Tomb of Nubian Priest Found

Archaeologists have rediscovered the 'lost' tomb an ancient Egyptian priest at the Theban Necropolis in Egypt. It was announced today by Egypt's Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosny, that the team excavating and conservating the tomb has now cleared the burial shaft of tomb and reached its burial chamber.

The tomb is located at Qurnet Murai, south Assasif, on the west bank of the Nile opposite to Luxor, and belonged to a priest named Karakhamun. It dates to the 25th Dynasty (the Reign of Shabaqo, circa 700BC) and is referenced as TT223 (Theban Tomb 223). The el-Assasif area is a well known archaeological site, containing nobles’ tombs from the New Kingdom, as well as the 25-26th Dynasties.

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As this tomb dates to the reign of Sheba-qo, the priest would more accurately be designated as Kushite.

There appears to be an attempt to minimize the importance of this find, yet it is admitted that the tomb is one of the most beautifully decorated. The writer states: " His priestly title, First 'k Priest, does not signify any particular importance." 
 
I find this an extraordinary remark since Ka is widely associated with ancient Nubian and Sudanese rulers and priests.  Ka is the life that animates the body. It represents the hope of life after death. The ka and the ba were to be united in order for the deceased to avoid "the second death". The unification of Ba and Ka happened after death by means of the proper offerings, prayers, and mummification. There was a risk of dying the second death if the unified soul and life force were condemned in the afterlife. Dying the second death meant not becoming an "akh." Only as an akh could one enjoy the resurrection life. The term "Ka-ba-lah" is derived from ancient Egyptian/Nubian mystical thought.

K also refers to "Khamit", the original Nubian culture of the Nile Valley. Pepi II, who reigned from about 2278 BC–2184 BC, held the throne name Nefer-ka-Re, meaning "Beautiful is the Ka of Re.” Ka is linguistically related to the first ruler named in Genesis - Kain. It is also found in the Nubian name for queen - Kandace.


Related reading:  Tomb of Purification Priest; Origins of the Priesthood; Who Were the Horites?