Egypt

Discovery of Djed-Khonsu-efankh (Part 3)

http://www.algomhuria.net.eg/gazette/5/
Third part of the story describing the discovery in Bahariya of Djed-Khonsu-ef-Ankh, the Governor of Bahariya by Zahi Hawass:

"We know about the governor Djed-Khonsu-efankh from the temples of Ain-El-Meftella where he built chapels with his brothers to the kings Apries and Ahmose II of the 26th Dynasty.

During the sixth century B.C., a power struggle between King Apries and Ahmose, the head of the Egyptian army, sent troops to the Western Desert, where he victoriously defended Egyptian interests against the Greeks and Libyans. Ahmose was crowned Ahmose II. He understood the importance of Bahariya as a gateway to Egypt from the west and protected it vigilantly.

To honour him, two temples and many chapels near Ain el-Muftella (an ancient site near El-Bawiti) were erected in his name by the second priest of Bahariya. Wahibranefer, the son of Arknakht, under the supervision of Prince Soteckh-erdies, who appears on the temple walls with a feather on his head. His grandson, Djed-Khonsu-efankh would later make addition to this temple.

These chapels were discovered in 1900 by the German scholar George Steindorff. In one of three chapels, Djed-Khonsu-efankh is shown as the second priest and the third priest of Amon.

The governor is depicted equal in size to the king, showing he is an important man and could be second to the king. The name of his father, Ped-Isis, and his brother, Shepen-Khonsu, who was also a governor of Bahariya, were also mentioned. Therefore, the whole family lived in Bahariya, and should be buried there. I never thought that the tomb of Djed-Khonsu-efankh would be found.A week after, we demolished the house of the old women, and the tombs were consolidated. I entered inside. As I entered the burial chamber, I saw a very large anthropoid sarcophagus. I shall never forget that moment..."

Parts one and two are located on the blog as follows:

http://tinyurl.com/gwptq (part 1)

http://tinyurl.com/fensg (part 2)

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Egypt