Karakhamun vs. Hatshepsut: a curious manifestation of archaism in the Twenty-sixth Dynasty
2025, 34, No. 3
American University in Cairo; South Asasif Conservation Project
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Abstract
This paper discusses an unusual dilemma encountered by the Vizier of Upper Egypt, Nespakashuty D, at the beginning of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty. While planning his “ideal” tomb, Nespakashuty faced a curious choice between the South Asasif tomb of Karakhamun (TT 223) and the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. Nespakashuty’s final decision was to abandon the tomb of Karakhamun, which he already started re-inscribing for himself, and move to Deir el-Bahari to create his new tomb (TT 312), which can be interpreted as a small-scale replica of the architecture and decoration of the southern part of the Temple of Hatshepsut. The present research contemplates the reasons for his choice and its impact on the development of Saite temple-tombs in the Twenty-sixth Dynasty.
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