manuscripts (object)

The Kahun literary papyrus with hymns to Senusret III on recto and the end of a narrative ('Tale of Hay') on the verso. The text is written in hieratic in black except for inyt.f "its refrain" in the hymns, column 2 1.10 and iw.f.ow "end" at the end of the narrative, both in red. There are seven sections to the hymn, each one praising a different aspect of the king. It appears to have been sung or recited but on what occasion or occasions is not clear; it has been suggested in the past that it was written especially for a visit to Lahun by the king himself. The manuscript, now mounted in two frames (UC32157i and UC32157ii), was torn anciently to remove rectangular sections at the left end of the recto for other use, and is threadbare at lower left and with insect-holes; the upper, lower and right edges are partly preserved, but the right edge is also threadbare at parts. The hymns on the recto are laid out in eleven vertical columns, followed by two pages of horizontal lines; the narrative on the verso occupies one and a half 'ages' of horizontal lines. From Kahun Workmens' Town (November 1889).

Lahun

Kahun Workmens' Town (November 1889)

- Griffith, Francis Llewellyn, Hieratic Papyri from Kahun and Gurob, Bad publication link. pp 1-4, II, pl I, 1.20, IV

late Middle Kingdom

LDUCE-UC32157i

Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology