“Blessing of the God Ptah'” Stela from Shedet (Kiman Fares, Medinet El-Fayyum)

Walid shaikh al arab

“blessing oF the god Ptah’” stela FroM shedet (kiMan Fares, Medinet el-FayyuM)

Abstract the article focuses on the study of a heavily destroyed monumental stela of ramses ii originally placed in the temple of sobek in shedet (kiman Fares, Medinet el-Fayyum). this monument points to the importance of the temple of sobek in shedet during the reign of ramses ii, who placed these official texts on monumental architecture in the most important temples in his kingdom. the non-local stone used for this stela, the grey granite, testifies to the particular care and attention given to the temple by ramses ii. so far this is the only evidence of the «blessing of Ptah» text coming from Middle and lower egypt.

Keywords sobek, kiman Fares, stela

Introduction1

this paper aims to study a heavily destroyed monumental stela of ramses ii originally placed in the temple of sobek in shedet (kiman Fares, Medinet el-Fayyum), which has been never fully published. labib habachi was probably the first to note the monument as part of a stela of ramses ii lying in the area of the amenmhat’s columns in kiman Fares and he mentioned it in his article published in 19552. then it was seen by donadoni in 1964 in kiman Fares near the granite columns shafts of amenemhat iii. he copied the text and identified it as a copy of the last six lines of the «blessing of Ptah» (also known as the «decree of Ptah») stela. the facsimile was published later in

1 this article has been realized within a scientific agreement between the university of Me- dinet el-Fayyum and the centro di studi Papirologici of the university of salento, thanks to which i was able to study and to discuss several aspects with the colleagues of the university of salento during a visit in september 2013. 2 l. habachi, A Strange Monument of the Ptolemaic Period from Crocodilopolis, «Jea» 41 (1955), p. 107. 106 Walid shaikh al arab

2001, but the text was not translated3. donadoni suggested that the stela might have been originally more than 3 m in height and that the text was originally composed of 33 lines. Moreover, donadoni recognized another part of this stela, the upper corner which comes from kiman Fares and is registered at cairo Museum under the number Je 427834.

subsequently the stela was removed from its location and disappeared. sur- prisingly it reappeared in occasion of the transfer of the monuments collected in the university area of kiman Fares5 to the open air storehouse at kom aushim (karanis, Fayyum) in 2007.

Material: grey granite Dimensions: see figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 1: shedet stela (hights) Fig. 2: shedet stela (widths)

3 onadoni ervelló utuori s. d , Un frammento di stele ramesside dai Kiman Fares , in J. c a -

a.J. Quevedo Álvarez (eds.), … ir a buscar leña. Estudios dedicados al prof. Jesús López, bar-

celona 2001, pp. 99-102.

4 about this fragment of granite that comes from kiman Fares, cf. s. donadoni, Un fram-

itchen mento di stele cit., p. 100; k.a. k , Ramesside Inscriptions: Historical and Biographical. Vol. II, Ramesses II, Royal Inscriptions, oxford 1969-1979, p. 318 (= KRI); h. gauthier, Le

Livre des rois d’Égypte, recueil de titres et protocoles royaux III. De la XIXe à la XXIVe dynastie, le caire 1914, 44 nr. XXXi. 5 P. davoli-n.a. MohaMMed, On Some Monuments from Kiman Fares (Medinet El-Fa- yyum), «seP» 3 (2006), pp. 81-110.

“Blessing of the God Ptah’” stela from Shedet (Kiman Fares, Medinet El-Fayyum) 107

this granite piece of irregular shape represents a small portion of a huge monument of ramses ii. it contains parts of three registers (figs. 3-5): the first one contains the rest of six hieroglyphic lines incised from left to right (←); the second is plain; the third one, at the bottom of the block, includes the upper part of unknown scene of which only a sun disk survives. this last register has no parallel in the other copies of the «blessing of Ptah» stelae.

Inscription

an inscription poorly preserved is carved in the upper part of the block. it contains the rest of six hieroglyphic lines separated by incised lines.

