2007 Field Note 6 - The Early Kings of Hierakonpolis

Hierakonpolis was old even to the ancient Egyptians, but the memory of its early kings was embodied in the jackal-headed Souls of Nekhen.

Hierakonpolis (Nekhen) has long been a site of profound significance for the study of Egypt's beginnings, not just because of zombies, and not just for us today. Even the ancient Egyptians thought it was old, and venerated its early rulers, their names long forgotten, as the jackal headed Souls of Nekhen. While the sheer extent and diversity of the predynastic (c 3800-3000 B.C.) remains (see introduction) attest to the historic basis of their beliefs, recent discoveries in the elite cemetery at the site indicate these memories stretch back much further than we ever imagined. These new finds are also allowing us to tie up many loose ends around that site (while creating others) and put together a much more coherent picture of the early rise of Hierakonpolis and Egyptian civilization, although there is still much we need to find out.

Based on the still unparalleled Painted Tomb (Tomb 100), discovered by F.W Green in 1899, it was believed that Hierakonpolis was at its peak in the Naqada IIC period, thus about 3500BC, a time of social change and economic development throughout Predynastic Egypt. One of the largest tombs of its time, the painted scenes on its walls containing elements that would go on to become characteristic of royal iconography proclaimed the royal status of its owner and his home town. But try as we might to find further evidence for this, everywhere we looked around the desert site, the extensive archaeological remains, which include breweries, food production installations (see 2007 Field Note 3), pottery kilns and ceremonial centers (see Narmer's Temple), all dated some 300-400 years earlier (early Nagada II period). This level of complexity suggested that strong rulers had already been established well before the owner of the Painted Tomb, but it was not until 2000 that the first clear indications of their existence were finally uncovered (see Elite Cemetery). The discovery of the elaborate and clearly royal tomb (Tomb 23) in the elite cemetery, first summarized in a special report (see Special Report: New Finds from the Elite Cemetery), has since been supplemented by further exploration that have revealed a vast and unexpected architectural complex and a unprecedented view of the very beginnings of Egyptian kingship, civilization and some if its more enduring characteristics. These excavations were made possible by a grant from the National Geographic Society and The Friends of Nekhen to whom we are very grateful.

The Painted Tomb, still the earliest tomb with painted wall decorations, originally suggested that Hierakonpolis had was already reach glorious heights at about 3500BC as the home of a powerful ruler, who was able to construct a large tomb decorated with prototypes of later royal iconography.

The elite cemetery at HK6 is located about 1.5 miles back in the wadi that cuts through the site. Excavations here under the direction of Barbara Adams uncovered the first hints of what was to come, but due to her untimely death, work here could not be resumed fully until 2005, but have been on-going annually ever since with remarkable results.

When we returned to the cemetery, we knew the tomb was going to be big, but full excavation exceeded our initial expectations when Tomb 23, turned out to be the largest tomb of its time period (c. 3800BC, Naqada IIAB) yet known. Measuring 5.5m long by over 3.1m wide, it is approximately the same size as the Painted tomb, but can be dated by associated pottery some 300 years earlier. That it can comfortably seat the entire excavation crew give perhaps even a better idea of its substantial size.

In addition to its size, it is also the earliest Egyptian tomb found to have clear evidence of above ground architecture. How tombs were marked has long been a question, and lack of evidence suggested a mound of earth was employed. Needless to say, nothing prepared us for what we found. Four post holes to either side of the tomb cavity indicate there was a superstructure above it. Preservation was such that we have not just the post holes, but also the posts!

Squared and dressed posts, now nearly 6000 years old, on the east side of the tomb cavity attest to a separate above-ground structure or chapel.

On the east side of the grave, posts also survive to indicate a separate above-ground structure, which we call an offering chapel, for lack of a better term. In addition to these buildings, hundreds of evenly spaced smaller post marked out an imposing enclosure wall that is 16m long and 9m wide and was originally, at least in part, painted a deep red. Completely unexpected, it presages the funerary precincts of mud brick known in the First Dynasty over half a millennium later.

