Artifacts

Funerary Cones

Side view of cone     Weran   Stamped brick
           
These are funerary cones, made of clay and stamped with the name and title of the deceased, in this case, Siamun and Weran. These cones were set into plaster in a frieze over the entrance to the tomb. Our discovery was extraordinary because they were almost never used outside of the Capital at Thebes and tombs of great nobles who ran Egypt at its apex, controlling its vast empire. They were unheard of this far south. These say: "Blessed under Osiris and Anubis, Master of the Djed Pillar, the Scribe of the Treasury and Overseer of Foreign Lands, Siamun and his wife, the Mistress of the House Weran." Siamun means Son of Amun, the chief god of Egypt in the New Kingdom. Siamun's pyramid was elaborately decorated: he used not only cones, but also stamped bricks and square fittings for framing the entryway, like this one with a special stamp for Weran. These have never been found outside of Thebes, and only one other tomb in Nubia even had the regular cones. Both the size of tomb and Siamun's titles reflect his importance in the colonial bureaucracy. Overseer of Foreign lands meant the he was in charge of the collection of tribute and its presentation to Pharaoh in ceremonies like this one from the time of king Tut. Siamun was a key diplomat, a combination liason to and watchdog over the Kermans, still powerful in their capital only ten kilometers to the south. This may also explain the size and elaboration of tomb. Siamun needed to emphasize his authority through his connection with the power of the Pharaohs. How better than with tomb just like those at the capital, Homer's legendary "hundred gated Thebes".