Hi Katherine,

While I do agree as far as the burial chamber and/or the inner parts of the tomb being built in the image of a dwelling, I am not so sure about the "reed huts and palm poles" you and Greg (among others) suggest. Or, to be more clear in my thought, not in the form you are suggesting. While the reed hut and the poles are there, I think they refer to the kingship itself by the means of mimicing the early Horian temple in Nekhen:


[www.touregypt.net]

Not only did all the early kings include this "palace facade"-feature in their burials, as can clearly be seen in 1st and 2nd dynasty burials (Neithhotep and Khasekhemwy as good examples), but it was also the vital part of the kingly emblem, the serekh:

[content.answers.com]


Therefore, I suggest that the "palace facade" is a direct pointer towards the kings right to rule (when living) and his presence in the line of rulers, such as the Souls of Nekhen and Pe (when deceased) , and not really much to do with reed huts and palm poles as such.





Ritva



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2007 04:17AM by Hermione.