No doubt a conspicuous structure, it is no surprise that the tomb and its surroundings have been severely plundered on several occasions. Nevertheless, the tomb chamber still contained many fine and unique items as would befit a regal owner including ivory pins and tags, stone and pottery vessels, part of a cow figurine, and scorpion statuettes; no doubt only a small part of its original riches. In addition, two further examples of the ceramic masks known exclusively from this cemetery were also recovered, although only their ears remain to tell the tale. Nevertheless, they were clearly similar to the more complete masks found earlier in association with another elite tomb further to the north in this cemetery. Curved to fit over the human head and attached by means of a thong passed through holes behind the ears, they are Egypt's earliest funerary masks and stand at the beginning of a traditions whose origin had long been a matter of conjecture.

Egypt's first funerary masks, even if those from Tomb 23 are represented only by their ears!

Although the two ears from two different masks suggest that at least two high ranking occupants were originally present in the tomb, the partially articulated remains of up to 5 individuals and the disarticulated remains of 7 others were found, but their association with the original burial is still unclear. However, multiple burials are common features of large and wealthy tombs at other sites in predynastic Egypt, but whether they are all family members or include servants and sacrifices remains unknown.

While the tomb chamber was pretty thoroughly rifled, the area to the east, in and around the so-called chapel was less disturbed, and it is here that we recovered fragments of Egypt's first near life size human stone statue. Its size and indeed its shape are based on the recovery of the well-carved nose and both ears. The rest of the statue, however, is represented by over 600 small fragments that have proved difficult to mend. Thus, while most statues are missing their ears and nose, we have the ears and nose and we're missing the statue.

The nose and ears indicate that Egypt's earliest life-size stone human statue once stood in the chapel.



The rest of the statue is less easily understood....

Evidently deliberately defaced at some point in time (a clue to a more intriguing story yet to be uncovered), it and the ruler it embodied were originally much revered to judge from the artefact deposits nearby. These included two stunning animal figures expertly created from chipped flint, an incised ivory handle, possible of a mace, several transverse arrowheads and, more surprisingly, a single human neck vertebra with a deep peri-mortem cut marks. To whom this vertebra may have belonged is unknown, but it seems likely that all of the objects are part of an intentional deposit of materials, in this case carrying strong connotations of power and control. Evidence for similar ritual or votive activity near, but not exactly at the corners became a recurrent pattern as the excavations widened into the surrounding areas.

While the scale of the architecture, the effort involved in its construction, and the presence of stone statuary and other goods, has already suggested that Tomb 23 belonged to an early rulers of Hierakonpolis, if not a far larger territory, the expanded excavations seem to leave little doubt, placing Tomb 23 within, and potentially as the focus of, an elaborate and unparalleled architectural complex.

To the north additional tombs were found. The largest, Tomb 26, although dwarfed by Tomb 23 is still of substantial size, measuring 3.30m long and nearly 1.5 wide. It too was clearly marked above-ground with larger posts supporting a superstructure and surrounded by an enclosure wall anchored in a deep foundation trench, showing that Tomb 23 is not unique in this respect. The grave was also badly plundered, but it still contained several objects attesting to its high status and a wide range of foreign contacts.

The most intriguing of the finds is a stylised scorpion of calcite which was pierced in the center apparently for mounting. Similar in style and size to the more fragmentary examples found in Tomb 23, these scorpion figurines stand at the beginning of the special relationship that Hierakonpolis had with the scorpion. This is best exemplified by the 27 scorpion figurines in the Main Deposit from the Early Dynastic temple in the floodplain, as well as that carved on the Scorpion mace head (also from the Main Deposit), which is most definitely mounted. This mounting shows that the carving refers not to an actual scorpion but to an image of a scorpion, no doubt derived from the type of image we have found at the HK6 tombs. A consensus on the meaning of the scorpion has yet to be reach, with some suggesting it represent royal power, royal ancestors or evidence of a local cult of a scorpion deity. In support of the latter contention, although much later, in the New Kingdom local forms of Isis are sometimes depicted with scorpions on their heads. The scorpion was considered to be a good mother, protective of her young, in the way Isis was protective of her son Horus. Thus, the early scorpion goddess of Hierakonpolis may well have been the counterpart of the vulture goddess and great mother Nekhbet of Elkab across the river, who will be shown hovering protectively over the kings of Egypt throughout its long history. Scorpion statuettes placed in these early tombs may have provided the same protection in the journey to rebirth in the afterlife.

