Tomb of Mereruka

 

 register 1 - four individuals pulling a rope-drawn sledge laden with four very large jars. The scene is described in the text above them. It reads: "A boon which the king gives, a boon which Anubis gives, thousand of all (sorts of) ointments for T, N".
- register 2 - two large chests are transported on poles by by four men. Again, the scene is described in the text above them, of which very little now exists.

In front of them, the wall is occupied by processions of servants transporting various goods towards Mereruka (see ww-2) :
In the bottom register :
- three men, each carry two bands of material.
- seven men follow holding the vases of various shapes, all containing oils.
- The remains (due to the ancient damage) of four chests, each being carried on poles by two men.
The scene is described in the text above them, the latter part of which is missing. It reads: "Bringing the first class royal linen and clothing, the first class ointments, which are given to him from the residence as a boon which the king gives to T, N".
Second register :
- four large chests are carried on poles by eight men.
- the following decoration is missing.
Only the beginning of the descriptive text has survived. It reads: "A boon which the king gives, a boon which Anubis gives, thousand of all (sorts of) ointments for T, N".
Third register :
- servants carry tables on which the contents have not survived, towards at least one standing table containing three vessels.

 register 1 - a stand with three large spouted vessels, then three men pulling a sledge on which are three more large containers. The last vessel is steadied by a man at the rear. The scene is described in the text above them: "A boon which the king gives, a boon which Anubis gives, thousand of all (sorts of) ointments for T, N".
- register 2 - two large chests are transported on poles by four men. Again, the scene is described in the text above them: "Bringing the best clothing (…) T, N".
- register 3 - three tables on which stand, in apparently exaggerated size, two necklaces on the middle one and a pectoral on the two outer ones.

The remainder, southern half of the wall, is occupied by processions of servants transporting various goods towards Mereruka :
In the bottom register :
- three men, each bringing two bands of material.
- seven people holding the vases containing oils.
- four chests are each being carried on poles by two men.
The text above them says: "Bringing the first class royal linen and clothing, the first class ointments, which are given to him from the residence as a boon which the king gives to T, N".
Second register :
- four large chests are carried on poles by eight men.
- five servants follow them, each holding a large spouted vessel.
- at the rear, five more follow carrying long narrow vessels.
The text above says: " (A boon which the king gives ?), a boon which Anubis gives a thousand of cloth to T, N".
Third register :
- servants carry eight tables on which are placed necklaces and other ornaments, towards two tables which have already been placed down. Nothing much remains of the descriptive text.

 Mereruka is seated  with his wife squatting in front of him, breathing the perfume of a lotus flower. Mereruka reaches out with his right hand as if to accept the items from the porters. The columns of text above him are very incomplete, but, directly in front of him is an unbordered list of these goods. They are listed in "thousands" of : breads, beer, meat, cloths, etc.

The column of text in front of Mereruka says: "Observing the sweet offerings, which are brought to him as a boon which the king gives, for the honoured one by Osiris, Meri".
Below the couple is a continuation of the lowest register of those in front of them

In the lowest register is shown the manufacture of wine. From the left, four men arrive carrying small baskets full of grapes. The bunches are placed in a vat, and six men holding onto a beam tread the fruit (

. In a circular construct, two stone masons prepare a vat Mereruka a). They form it with chisels, to give it a round shape. 

Finally the fruit is placed in a bag and stretched between two long poles. When the bag is twisted by the two operatives, the mash is pressed and juice flows out through the cloth

. Another porter at the right-hand side of the register also appears to be carrying more baskets of grapes to be processed.

In the second register, ten granaries have been constructed next to each other; each have arched roofs. Men measure the product of the harvest from fruit trees. These are sycamore figs, red fruits, normal figs and carobs. A scribe takes note of the results. Other people carry away the fruit.
The third register shows two sledges each carrying three tall cases, each drawn by three men, and accompanied in front by a scribe carrying his palette.
The remaining upper part of the wall represents offerings of all kinds, among which are cuts of meat.

The east wall :

On the left, but above the bottom register and occupying the height of the remaining registers, Mereruka (facing south) receives the servants displayed at the beginning of each facing register. They each bring him a vase containing perfumes or oils and stand in front of other offerings.