(X+1) ////// [n=ib]=sn qd [sw] ////// (X+2) ////// mi Axt nt pt r rdit [dwA tw kwy 6] ////// (X+3) ////// mrw AHt mnmnt sH[b] //////

6 this word can also be transliterated as kywy, cf. a. erMan-h. graPoW, Wörterbuch der aegyptischen Sprache, v, berlin-leipzig 1953, p. 116 (= WB). it is translated as «ordinary folk». this word was also identified by l.h. lesko , A Dictionary of Late Egyptian , iv, california

1989, p. 171, under the form ky translated as «others». in addition, this term with the foes de- ilson terminative appears in Wb v, 116 and P. W , A Ptolemaic Lexikon: A Lexicographical Study of the Texts in the Temple of Edfu , ola, 78, leuven 1997, pp. 1085-1086 which means «foes or hostile forces». i prefer to translate it as «worshippers, faithfuls, believers, or loyals» for both sexes because the adoration of a divinity concerns not only the believers coming from the ordinary folk, but also those of all other social levels.

108 Walid shaikh al arab

(X+4) //////Dr(rw) {r-sy}=sn sXpnw <=sn nb> m HH ////// (X+5) ////// ntk qmA sn m ////// (X+6) ////// ( wsr-MAat-Ra stp n Ra)I sA Ra (Ra msi mry Imn)I ////// (X+1) ////// [at] their [wish], i have built [it] //////

(X+2) ////// like the horizon of the heaven, causing [the believers] to adore [you] //////

(X+3) ////// serfs, arable lands and cattle, i made it festive ////// (X+4) ////// , [to] their limit, < all > fattened-up in millions ////// (X+5) ////// you who created them by ////// (X+6) ////// (usermaatre-setepenre) I, son of ra (ramses ii //////

Comparative study with Donadoni’s facsimile

some differences emerged when comparing the surviving text in shedet represented by a man stela with the one on the copy published by donadoni (fig. 6). represented represented representedrepresented by by a mana man byby aa manman b represented by a man represented b b bybb representeda man represented by a man by represented a man by a man represented by a representedman by a man represented b represented by a man by a man qd represented by a man b b b b b donadoni could b not identify the phonetic determinative represented b b b by a man building the wall and his two legs touching the ground (gardiner . a35) as it is represented in the original copy; instead he draws . (Gardiner N 27) (Gardiner without theN 27) sun without the sun (Gardiner N 27) without(Gardiner (Gardiner the N(Gardiner sun N27) 27) without without N 27) the withoutthe sun sun the sun d (Gardiner N 27) without the sun (Gardiner N 26). (Gardiner N 27)d (Gardinerd without dd (Gardinerthe N 27) sun without N 27) the without sun Axtthe (Gardiner sun(Gardiner (GardinerN(Gardiner N26). 26). NN 26).26). (Gardiner N 27) without the sun (Gardiner (Gardiner Nd 27) without N 27)in the withoutthe sun second the sunline, donadoni (Gardiner copied N the 26). sign (Gardiner (gardiner N n 27) 27) without wi- the sun (Gardiner N 27) without the sun d d (Gardiner N 26). (Gardiner N 26). d d d (Gardinerd (Gardiner N 26). (Gardiner N 26). N 26). d (Gardinerthout the N sun 26). disk d between the d two (Gardiner (Gardinermountains N N 26). 26). (gardiner n 26). (Gardiner N 26).