Scorpion statuette from Tomb 26--the fetish of an early scorpion goddess?



Route of the wine trade. It's a long way to go for a good drink!



Garnet beads mined from sources in the Eastern Desert



The large columned structure around the elephant's tomb (in which I am sitting) was a revelation and answered some nagging questions, while posing many more.



The deposit in the northeast corner (lower) and parallel deposit in the northwest corner (upper), which was partly sealed by melted wall plaster.



Shiny black egg-shaped pot from Tomb 23 complex



An undisturbed deposit of Red Sea shells in the southeast corner



Ivory and shells from Structure D9



Incised ostrich eggshell from the northeast corner

Other objects from the tomb show that the next life was well catered for with a variety of exotic goods and delicacies. A Palestinian loop handled jar found in the tomb is the earliest evidence of wine consumption in Upper Egypt, as it is wine that these vessels seem to have held. This vintage probably arrived via the northern site of Maadi, coming across the Sinai and then up the river, making for a journey of over 800 miles. It's a long way to go for a good drink.

Other Foreign contacts are indicated by a knobbed mace head, possibly representing influence from Southwest Asia where such mace heads are better attested, while not quite so far to the east, beautifully finished garnet beads came from sources the Eastern desert, amongst with other exotic goods indicating the high status of those buried here.

Evidence for contacts southward were found perhaps not coincidently on the south side of the complex, where we discovered the grave of an adolescent Africa elephant in 2003 (see Who Let the Elephants In?). Presumed to be non-local, it was one of two young elephants known from the site, who appear to have been selectively targeted and captured by hunting parties sent southward for this purpose.

Based on proximity, the elephant was assumed to be associated with Tomb 23, the ownership and maintenance of such a mighty beast in both life and death being an eloquent statement on the power and wealth of its master. But as we systematically investigated the intervening area between the two tombs, we soon began to wonder just who was subsidiary to whom, when excavations revealed part of a large columned structure, 17m long and at least 8.5m wide (the southern limits have not yet been excavated).

Within these walls, the trunks of acacia trees served as column, set upright within deep conical postholes, arranged in six rows of at least three posts each. However as this arrangement eventually revealed itself, we soon came to realize that it also included the two post-holes found in the floor of the elephant's grave in 2003, one partly covered by the articulating ribs and vertebrae of the elephant. We couldn't explain it then, but it is now clear that posts from this pre-existing structure were removed in order to accommodate the elephant's burial at a later date. How much later is unclear, but evidence of ritual activities at the two north corners suggests that the building continued to function, apparently with the elephant in mind to judge from this remarkable flint portrait of an elephant found near the northeast corner. Again, near but not at the corner, other objects found in association include, a flint fish tail knife, 60 trapezoidal arrowheads and two hollow-based arrowheads.

This was paralleled by a similar deposit in the northwest corner where layers of melted plaster that once coated the post walls, partly sealed a deposit of over 20 small trapezoidal arrowheads, an imitation fishtail knife of soft green soapstone, and another flint figure of either a running gazelle or dog.

From both corners, we were also able to reconstructed matte red vessels, of the type previously known exclusively from the ceremonial center at HK29A (see Narmer's Temple: Pottery Assessment). At the temple, these unique vessels were found in great numbers always in conjunction with shiny black polished egg-shaped jars, several of which were also found at in the HK6 tomb complexes. Their shape and surface treatment obviously had symbolic significance (dull red= dry desert, death; shiny black fertile, flooded alluvium, rebirth). Given the later connection between king and cosmos, it is perhaps not surprising to see these unique vessels in both temple and tomb indicating that similar rituals to ensure rebirth and cosmic order were conducted at both of these locations.