In the lowest register (this being the one which extends under Mereruka) are represented some butchered animals, with their fore-limbs separated and placed on top of the bound carcasses.
(

Mereruka a)
- in the 2nd register are at eight vases in two crates. The text in front of the servant says: "The best Libyan oil for Mereruka, for his ka, daily".
- in the 3rd are five individuals holding two strips of cloth. The servant's text says: "The best cedar oil for Mereruka, for his ka, daily".
(

Mereruka a)
- in the 4th there are two chests full of incense and colour pigment. The servant's text says: "twAwt-oil for Mereruka, for his ka, daily". Whilst above the first box: "A box containing incense" and the second box: "A box containing kohl" (powdered antimony, for darkening the eyelids).
- in the 5th a further five servants bring more offering vases. The servant's text says: "nXnm-oil for Mereruka, for his ka, daily".

The south wal

Mereruka is seated on the left facing west, his wife is again squatting in front of him.
As with the east wall, the lowest register passes beneath the seated Mereruka and again it displays butchered animals. At the right-hand end of the register are two servants who present these offerings.
- in the 2nd, ten servants carrying products of all kinds.
- in the 3rd, a servant presents an offering, followed by a chest then vases in crates.
- in the 4th, ten more servants carrying offerings.
- and finally, at the top, two registers of a variety of heaped offerings.
 of the right end of the wall, and south entrance wall view.

Tomb of Mereruka

  stela or false door, in  limestone . 

The upper portion is almost entirely destroyed. On the usual display area, in the middle, can be seen the deceased seated in front of a table of offerings

, on top of which is the usual display of many upright half-loaves. Below the table are two vessels on top of a box. On the lower lintel, beneath the small scene, are several of his titles and his name "Meri", written on two lines of text. Below this, and extending across the width of the inner door section, is a cylindrical drum contains just his title of "Sole companion" and again just "Meri".

Three long texts (the inner two are of two columns each, the outer is of three columns), located at either side of the central narrow door, list many of his titles, each side enumerated in the same way

. many of the titles are repeated; each set ending with both of his names. At the bottom of each set of text lines is the standing figure of Mereruka, facing inwards, towards the actual door section.
Down each side of the stela are superimposed seven sets of vessels containing the seven sacred unguents. Each set stands on a table.
In front of the stele was placed, in antiquity, an offering table in the shape of a hetep-sign. This has not been found; only the depressed block in which it would have rested now exists.

Although, from its location, away from the normal route to the main chamber of the complex, and the fact that this chamber does not contain the burial shaft, this false door is far superior to the one in chamber A11.

The north wall :

Like the south wall, it originally had reliefs representing long lines of servants heading west, carrying offerings towards the seated Mereruka and his wife.

The couple, and the table in front of them, are the only remains of any registers above the bottom one

. However, here nearly all of the image of Mereruka has survived, including some of his titles and part of the tabular list of offerings which is located over the table. This enumerates nourishments and perfumes. Mereruka stretches out his hand towards the table of offerings covered with a vertical stack of eighteen half-loaves. Directly in front of the leg of the table is a single crate containing a variety of vessels. Beyond this is a pile of offerings.

Again, the whole length of the bottom register has survived; but only to its full height at the western end. As on the south wall, six men carrying thighs of oxen lead the parade. Unlike the south wall, their names are given and they are the names of relatives. In the middle of the parade, porters (like those of the south wall) have a variety of goods in containers, carry a various birds and are accompanied by livestock

). A descriptive text band is located above the characters, but only the western end still exists. From what does still exist, it can be seen that it would have been a duplicate of that found on the south wall.

The east wall :

The bas-reliefs of this wall are nearly completely destroyed. All that remains is a fraction of a butchery scene at its south end

Tomb of Mereruka

 

parade of servants with various items : livestock, birds, food and drink. They are grouped in threes in each register,

 

images of the deceased and one of his wife. In this scene Mereruka wears sandals, whilst elsewhere in this chamber he is bare-footed. It should also be noted that here, as in the two occurrences on the south wall, Seshseshet stands in front of him (in diminutive scale) grasping his front stepping leg. On the north wall she stands behind him at a similar size to her husband.

