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".