Author Description

First published in 1999. High in a cliff at the remote site of Beni Hasan in Middle Egypt, thirty-nine ancient tombs line a narrow ledge above the Nile River. These tombs were cut into the rock face, with pillars of living rock often left standing inside the echoing chambers. The tomb of Khnumhotep II dates to the early 12th Dynasty, primarily to the reign of Amenemhet II. The owner was a high official of the ancient administrative area in which Beni Hasan was located, the Oryx (XVIth Upper Egyptian) none or province. His primary title was Overseer of the Eastern Desert, a title which he held from Year 19 of Amenemhet II (c. 1910 B.C.) until at least Year 6 of Senwosret II (c. 1891 B.C.). This monument is the latest of the large Beni Hasan tombs, and represents the culmination of the series. The detailed analysis of this complex tomb necessarily comprises most of this volume.