The Monumentalization of Ma’at in the Tomb of Amenemhet: The Role of Text and Image in a System Approach to the Interpretation of Middle Kingdom Tombs

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2019: General Sessions" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Receiving little scholarly attention to date, most prior work on the tomb of Amenemhet at Beni Hasan has either focused on the translation of the titles and autobiography inscribed in and around the door jamb or on the description of the tomb scenes and accompanying decorations. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of this richly decorated structure, this analysis uses a system approach, taking into account the interrelationships among the various parts of the tomb. This integrated methodology recognizes that each of its components contributes to the comprehensive symbolism, message, and purpose originally intended, allowing a more complete and detailed picture to emerge that recognizes subtleties previously overlooked. In particular, the autobiography helps to guide and elaborate upon the interpretation of the images, clarifying and at times even changing the scholarly analysis. Through a careful study of all aspects of the tomb, Amenemhet as a man who upheld ma’at and dispelled chaos emerges as the dominant theme, evident in all of his actions that are portrayed. With this understanding, it then follows that the purpose of the tomb is to guarantee the owner entrance into the hereafter by monumentalizing his association with ma’at.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 24933