The Early Dynastic Funerary Enclosures of Abydos

Abstract

The site of Naga ed-Deir is located on the east bank of the Nile near Abydos. The Early Dynastic portion of the site consisted of four cemeteries. Cemeteries N1500 and N3000 contained primarily tombs of Dynasties I and II, while the tombs in cemeteries N3500 and N500 dated to Dynasties II and III. The preserved tomb superstructures were rectangular in plan and oriented roughly northsouth. The mastabas had mud brick walls with little or no batter constructed around inner cores of gravel, rubble, sand or mud brick. Evidence of enclosure walls and of small, walled courtyards on the western side of some mastabas was found. Super- and substructure walls were often coated with mud plaster over which a layer of white plaster was sometimes applied. The earliest and largest mastabas had niche paneled façades on at least their western (valley-facing) and southern sides. The back panels of some niches were painted red. Most mastabas were small and had only two niches on the western side. These niches, whether simple or compound, were short and topped with a lintel. The most common form of grave was a simple pit, the lower portion of which consisted of a single burial chamber, often lined with mud brick and roofed. Roofs were either flat and made of wood and mud plaster or mud brick, or vaults made of mud brick. Multi-chambered tombs were rare. Some burial chambers were accessed by a ramp or stairway, which was sealed with mud brick and, occasionally, large limestone slabs. Most tombs contained only a single burial. Pottery and stone vessels were the most common grave goods, but unusual finds such as the metal tools of a carpentry kit and an elaborate parure of gold testify to the ancient importance of the site and its inhabitants.