The relationship of Tomb 23 to the elephant and the structure above it is still unclear, but a row of posts connecting the two compounds show that they were contemporary at some point in time. Another cross wall running eastward connects to Structure D9, another unexpected discovery.

This structure, with walls composed of closely spaced posts and 2 rows of large columns running down the center had a focus that was entirely above-ground. No substructure was found below it. Although eroded, again, near the corners, were intentional deposits of artifacts. On the north a shallow pit contained objects of carved ivory, while near the southeast was a collection of 36 Nerita shells from the Red Sea. However, conspicuous by their absence were the arrowheads and the ritual pottery known from the other compounds and this differential distribution of artefacts suggests that each of the structures served a different purpose, housing specific rituals, as component parts of one large interconnected complex that keeps on getting bigger.

In Structure 07, found in January 2008 directly east of Structure D9, the theme of seashells and ivories continued, but this even larger columned hall contained so much more. Approximately 15m long and 10.5m wide, 24 wooden columns once filled its interior, some of which appear to have been the focus of offerings including sea shells (12 different kinds, all from the Red Sea), a cow horn and a sizeable bundle of cloth apparently containing malachite, but still unopened!

All of these objects seem to have been placed in the pits intentionally as foundation deposits, but the best things were as usual, in the corners, especially those along the east side. Although recently disturbed, in the northeast we uncovered masses of ostrich eggshell, some decorated with an incised scene of hunting possibly including ibexes or giraffes, an elephant, and a running dog, along with geometric designs.

Found in quantities too great to mend, we asked our eggspert Art Muir to calculate the surface area of a standard ostrich egg, which turns out to be a rather remarkable 570 square cm. He then went on to determine just how much area our fragments covered. His analysis indicates that a minimum of 5 complete eggs were originally present in this corner and the fragments with blow holes indicate that whole eggs were definitely involved. This is the largest concentration of ostrich eggs found all in one place in Predynastic Egypt and again shows what an important place it once was. Although ostrich imagery abounds in rock art and on pottery, and beads of ostrich eggshell are known from variety Predynastic sites,(though not particularly common at Hierakonpolis), whole eggs are a good deal rarer. In Nubia they are often found in the burials of children, no doubt symbolic of rebirth and continued nourishment, since one egg can feed about 8 people. In Egypt itself, these fragile eggs appear restricted to the wealthier graves. At Nagada a decorated egg now in the Ashmolean was also used in place of the owner's missing head! Thus this concentration of eggs in this structure can be seen as yet another expression of the wealth the elite controlled and this was not the only indication.

In the southeast corner were objects of different types, in fact, each more amazing than the next. They include an adorable little hippopotamus, just 3.3cm long, expressively carved from soapstone, who was accompanied by a pair of curved ivory wands. Found in extremely poor condition, after much nail-biting, we were able to lift them both and conserve one of them, with impressive results.

All carved from the same piece of ivory, the wand (for lack of a better term) originally had a procession of at least four hippopotami, although only two could be reattached. The body of the wand is undecorated, but has been very finely smoothed. A remarkable find, no exact parallels for it are known.

Nor could I find parallels for the odd little objects, also carved of ivory, which we call spoons only due to their resemblance to fast food coffee stirrers, but I have no idea what they are. While they most resemble projectile points, I cannot figure out how they could have been effectively hafted without creating a rather non-aerodynamic assemblage. Alternatively they could be gaming pieces or casting sticks, as a large number of small stone balls and two squares of petrified wood were strewn throughout the corner. Both natural and carved, they come in a variety of materials and colors. Similar objects have traditionally been considered gaming pieces, but other interpretations are possible, and the search continues.

While collecting little balls, something even more intriguing appeared. Even before all the fragments of the malachite figurine were reassembled, it was clear it was a statuette of a falcon, with wings masterfully carved out of the same piece of hard stone. Once restored, we could see what a remarkable piece of carving it is, with the wings linked to the body by only a single point of attachment. This practice has now allowed us to identify other enigmatic stone objects previously found in HK6, which were fully carved but broken off only at the attachment point. These are now clearly the wings of other, larger, falcon figures.

