A wife with a masculine name and other secrets of the Egyptian jeweler Amenemhat

It would seem that Egypt has already been rummaged up and down, unearthed all the possible and impossible values of the Ancient Kingdom. But desert lands still give surprises to archaeologists. For example, recently in the ancient cemetery of Dra Abu el-Negga in the Valley of the Kings, an ancient tomb, 3,500 years old, was discovered, which was built for the jeweler Amenemhat and his wife Amenhotep. In addition to the well-preserved details of the tomb, scientists were interested in the question why the jeweler’s wife had a man’s name.

Jewelry work

According to researchers, inside the grave were found the remains of several mummies, wooden coffins, skeletons, ceramics and small statues, as well as jewelry and shabti figures that performed the work of the deceased in the afterlife.

The hieroglyphic inscriptions found inside the tomb show that it was originally built for a man named Amenemhat, who worked as a jeweler. The inscriptions say that his wife's name was Amenhotep, that is, she bore the name commonly used in ancient Egypt for men. However, the inscriptions said that Amenhotep held the title "lady of the house." Why the woman had a man’s name is still unknown.

Reusable tomb

The couple lived in the XV century BC, during the 18th dynasty, which belongs to the historical period of the New Kingdom of Egypt. At this time, Egypt united under the rule of one pharaoh, and the power of the state was at its peak.

The tomb was later used in the 11th and 10th centuries BC, during the 21st and 22nd dynasties. This time, modern historians call the Third Intermediate Period. In this era, Egypt was not always united, at times Libyan tribes ruled part of the country.

Excavations in the grave continue, and, as the researchers hope, next month, most likely, new discoveries will be announced.

By the way, the grave of Amenemhat is the second tomb belonging to the Egyptian jeweler, found this year. In June, on the island of Sai in the territory of modern Sudan, another grave was discovered that belonged to this noble and wealthy Egyptian.