in the third line, donadoni identified, wrongly, the first sign in the word (Gardiner Aa (Gardiner13) instead Aa of 13) instead (Gardiner of U 7) (Gardiner as follow U 7) as . followIn . In mrw (Gardiner. he copied Aa a 13) (Gardiner (gardinerinstead of(GardinerAa aa 13) 13) (Gardinerinstead instead Aa 13) ofof instead U 7) as (gardiner of (Gardiner follow u(Gardiner 7)U 7). In as Ufollow 7) as follow . In . In (Gardiner Aa 13)(Gardiner instead (Gardiner Aa of 13) instead Aa(Gardiner 13)(Gardiner of instead U 7) Aa (Gardiner ofas 13) follow instead (Gardiner U (Gardiner a7) ofas . InfollowU Aa7) (Gardiner 13)as a(Gardiner followinstead. UIn 7)ofAa as 13). follow In (Gardinerinstead of U. In 7) as(Gardiner follow U 7) .as In follow . In (Gardiner (Gardiner Aa 13) insteadAa 13) ofinstead (Gardinerof (Gardiner U 7) asa Ufollow 7) as as follows follow . In a (Gardiner. . ain addition, Aa 13) in theinstead word ofmnmnt (Gardiner (Gardiner , donadoniAa U13) 7) instead as could follow ofnot (Gardiner . In U 7) as follow . In a a (( ( (Gardiner (Gardiner Z2)Z2) (Gardinerrespectivelyrespectively Z2) aboveabove respectively andand above and a a a ( aa also identify ( ( the a signs t (gardinera X1) and (Gardiner the determinative Z2) respectively (Gardiner (Gardiner of plurality Z2)above Z2) respectively respectively and above above and and ( ( b (Gardiner b Z2) respectively above and (( ( (Gardiner (Gardiner Z2) respectively(Gardinerb Z2)( ( respectively Z2) above respectively(gardiner andb aboveb (Gardiner( z2) aboveand b respectively and Z2) ( respectively above and above below and (Gardiner the(Gardiner bull. Moreover,Z2) Z2) respectively respectively (Gardiner in the above Z2) above (Gardinerrespectively and and Z2) above respectively and above and b b b ( ( (Gardiner S29). (Gardiner S29). b b b ( bb word sHb (he ( did not ( recognize b the phonetic(Gardiner sign S29). H (Gardiner (gardiner(Gardiner S29).(Gardiner vS29). 28) after S29). the ( ( (Gardiner phonetic S29). sign s (gardiner s29). (( ( (Gardiner (Gardiner S29). (Gardiner S29). S29). (( (Gardiner S29). ( ( (Gardiner (Gardiner S29). S29). (Gardiner S29). (Gardiner S29). was neglected wasin the neglected copy of in the copy of was was neglected neglected was neglectedin inthe the copy copyin ofthe of copy of in the fourth line, the upper part D of the sign Dr was neglected in the copy D D was neglected DD in the copy was ofneglected in the copy of was neglected was neglected wasin theof neglected donadoni. copy in the of in copy the the fifthofcopy was line of neglected was perfectly in the copied copy by of donadoni. was was neglected neglected in in was the the copy neglected copy of of was in theneglected copy of in the copy of D D DD D D DD D D

in the sixth line, before the cartouche, the traces of bread (gardiner X1) are

clearly visible, but missed by donadoni. Moreover, in the cartouche of throne was written without was written the existing without a the existing a name in the same was line,written the without sign was mAa.t was the written written existing was was without without written writtena the withoutthewithout existing existing the the a existingaexisting a anx was written without the existing a was written was written without without the was existing writtenthe existingwas a without written a the without existing the a existing a was written without was the written existing withouta a the existing. a was written without the existing a sign hold over the wassitting written lady’s without knees in the donadoni’s existing was copy written . without the existing a

“Blessing of the God Ptah’” stela from Shedet (Kiman Fares, Medinet El-Fayyum) 109

Comparative study with parallel texts

there are five known stelae containing almost the same text as it is on the «blessing of Ptah» stela from shedet. these texts have been collected and studied by kitchen7. the documents are as follow: 1. «blessing of Ptah», abu simbel stela (fig. 13). it was carved on the rock between the two westernmost pillars (pillars 3 and 4), in the main hall of the great temple of abu simbel. it dates back to the reign of ramses ii8. this stela, which is the better preserved one, shows ramses ii sacrifices northern and southern captives before the god Ptah-tatenen who leads to him various captive districts. captives’ names are inscribed behind the god Ptah’s image. this scene is followed by 37 lines of a hieroglyphic text written from right to left. 2. «blessing of Ptah», karnak stela9. it was engraved on the southern face of the western wing of the ninth pylon in karnak great temple of amun-re. it represents ramses ii smiting captives before the god amun. the scene is followed by the «blessing of Ptah» upon ramses ii, written on 34 lines of hieroglyphic text. 3. «blessing of Ptah», amarah West10. this document was found in the outer court before the temple, on the southern wall and on the east side of a niche11.

