manuscripts (object)

Fragmentary hieratic papyri mounted in one frame. C). Five fragments from the same accounts papyrus by hand, format colour and condition; black and red accounts on recto with black guidelines, and black and red accounts on verso, three with black guidelines and two with rough red guidelines; torn, with insect holes and some shredded fibres; one fragment is of Year 3, another of year 5. These are the records of a ship which was traversing the Nile exchanging commodities; the surviving records come from year 3 and year 5 of an unknown king. Where it went on what day, what was given to whom and what was received by whom was recorded as well as general expenditure. The use of a particular verb meaning “commanded” or “ordered” in fragment 1 suggests that the boat was carrying out at least one royal commission.

Lahun

Kahun Workmens' Town

late Middle Kingdom

LDUCE-UC32108c

Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology