EGYPTIAN
ARCHAEOLOGY
had crushed the skull, fragments of which were found around the rubble. Analysis of the skull and the pelvic area, as well as the general morphology of the rest of the bones, enabled us to determine the individual’s sex. The pelvic area was too damaged to allow a determination of age, though the reconstructed skull suggests that the individual was about 20-25 years old. The lady’s jewellery consisted of a pendant in the shape of large golden shell; a cylindrical amulet of alternating pieces of gold and amethyst; two golden bracelets with reef knots; and two silver anklets originally of the same shape as the bracelets. The shell and the bracelets were found in perfect condition. The cylindrical pendant was broken into several fragments, which we could, however, entirely recover. Unfortunately, the silver anklets were very badly deteriorated. Jewellery similar to this has been found in tombs of the Middle Kingdom, such as those of the princesses Meret, Sithathor, Chnumet, Senebtisi and Nubhotepi. Apart from being a marker of high status, it also holds great symbolic value as it was intended to aid regeneration and protection in the afterlife. These tombs constitute clear evidence that officials of the Middle Kingdom Theban elite were buried in the necropolis located underneath the Temple of Millions of Years of Thutmosis III. Above: a complete female burial still in situ, tomb XIV. Right: other objects found in tomb XI: fragment of a wooden duck (Inv. no. 15130) and a piece of a limestone statue in sitting position with outstretched legs (Inv. no. 15125). Below: the complete jewellery set found with the burial of tomb XIV. Bottom: two golden bracelets with reef knots from the jewellery assemblage from the same tomb.
Dr. Myriam Seco Álvarez, Egyptologist, Academy of Fine Arts, Seville, is the Director of the Thutmosis III Temple Project in Luxor. Dr. Javier Martínez Babón, Egyptologist, Museo Egipcio de Barcelona, is a member of its team. We would like to thank the Ministry of Antiquities for facilitating the work and to express our gratitude to the Botín Foundation, Santander Bank and Cemex for funding this project. Among the many team members I would like to mention in particular Manuel González Bustos (photo processing) and Carlos Borrico (translations). All photos by the Thutmosis III Temple Project, http://www.thutmosisiiitempleproject.org/ 30