7 cf. k.a. kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions, Translated & Annotated Translations. Vol. II, Ramesses II, Royal Inscriptions, oxford 1998, pp. 99-110 (= RITA), and KRI ii, pp. 258-281. 8 this stela was published by e. naville, Le décret de Phtah Totunen en faveur de Ramsès II et de Ramsès III, «trans. soc. bibl. arch.» 7 (1882), pp. 119-138. thereafter it is mentioned in b. Porter-r.l.b. Moss, Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Texts, Statues, Reliefs and Paintings, vii, oxford 1952, p. 106. then it was collected and studied by kitchen in KRI ii, pp. 258-281 and RITA ii, p. 99-110. 9 cf. RITA, pp. 99-110; KRI ii, 258-281; PM ii, oxford 1972, p. 181 (541) (= PM); P. bar- guet, Le temple d’Amon-Rê à Karnak: essai d’exégèse, le caire 1962, p. 254, k.r. lePsius, Denkmäler aus Aegypten und Aethiopien, Text iii, leipzig 1897, p. 49. 10 amara West was the seat of the egyptian administration of upper nubia, or kush, from the reign of seti i (1306-1290 bc) onwards, and came to be known as the «house of ramses beloved of amun». excavations by the egypt exploration society in 1938-1939 and 1947-1950 found a stone temple decorated in the reign of ramses ii with later additions. the british Mu- seum recommenced archaeological fieldwork at amara West in 2008 with the permission of the national corporation of antiquities and Museums in sudan. For further information, cf. [www. britishmuseum.org/research/research_projects/amara_west_research_project.aspx]. 11 about this stela, cf. KRI ii, 258-281; PM vii, p. 159 (2); J.h. breasted, Second Prelimi- nary Report of the Egyptian Expedition, The American Journal of Semitic Languages and Lite- 110 Walid shaikh al arab it contains the «blessing of Ptah» above the representation of ramses ii with asiatic and nubian captives. only the last 21 lines of text are preserved. 4. «blessing of Ptah», aksha temple12 (fig. 14). this text was inscribed in aksha (serra West) temple on the southern tower of the pylon. there is only one inscribed block in situ13. the upper part containing the «blessing of Ptah» upon ramses ii inscribed in 35 lines of hieroglyphic text. 5. «blessing of Ptah», Medinet habu (fig. 15). this stela is on the façade of the southern tower of the first pylon in the great funerary temple of ramses iii14. it presents ramses iii sacrifices the captives before the god Ptah-tatenen who leads to him various captive districts. captives’ names are inscribed behind the god Ptah image and under the scene. this scene is followed by the «blessing of Ptah» upon ramses iii, inscribed in 53 lines of hieroglyphic text. the content of the document in each case is divided into two registers: the first one is occupied by an elaborate scene of triumphant king striking down his foes before Ptah-tatonen, accompanied by a topographical list. below the proper scene, was carved the main text of this record falling into two parts: the address of Ptah to the king, and the king’s reply15.

it is significant that this type of document which occurs on matching large scale, as it is obvious at karnak, at aksha, at amarah West and at abu simbel always appears paired-off with the main account of the First hittite Marriage. at Medinet habu, ramses iii paired-off his copy (of his year 12) with a poe- tical stela on his libyan war of year 1116.

ratures XXv, 1 (1908), p. 101; e.a.W. budge, The Egyptian Sûdân: Its History and Monuments, i, london 1907, pp. 466, 468, 637; h.W. FairMan, Preliminary Report on the Excavations at Sesebi (Sudla) and ‘Amārah West, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, 1937–8, «Jea» 24 (1938), p. 155. 12 this site, north of Wadi halfa, in nubia contained a temple and various chapel of ramesses ii. the temple was dedicated to amun, re and ramses himself in deified form, cf. a.d. ro- drigo, Aksha (Serra West). El templo de Ramsés II. Las inscripciones de los pilares del patio, «revista de estudios de egiptología» (1994), pp. 25-50; lePsius, Denkmäler cit., abt. iii, band 7, leipzig 1897, pl. cXci. 13 cf. KRI ii, 258-281, J. vercoutter, Preliminary Report of the Excavation at Aksha by the Franco-Argentine Archaeological Expedition, 1961, «kush» 10 (1962), pp. 109-117 et pl. XXXii-XXXvii. 14 about this stela, cf. RITA ii, pp. 99-110; kRI ii, pp. 258-281; The Epigraphic survey, Me- dinet Habu. Volume II, Later Historical Records of Ramses III, chicago 1932, pl. civ-cvi. 15 cf. s. donadoni, Un frammento di stele cit, p. 100, note 7; cf. RITA ii, pp. 160-161. 16 cf. davoli-MohaMMed, On Some Monuments cit., p. 84; RITA ii, p. 160.

