Reproduction
Object Category
manuscripts (object)
Description
Strip of papyrus torn from a sheet for re-use as a letter, consisting of two black and four red lines on recto, three red columns on verso, in hieratic, in thick, large, clear signs. Minor breaks, and frayed edges at bottom right and along top. Petrie lot No. VI.8. It is debatable whether this is a real letter at all, it may well be a joke or an exercise in humorous writing. In it, all the normal pleasantries and greeting formulae are reversed.
This text has been translated as:
'This is a message to say that yours truly has been told that the lord has arrived at Sekhem-Senwosret-Maa-heru on the 10th day of the fourth month of summer.
How bad it is that you have arrived safe and sound.'
[Reply]
'You speak extremely badly, thanks to Sobek, Lord of Ro-sehwy,
the one who will send you to the chain-gang thanks to his spirit.
It is you that the spirit of the temple overseer Pepi has acted against strongly and lastingly, for ever and ever.
It is bad that you listen.
May you drop dead.
For your part, come so I can see you.
We will seize an inauspicious moment.'
Collection Place
Lahun
Collection Place Notes
Kahun,Workmens' Town
Production Period
late Middle Kingdom
Material
Dimensions
Fragment height: 8.5 cms
Fragment width: 17 cms
Frame height: 10.8 cms
Frame width: 20.3 cms
Frame depth: 0.7 cms
Accession Number
LDUCE-UC32204
Administration Name
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