a census of domesticated animals is carried out, which include oxen, goats and gazelles. In the lower register, the census is written down by four scribes, with an attending scribe standing behind them. In front of them another scribe, probably more senior, presents the lists to Mereruka. The deceased and his wife stand to the right of the scene. Only the last part of the column of text remains in front of them, which states:"… from his settlements of Lower and Upper Egypt".
On the right half of the wall, Mereruka and his wife (situated at far right) receive the products of the villages or estates, symbolised by women carrying these in either a basket on their head or carried by hand. The names of each domains is given in front of the representative. Again, only the last part of the column of text remains in front of them, stating:"… of his estate for an invocation offering for him there".
Male servants walk behind the women, laden with more offerings. The text above these says: "Let the best and all good year-offerings come to his ka".

 treatment of animals of the farmyard. Geese, ducks and pigeons appear to roam freely in a large meadow. The bottom register deals specifically with the scenes of the raising of cranes. 

Grain is thrown to the free roaming adults. For the young this is prepared as a mash or it is cooked; with this they are then force fed

the butchery of oxen . Three dead animals are shown having their haunches severed as an offering for Mereruka. Working on the middle animal, the man on the right instructs his work-mate to:"Pull towards yourself, comrade", whilst with the animal on the right, the man kneeling on its neck instructs his work-mate to:"Turn his head, comrade". Above, men carry offerings towards the entry to chamber 8.
In the middle of the wall, the deceased, his wife and son, face the fishing scene on the right. Originally he would have stood to almost the full height of the wall. His wife stands behind him at the same scale. His son, who is shown at a much smaller scale, stands in front; this is Meryteti.
The surviving lower part of the column of text in front of them says: "… of the estate, so that invocation offerings of bread and beer may come forth to him there".

The actual fishing scene of the lowest register shows twenty-three men pulling on a large net, provided with floats . Entrapped in this are a large variety of fish. In the register above can be seen the fishermen bringing the produce of their task towards Mereruka

long lines of servants heading  carrying foods and products of all kinds, for Mereruka and his wife Seshseshet.

Mereruka is seated on a fine chair with a back rest and having legs which end in the claws of lions, resting on small conical pedestals . None of the text associated with Mereruka has survived, his upper portion being missing. His wife kneels next to him, breathing the fragrant lotus flower. She is identified by the text in front of her. He sits in front of a table of offerings, of which the upper portion is missing (a fuller version can be seen on the north wall). Crates containing various offerings are situated under the table, which stood on a single pedestal. More offerings are piled to the left of these.
Walking in front, in the bottom register, are six men carrying thighs of oxen, a most valued offering. These are positioned directly below the seated couple. Only the first of these is named; they were relatives of the deceased. Of the other names which have survived or ever existed, only four can be found.

The long text band above this register is only missing the left-hand (end) section, part of Mereruka's titles and names. The text says: "Bringing choice pieces (shanks and birds), gifts and all good year-offerings, which are brought from his estates, from his settlements of Lower and Upper Egypt, so that invocation offerings of bread and beer may come forth to him there on every day, at every feast, at the opening of the year festival, at the Thot festival, at the first of the year festival, at the Wag-festival, at the Sokar festival, at the great festival, at the festival of burning, to the extent (of eternity for the) ",

 then follows some the deceased's titles and his name/s.

At the left-hand side of the bottom register, porters carry various goods in containers, some carry large fowl, and some are accompanied by small domesticated animals  . One interesting item being carried, which all visitors seem to want to see, is the hedgehog being carried by the eleventh porter from the left hand side of the bottom register .

Tomb of Mereruka

 

On the left side is represented a large bed with lion's feet. The upper part of the scene is missing. Next to the small boards forming the edge are shown two men spreading the linen

. Next to the bed (but displayed below it), five attendants (originally seven) wait with their arms across their chest. These all hold the title of "the overseer of linen". Mereruka moves toward the bed, holding his wife by the hand; they are followed by twelve men, four in each sub-register. The twelve men hold the arms across their chest. Their names, which were drawn in ink, have become erased. Originally there were probably more than just there three surviving sub-registers.

