Sekhemkhet

Djoserteti was perhaps the third Egyptian King (Pharaoh) of the 3rd Dynasty (Old Kingdom), which was ruled according to Thomas Schneider around 2700 to 2695 BC. He is primarily identified with the contemporary occupied Horus name Sekhemkhet.

Documents

From this Pharaoh known two reliefs from the Wadi Maghara ( Sinai ), which falsely King Semerkhet (1st Dynasty) were attributed to the discovery of Sekhemkhet pyramid. The first, larger relief shows Sekhemkhet twice the figure of a king wearing the Red Crown, the other the White Crown. The second, slightly smaller relief depicts the ruler with the traditional " slaying the enemy." Law is well documented Sekhemkhet by seal impressions from his Step Pyramid at Sakkara and of Elephantine.

From the fifth dynasty of the Abusir papyrus, wherein the cartridge name Teti is called comes. The papyrus itself dates from the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Neferirkare.

In the Late period dates the statue of a Persian priest, is to be read at their base, that the priest the dead service for the rulers Djeser ( Zoser ), Djeser - teti ( Sekhemkhet ) and Teti had entertained.

Origin and family

The majority of Egyptology sees Sekhemkhet the brother of King Djoser. This assumption is based on two factors: On the one Sekhemkhet let his grave facility in close proximity to the Djoser complex construct and the grave architecture of the underground galleries is directly comparable with that of the Djoser pyramid. The architectural development under Sekhemkhet so close in time directly to its predecessor. On the other hand, the rock reliefs in Sinai striking stylistic similarities, especially Sekhemkhet is presented with exactly the same insignia and garments such as Djoser. In addition, workers graffito in Sekhemkhet complex that call as head of construction Imhotep. This was also responsible for the establishment and oversight of the Djoser complex.

Sekhemkhet may have been married, according to Wolfgang Helck with a queen named Djeseret -ankh - Nebti. Your name appears on multiple ivory templates that have been discovered in the underground galleries of the Sekhemkhet pyramid. Toby Wilkinson and Zakaria Goneim read the name, however, as " Djeser - ti" and see him as the Nebtinamen of Sekhemkhet, they identify it with the cartridge name " Djeserteti " and " Teti II " from Ramesside king lists.

Reign

With regard to the government of time, the Egyptologists disagree. For example, goes Myriam Wissa, citing the unfinished state of the Sekhemkhet pyramid of six years of reign. Also in the Turin Royal Canon Sekhemkhet be awarded six years.

The Greek historian Manetho lists Sekhemkhet under the name Tyreis on and certifies the regent seven years reign. Nabil Swelim is, however, at 19 years, because he believed that Sekhemkhet could possibly be as good identical to the mentioned by Manetho Tosertasis. This view is, however, generally rejected.

Special finds

On the Nile island of Elephantine several clay seals were discovered on which Sechemchets Nebti name appears. The Egyptologist Jean Pierre Pätznik examined the artifacts and spotted seal, on which the Nebti name will appear next to Sechemchets Royal Serech.

Construction

The grave of Sekhemkhet District is located in Saqqara, diagonally across from the Djoser complex. The plan was a step pyramid ( Sekhemkhet pyramid ) with a side length of 120 m and seven levels. However, it remained unfinished with seven meters high. At the completion of the pyramid would have been an estimated 70 m high.

In the grave chamber created in 32 meters depth Zakaria Goneim discovered on March 9, 1954 behind a sealed door one undecorated alabaster coffin, however, was empty. Only withered flowers jewelry was found. The sarcophagus is still a feature, because it has a front sliding door.

From the grave access branches off a number of side aisles. Also, they were unfinished and empty except for some ceramic and some gold jewelry, the artifacts are now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The side passages lead to a long tunnel, which is U-shaped cut in the rock and connect it to a total of 132 smaller storage rooms.

In the mastaba -shaped southern tomb Jean -Philippe Lauer found the remains of an approximately two year old boy.