Hesy-Ra

Hesire (short form Hesi ) was a high official under ancient Egyptian King (Pharaoh) Djoser at the beginning of the 3rd Dynasty. He became known through the magnificent paintings in his grave and relief decorated wooden panels that represent his portrait and his official title and were with their discovery in good condition. Moreover, he was the ever first known physician of world history, provided that the interpretation of his title wr- IBH - swnw as the "Great of dentists and doctors," is applicable and this title was not only awarded symbolic.

• 3.1 Location and architecture
• 3.2 The wood panels
• 3.3 paintings
• 3.4 Objects found

Archaeological importance

Hesire was known primarily for his relief and inscription decorated panels of cedar, which were excavated in 1866 by Auguste Mariette and 1912 by James Quibell and are regarded as a masterpiece of wood carving art of the Old Kingdom, especially since the relief panels are in good condition for their age. Also, cedar is a type of wood that in ancient Egypt was rare and expensive and had to be imported from Lebanon. The sheer quantity of the processed Luxusguts suggests that Hesire must have been an important figure of high rank and with considerable wealth.

Identity

About the Name

Hesires name is for Egyptology of particular interest, as it provides indications that the sun cult in his time gained a new significance. The name of the sun god Re was phonemic written out in full here, which is actually usual notation with the sun symbol ( Gardiner sign N5) was kings and sanctuaries reserved.

Titles were

Hesire wore high titles such as " confidant of the king ," and " Big Buto ", but also " brother of Min", " governor ", " master of the royal scribe ," " Great of the Ten of Upper Egypt ", " elder of the Qed hetep "and" Heka - priest of Mehit ". They are listed on the wooden boards, which in turn were found in Hesires grave. He also carried the title of " Great for dentists and doctors " ( wr- IBH - swnw ), making it the oldest known occupied doctor. However, its title as a doctor have had by many and may more symbolic than practical significance. The translation of the title is not safe alternatives such as " Large Ivory and arrow Schnitzer " have been proposed.

Grave system

→ Main article: Mastaba of Hesire

Location and architecture

Its built of mud brick mastaba is located in the Northern District of Sakkara. It was originally about 43 feet long and at least 5 feet high, its north-south axis deviates only slightly from their orientation. The "official" entrance was on the east side. Behind lying leads one on the ground floor situated, close to the corridor decorated niches and Serdab. Near the western flank of the Mastaba led a formerly blocked, vertical shaft to the underground grave spaces. The actual grave chamber was found looted in the research.

The wood panels

The above-mentioned corridors contained on different panels of cedar wood figural representations of Hesire who present him standing in official costume or sacrificial altars sitting. While his face is shown in side profile, his body takes a 3/4-Haltung, so that each part of the body can be seen. This perspective composition is quite typical of the relief art of the Old Kingdom, as well as the fact that Hesires angular face with a mustache is his king, Djoser, modeled. The surrounding the portrait inscriptions mention the numerous high title, which held Hesire. The panels were found embedded in the recesses of a palace facade, and are now on display in the Egyptian Museum at Cairo.

Paintings

The niches in turn had been plastered and painted with various geometric patterns. At the time of excavation, the colors were still clearly recognizable red, green, black, yellow and white. The aforementioned palace facade was not formed about the outer wall of the mastaba, it was opposite, an enclosure in front. The inside of this wall was originally decorated completely with color. The painting of the west wall can be divided into three tabs: The Bottom consisted of a plain, red, continuous band above and unterseitigem black frame. In addition, there was a series of reed mat designs with different patterns in green and yellow. About this turn again shone a red ribbon. On the east wall, however, the lowest register held diamond patterns was composed of green and yellow. In addition there was the painted representation of the grave goods of Hesire, which included victims supplements such as breads, chicken, dates, and wine; next to images of oil -and decorative vessels, and write and hunting equipment. Also, various types and models of beds and chairs, and a table top with pedestal, whose top was decorated with the representation of a coiled serpent in itself ( " snake table " ), adorned the west wall. Each of these objects has been accompanied by short inscriptions were also painted and describes the contents of the vessels, and the images of the reproduced objects.

About the representations of the grave goods, in turn, was followed by a pattern of tent-like ornaments in red, white and black. To protect the precious murals that Mastaba has been filled in again after the excavation. Unfortunately, however, large areas of the decorations had already been destroyed due to weather conditions as well as by arson and grave robbers.

Found objects

Numerous stone and pottery were found broken. In between, the fragments of seal impressions found with the Horus name of the king Djoser, which allowed a temporal dating of grave system. The few remaining intact clay pots containing, among other remains of the coveted oil " Seti schemai ".