EGYPT LANDMARKS

11:54 PM | Posted by Massra

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11:39 PM | Posted by Massra

Ahmose nefertary. (c.1 570-1 505 BC) Perhaps the most influential of the New Kingdom royal women, whose political and religious titles, like those of her grandmother TETISHERI and mother AI-IHOTEP I, have helped to illuminate the various new political roles adopted by women in the early 18th Dynasty (see QUEENS). Born in the early sixteenth century BC, she was described as mwl nesw Cking's mother') in relation to her son AMENHOTEP T and hemel nesw werel Cking's principal wife') in relation to her brother and husband AI-IMOSE 1. She was also the first royal woman to have the title hemet netjer (see GOD'S WIFE OF AMUN) bestowed upon her, an act which was described in Ahmose I'S Stele of Donations in.

the temple of Amun at Karnak. This title was the one most frequently used by Ahmosc Nefertari, and it was later passed on to sc\-eral of her female descendants. including her own daughter Meritamun and Queen IIATSIIEPSLT (1473-1458 BC), It was once interpreted as an 'heiress' epithet, marking out the woman whom the king must marry to legitimize his claim to the throne, but it is now considered to have been simply a priestly office relating to the cult of Amun (carrying with it entitlemcnt to an agricultural estate and personnel), which was to acquire greater political importance during the Late Period.

There is considerable textual evidence for Ahmose Nefertari's involvement in the cult of Amun as well as her participation in the quarrying and building projects undertaken by her husband. One stele even documents the fact that Ahmose 1 sought her approval before erecting a cenotaph for TETISHERJ at Abydos. She seems to have outlived him by a considerable period, apparently serving as regent during the early years of Amenhotep I'S reign. An inscription of the first year of the reign of his successor, THUTMOSE I, suggests that she was probably still alive even after the death of her son. She became the object of a posthumous religious cult, sometimes linked with that of Amenhotep I, particularly in connection with the workmen's village at OEIR EL-MEDINA, which they were considered to have jointly rounded. More than fifty of the Theban tombs of private individuals include inscriptions mentioning her name.

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11:21 PM | Posted by Massra

agriculture The fundamental importance of agriculture in Egypr is attested from early times) with the development of land surveying as a means of re-determining land boundaries after the annual INUI\OATION had deposited its load of silt on the fields, and also the measuring of areas of land for TAXATION purposes. Scenes of government surveyors measuring agricultural land are known from the decoration of many tomb chapels such as that of menna,an

18th-Dynasty Theban official (TT69).

The development of the CALENOAR itself was linked to careful observation of the agriculwral year, the seasons being named in accordance with stages of the annual Nile cycle. Flooding began in mid-June, the time of the New Year, and maximum depth was usually reached by mid-August, although the exact timing varied from north to south. The reach of the ile was extended by the digging of irrigation canals which could also be used for moving water at times of low Oood. Canals are first attested in the Early Dynastic period and it is likely that the reliefs on the macehead of King SCORPION show the use of irrigation in the late PREDYNASTIC PERIOD. As soon as the inundation began to subside the farmers blocked canals in order to retain the water, which was not released for a further month and a half. In October or November the seed was broadcast by hand and then trampled in by sheep and goats (as well as pigs, according to Herodotus).

The principal crop was grain, including barley (Hordeum; particularly the six-rowed variety) and three types of wheat: emmer (Triticum dicocC/lm), einkorn (Triticum m01l0coccum) and spelt (Triticum spelta). These were used to make bread and beer, the two great staples of Egyptian life. The rich soil could support ar least two crops a year, but if a second was desired, during the summer.

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9:44 AM | Posted by Massra

NAQADA. Modern name for ancient Nubt, Greek Ombos. A site in Upper Egypt north of Thebes where important remains from the late Predynastic Period were excavated by Flinders Petrie in 1895. The name is now used to denote the final phase of predynastic culture, divided into the periods Naqada I (c. 3900–3600 BC); Naqada II (c. 3600–3200 BC), which is best attested by its painted designs on pottery; and Naqada III (c. 3200–3100 BC), when the elements of kingship (Dynasty 0) and writing are first discernible. See also ADAIMA; GERZEH; KAFR HASSAN DAOUD; MINSHAT ABU OMAR; TELL EL-FARKHA; TELL IBRAHIM AWAD.

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