The falcon statuette (left) as it was found. The falcon restored (center). One mystery solved: these enigmatic objects (right) can now be identified as the wings of other falcon statuettes.

At present, these are the earliest examples of falcon statues in Egypt. Although known sporadically in the predynastic period, the falcon only becomes common in protodynastic, or Dynasty 0 times especially in connection with early royal names. We cannot say whether our falcons already carried royal connotations, but given the elite context at HK6 and the strong association of Hierakonpolis with early kingship and falcons, it seems highly likely.

Egypt's earliest falcon statue, appropriately found in the "City of the Falcon"

Measuring only 6.2cm, our falcon is tiny, but there may already be a glimmer of the trend toward ritual gigantism that later led to the outsized palettes (like the palette of Narmer), and maceheads (like the Scorpion macehead) in the Main Deposit. This trend is visible in the flint artefacts, and particularly the distinctive hollow base arrowheads, which were found in large numbers in the south and central part of the structure. The large size of some, measuring nearly 10cm, suggest they served a ritual purpose, or were oversized votive offerings, rather than object of actual use.

Hollow base arrowheads from Structure 07. The large size of some suggest they are oversized votive objects rather than objects of actual use.



Flint critters from HK6



The satellite image of the Hierakonpolis shows the land reclamation on all sides, making the search for Egypt's beginnings a limited time offer.

Their manufacture, with their long elegant wings, shows great skill and it is likely that the same craftsmen also created our latest ibex figurine, perhaps just to show off! Unfortunately from a disturbed context within a modern pit, nevertheless it makes a fine addition to this relatively rare class of artefact, of which only about 70 examples are known. The flint figurines collected from various areas at HK6 now represent the largest single assemblage of flint figures with known provenance.

Entered from the west, Structure 07 is clearly connected with the broader complex all of which appears to be bounded on the east by a wall running along the edge of the wadi terrace. Made with the typical post construction, this wall is not the most photogenic of our discoveries, but it is important for two reasons. First, its plastered facade was painted with geometric and possibly figural designs, giving us evidence for the mode in which the various motifs known commonly from the more durable pottery became known and providing the prototype for the Painted tomb. A surprising discovery, in retrospect such a wall should perhaps have been expected given the love of lavish wall decoration on Dynastic tombs and temple. Old habits die hard.

Painted plaster (left) from the enigmatic fence. Not much to look at, bit it is this fence (right) that holds the key.

The wall is also important for another reason. Already 27m long, it clearly continues in both a north and south direction. For an interpretation of the structures to its west, much depends on where or if this wall makes a corner. If it is found to enclose a large area surrounding Tomb 23 and its neighbors then it suggests that all should be viewed as components of one large interrelated complex now an impressive 50m E-W and 40m N-S, but certainly larger. Presumably, though not necessarily, dedicated to the owners of Tomb 23, one might then suggest it is a 'palace for eternity' modeled on the actual residence of a predynastic king.

Alternatively, if it proves to be a perimeter wall for the entire cemetery then this range of structures may be part of a special precinct for conducting mortuary rituals for all of the cemetery's elite inhabitants, perhaps like the holy precinct considered to be at Buto. Given the historic pairing of the two sites, perhaps Hierakonpolis originally had a holy precinct too.

Holy Precinct in the tomb of Reneni at Elkab--perhaps Hierakonpolis originally had one too.

Further excavation obviously will be needed, but already we have some hints that substantial above ground architecture is not restricted to Tomb 23. A number of similar early tomb complexes may be spread across the cemetery and while it is too early to say there is a series of elite tombs from which a dynasty of prehistoric kings might be established, it certainly is tempting!

Unfortunately, the window of opportunity for revealing this chapter of Egypt's early history is rapidly closing. Ambitious land reclamation schemes threaten the site on all sides. With less than 15% of the cemetery explored, we will have to hoist our trowels with speed when excavations at HK6 resume in February 2008. Help us find it before it is too late by joining the Friends of Nekhen, see www.hierakonpolis-online.org. Your support can really make the difference.

Map of area excavated to date