Fragmentary sheet of papyrus with hieratic letter in black, in very thick, large, cursive signs, in six vertical lines on recto, three more and endorsement on verso. Torn along fold lines, lacking centre and top left corner, with insect-holes. Petrie lot No. III.3. In this letter the writer, Irer, is complaining that master has not provided them with an essential component that allows them to weave the cloth and consequently, she is stuck with everything being ready to start but being unable to do so. To compound the problem, she has responsibilities at the temple, which mean that she cannot deal with the problem herself and furthermore, the master hasn’t been answering any messages anyway.
The main body of this text has been translated as:
[Recto]
'All the concerns of the Lord, may he live long, prosper and thrive, are safe and sound and everything is as it should be thanks to dual king Khakheperre (the justified) and all the gods, just as yours-truly would wish.
[This is] a message for the lord, may he live long, prosper and thrive, about the oversight by the lord, may he live long, prosper and thrive.
Are you all okay? […………..] the opportunity for you to get your provisions has been wasted because nobody has heard any of your messages. It is good that the lord, may he live long, prosper and thrive, listens.
This is a message for the lord, may he live long, prosper and thrive, about the servant women who are here without being able to do any weaving [………………] clothes […………………………..] on account of the threads for guiding. Yours truly couldn’t come herself; it was because I had entered the temple on the 20th for the monthly purification'
[Verso]
'so the lord could bring them with him; it is an opportunity to give responsibility to young Horemheb while Qemau is on his way. The lord, may he live long, prosper and thrive, should spend a day here. Look, there aren’t any clothes because I am at the temple; the threads are set up without being able to be woven.'
Collection Place
Lahun
Collection Place Notes
Kahun,Workmens' Town
Publications
- Quirke, Stephen, Women in Ancient Egypt: Temple Titles and Funerary Papyri, p.227