The group of men behind the couple stand with their backs to similar groups of five females who attend Mereruka's wife in the next scene

.
The central scene shows Seshseshet playing the harp for her husband; both are squatting on a couch and Mereruka holds in his hand a small stick and a fly swatter

. Represented below the couch are vases and caskets; the text between the two rows reads: "First class sealed (things) : golden (necklaces), all (kinds of) ointments and clothing". Women in fives and men in fours, are grouped standing behind their respective mistress and master.
As previously, the group of men stand with their back with the attendees of the next scene, this time groups of four men.
At the right-hand end of the wall Mereruka is shown seated, clothed in the starched kilt; his wife is squatting next to him, at his feet

.
In a poor condition, above Mereruka's head, are the remains of seven columns of text, which contain his names and some of his titles

. The first (right) column having the title "Inspector of Prophets of the Pyramid 'The-Places-of-Teti-Son-of-Re-are-Enduring'". The last three columns ending with his two names.
Behind him stand several rows of male servants with their arms folded in different ways.
The couple are separated from several registers of servants coming towards them by a column of text which titles the scene: "Observing the sealed (things) and clothing brought from the residence, as a boon which the king gives for the honoured one, Meri". In the lower register two men hold two pieces of material, followed by four transporting chests and finally two scribes follow them carrying a palette under their arm. The title of this register, written above, describes the scene "Bringing chests and clothing, which are brought to him from the residence, as a boon which the king (gives) ". In the second register, men hold in their arms large vases of different shapes. Above them, is the description of the scene "Bringing Hs-vases and vase stands, which are brought to him from the residence, as a boon which the king (gives) ". The characters of the third register transport three chests of linen. The text, along the heads of five of the six men is lost.
A further register existed above these, but only a small fraction has survived.

Tomb of Mereruka

 

The deceased is shown seated on a chair, , holding his staff of office. At his feet squats the diminutive figure of his wife. The front upper part of the portrayal is badly damaged.
Behind him, in what was originally five sub-registers (the upper one almost totally lost) are attendants with the title "servant of the Ka", four to each register. This title is held by priests given the task of attending the funerary cult. In front of him is first a column of text "Observing the jubilation of the one honoured by the king, Mereruka, his good name is Meri", then five sub-registers of servants carrying food offerings (six in each register). Towards the left, the upper row is damaged, along with the leftmost servant of the next row down. In the top two registers, the servants bring a variety of fowl and joints of meat; whilst in the bottom three registers, the offerings are carried in panniers suspended from poles across the shoulders. Again, these porters carry the title "servant of the Ka" before their names

Tomb of Mereruka

  

Mereruka accompanied by his wife (at similar height) followed by several registers of scribes and servants . Watetkhethor holds her husband's wrist, both facing north. Together they are receiving fish and birds brought to them by fishermen and fowlers of registers facing them.

This central area of the wall is divided into several registers and is related to the image of Mereruka and his wife. In the lowest two registers, fish are shown in great detail being netted. Above these two registers is one showing the catch being carried towards the deceased. This register has only survived at its lower edge.

 The only indication of fowling is the small surviving part a register at the far upper left of this central area and the partial text placed in front of Mereruka. The fishing scene shows the various methods which the Egyptians practised, from the use of a simple line to the large-scale use of nets and baskets (. The scene also shows a large variety of fish in exquisite detail.

Seated in the boat, at the left-hand side of the next-to-bottom register, is shown Mereruka's brother, "His brother, the land-tenant and elder of the dockyard, Ihy.". He is eating fish and drinking from a cup held by a servant. This image of Ihy is very different from that found on the south wall of chamber A3; here he is very plump .

The smaller section, at the north end of the wall, is again of the deceased followed by his wife (at a smaller scale) facing north . This time he is preceded by and even smaller scale image of his son, Meryteti, who holds a bird in his right hand. Preceding the family group are several sub-registers of servants, one of whom leads a baboon and two dogs.

Tomb of Mereruka

 

three rows of three servants (only the lower two are complete) bearing offering. 

The scene is that of the punishment of village leaders for the non payment of taxes. These headmen have been brought before local tax officials and flogged, the whipping post being shown at the right end of the scene. 

Scribes located at the left end of the scene record the evidence, . Everyone in the scene is named and their official titles given, the wrong-doers will be remembered for eternity.
The next section of the wall  shows Mereruka, in an ankle length dress, accompanied by his wife (at a much small scale, behind him). They look north, towards a scene where mortuary priests (on several sub-registers) offer food before statues of Mereruka . Almost the whole of the lower two registers have survived. Just behind the statues is the entry to chamber A6.

On the final decorated section of this wall, at the north end, Mereruka again stands facing the entry to chamber A6. The smaller image of his wife stands behind him ).