The Early Kings of Hierakonpolis

[Josie Linde]

The satellite image of the Hierakonpolis shows the land reclamation on all sides, making the search for Egypt's beginnings a limited time offer.

[Josie Linde]

Painted plaster (above) from the enigmatic fence.

[Josie Linde]

Not much to look at, bit it is this fence (above) that holds the key.

[Josie Linde]

The wall is also important for another reason. Already 27m long, it clearly continues in both a north and south direction. For an interpretation of the structures to its west, much depends on where or if this wall makes a corner. If it is found to enclose a large area surrounding Tomb 23 and its neighbors then it suggests that all should be viewed as components of one large interrelated complex now an impressive 50m E-W and 40m N-S, but certainly larger. Presumably, though not necessarily, dedicated to the owners of Tomb 23, one might then suggest it is a "palace for eternity" modeled on the actual residence of a Predynastic king.

Alternatively, if it proves to be a perimeter wall for the entire cemetery then this range of structures may be part of a special precinct for conducting mortuary rituals for all of the cemetery's elite inhabitants, perhaps like the holy precinct considered to be at Buto. Given the historic pairing of the two sites, perhaps Hierakonpolis originally had a holy precinct too.

[Josie Linde]

Holy Precinct in the tomb of Reneni at Elkab--perhaps Hierakonpolis originally had one too.

[Josie Linde]

Further excavation obviously will be needed, but already we have some hints that substantial above ground architecture is not restricted to Tomb 23. A number of similar early tomb complexes may be spread across the cemetery and while it is too early to say there is a series of elite tombs from which a dynasty of prehistoric kings might be established, it certainly is tempting!

Unfortunately, the window of opportunity for revealing this chapter of Egypt's early history is rapidly closing. Ambitious land reclamation schemes threaten the site on all sides. With less than 15% of the cemetery explored, we will have to hoist our trowels with speed when excavations at HK6 resume in February 2008. Help us find it before it is too late by joining the Friends of Nekhen, see www.hierakonpolis.org. Your support can really make the difference.

http://www.archaeology.org/interactive/hierakonpolis/field07/6.html

[Josie Linde]

Map of area excavated to date

[Josie Linde]

Seating the entire excavation crew, Tomb 23 is the largest tomb of its time yet known and one of the first to have clear indications of a superstructure

[Josie Linde]

Overview and preliminary reconstruction of the Tomb 23 funerary complex. Completely unparalleled, it is hard to do more.

[Josie Linde]

Objects found in Tomb 23, no doubt only a fraction of its original riches

[Josie Linde]

Conserving and recording the partly articulated human remains found on the tomb's floor.

[Josie Linde]

The artifacts deposited near the chapel all carry connotations of power and control.

[Josie Linde]

Expanded excavations revealed an elaborate complex surrounding Tomb 23 containing tombs but also more unexpectedly, columned buildings not previously known in Predynastic times.

[Josie Linde]

Tomb 26, perhaps slightly later in date, also had a superstructure and an enclosure wall along with many exotic objects attesting to a wide range of foreign contacts.

[Josie Linde]

The Scorpion macehead portrays a mounted scorpion image, no doubt derived from the type of statuette found in the HK6 tombs.