The Theban Tomb (No. 409) of Si-Mut, Called Kiki

Abstract

DR. ABDUL-QADER has described tomb of Si-Mut and has related circumstances of its finding.1 It was a welcome by-product of joint clearance of tomb of Kheruef (No. 192) by Service of Antiquities and Oriental Institute from 1957 to 1959. In search for a place to dump debris from Kheruef court, two Ramesside tombs were discovered. One of them, dated to reign of Ramesses II, belonged to Royal Scribe and Chief Accountant of Cattle (of Theban temples), Si-Mut, called Kiki. When this tomb was excavated early in 1959, its southwest corner proved to be in an alarming state. Salt had invaded wall, so that surface was hanging in flakes, and stone underneath was crumbling. I therefore asked Dr. Abdul-Qader for permission to copy two long inscriptions running on three sides of west end of first room. At same time Dr. Charles F. Nims of Oriental Institute photographed as much of tomb as then limited space permitted. Happily Service consolidated much of wall, so that deterioration has been slowed down. Since Dr. Abdul-Qader has now published comprehensive report, I am now free to return to subject of this interesting tomb.2 Because of expense of reproducing extensive texts, I have to assume that reader has access to Abdul-Qader report. Many Theban tombs offer puzzle of a state of incompletion. This tomb has a first room essentially completed.3 In rear room, however, only back wall, with its four seated statues and a painted decoration of djed-pillars, was completed. other walls were left in some state of preparation: either sketched in outline or incompletely painted, with no inscriptions. As often, one has no answer to question: What happened to owner of this tomb, so that he was unable to see its completion ? present article does not pretend to be a full study of scenes and texts in tomb. I shall only skim cream, as my chief interest lies in two long inscriptions. Si-Mut is shown with two women, more commonly the Lady of House and Singer of Amon, (Rci:y), also designated as his sister, and the Lady of House and Singer of Amon, Ta-semenet. A writing on Pls. IV-V, with a fowl determinative, shows that latter name was understood as The Goose, a reading which does not appear in H. Ranke, Die digyptischen Personennamen, I, 367:14. At bottom of left reveal of doorway (Pls. X-XII), Si-Mut and Raiay are seated, enjoying song of a musician. My rough sketch shows no carved eye for singer, but I made no notation that he was clearly depicted as blind, so that this matter was undecided. His instrument is not customary harp of such scenes, but a lute with curious decorations at end. His song lacks inspiration of other such