Kha's Protractor

This is an article on a mysterious object found in the tomb of the 18th dynasty royal architect Kha, whose tomb was found intact in 1906 at Deir el Medina in the cemetery of the workman's village who carved and decorated "The Valley of Kings.

The beautifully carved 3400-year-old object is being proposed by a scientist to be the oldest known protractor. There is debate about this, but the argument is interesting, as is the picture of the object shown.

The Death of a King

Ever since the butchered remains of the mummy of King Sequenenre II were unrolled on June 9, 1886, by Gaston Maspero, the mummy has been a strong subject for archaeologists to see the results of wounds inflicted by several ancient weapons.

Sequenenre, the prince of Thebes, declared war upon the foreign ruler of Egypt, the Hyksos king Apophis, after a threat was sent to Sequenenre by Apophis, who complained that the snoring of the hippopotamuses in the sacred lake was keeping Apophis awake. Apophis at his capital of Avaris in the delta was much to far away to hear the hippo's snoring; instead, Apophis was telling Sequenenre that he knew the prince of Thebes was conspiring with others to overthrow him.

Within a few years, in about 1560 bc. Sequenenre was dead assassinated by two or more assailants, with there being some evidence that the king may have received four of his five head wounds while he was lying on the ground unconscious after the first blow to his head. From his head wounds, it can be surmised that at least two or more weapons were used, including an axe, a spear, possibly a sword, and a blunt object, maybe the but end of the axe.

To Sequenenre's credit, he acquired the moniker of Sequenenre the Brave, with his descendants driving the foreign kings out of Egypt, and the princes of Thebes became kings of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Tomb of Nefertari ca. 1931

Here we have a short video from the Valley of Queens in the tomb of Nefertari, wife of Ramses II. The black and white film gives the tomb a bit of a dark, eerie feel. 

My Support to the Egyptian People

A lot of things are going on in Egypt these days, including in the antiquities portfolio, whose minister, Dr. Zahi Hawass, has apparently resigned, though a major reshuffling of government ministers is taking place to answer the protests which are taking place. The minister, Dr. Hawass, was chased through the streets by angry archaeologists who want a chance to practice their chosen profession.

Dr. Hawass will hopefully move on with his life either in retirement or by going abroad to work for any number of museums that may want him, having said that I do not think the doctor will be dropping off a resume in Berlin.

I want to extend my support to the Egyptian people during this time of revolution and pray that the people's courage brings prosperity, more freedoms, and a brighter future for their children.

Peace

Timothy Reid