial elite of ancient Egypt—men who ensured the temples thrived, the granaries stayed full, and the gods were honored in stone and ceremony.The granite sarcophagus before you belonged to Djehutymose, a high-ranking official during Egypt’s 19th Dynasty, roughly around 1295–1186 BCE, in the New Kingdom. His burial was discovered at Tuna el-Gebel, in Middle Egypt—a site known for both elite and religious burials. Djehutymose held multiple prestigious titles, including “Royal Scribe,” “Overseer of Works at the Temple of Thoth,” “Overseer of Quarries of Amun-Ra,” and “Overseer of the Granaries at the Temple of Amun.” These titles indicate that he was deeply involved in temple administration, construction projects, and resource manag ... Discover more with Premium!

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