“Blessing of the God Ptah’” stela from Shedet (Kiman Fares, Medinet El-Fayyum) 111

the surviving part of shedet stela contains the rest of the last six horizontal lines of the text, which is almost identical to the text on abu simbel, karnak, amarah West and aksha stelae. it differs in some points with the text carved on the Medinet habu stela.

the comparison between the text inscribed on shedet stela and the parallel

ones will highlight similarities and differences between them.

a few signs could only be identified in the first survived line of shedet stela (line X+1). the content of this line has a parallel with that of line 31 on abu simbel stela, line 27 on karnak stela, line X+13 on amarah stela, line 30 on

aksha stela and line 44 on Medinet habu stela (fig. 7). the difference between

shedet stela and other parallel texts lies in the written form of the signs of plu-

rality which are part of the suffix pronoun =sn : they are realized with y are three

r grains of sand or pellet (gardiner n 33) in the shedet stela , but with

three strokes (gardiner z 2) in the other ones . . then, the phonetic

qd determinative is realized with a man building the wall and his two legs are touching the ground (Gardiner (gardiner E 1) a35) and thatin shedet of plurality and abu three simbel strokes stelae, but.

F in the other documents the man who builds the wall put his right leg inand the H wall

f and the left one on the ground .

the rest of the second surviving line of shedet stela (line X+2) has the same 1 1 1 1 text like the line 33 on abu simbel stela, part of the 28 and 29 lines on karnak 1 in Shedet stela is similar to that of Amarah partsand of 45 and 46 lines on Medinet Habu text (fig text, X+15 line on amarah stela, line 32 on aksha text and parts of 45 and 46 A 8 lines on Medinet habu text (fig. 8). inthe Shedet written in Shedet stela form is stela similarof theis similar wordto that Axtto of that Amarah inof Amarah and and in Shedet stela is similar to that of Amarah instead andof the A Ashedet stela is similar to that of amarahin Shedet in Shedet and stela aksha stela isin similar Shedet isstelae, similar to stelabut that to it is thatdiffersin of similar ShedetAmarah of fromAmarah to stela thatand is andof similar Amarah toin and thatShedet of Amarah stela in is Shedet similarand stela to that is similarof Amarah to that and of Amarah and As as it was clearly done in the other parallel texts, in Shedet stela A is Asimilar that to ofthat A abu of simbel Amarah and and A Medinet in habu Shedet stelae stela in in is Shedet which similarA stelathe to sign that is similar ofAof duality Amarah to thatwas and of Amarah and is written with phonetic complements, while it is A A i A in Aksha text. . The signs in word s w added to the spelling of this in word the other texts. In the same line, the word r is written with phonetic complements, while it is was realized with the phonetic letter is r written with phonetic complements, while it is in shedet stela, the word is written pt w withis written phonetic with complements, phonetic signs while p , itt is inand the other texts. In the same line, the word r w is written is in (Gardiner written the withother with phoneticD istexts. written 36), phonetic In but the complements, with itsame complements, was phonetic is line, written done the while complements, with word with while it phoneticr is it is while complements, is written it is with while is phonetic written it is with complements, phonetic complements, while it is while it is w the phonetic determinativeand w in the of theother sky texts. In , while the same it is was realized line, realized the only word with with (Gardiner r thethe phoneticpho- letter r and is written withp w phoneticw complements, w was while realized was it w isrealized with is the writteninwith the phonetic the other with phonetic is texts. letter phonetic written in wrInletter the the with other complements, r same phonetic texts. line, win In thethe complements, the while wordother same itrtexts. line, is Inandthe while the word and same it in is r the line, other the texts.word in the rIn theother same texts. line, In the wordsame rline, the word r A neticwas realized determinative with the of (Gardiner phoneticthe sky letterZt 2). in r theIn Shedetother texts. stela, in the the scribesame line,also theandmight word (Gardiner D 36), but it was done with w in the other texts.w Int the and same twithw line, phonetic the was word determinative realized r waswith in ofrealized the the the phonetic otherforearm with texts.was in theletter (Gardinerwith the realized phonetic In otherrthehand (Gardiner same with texts. Dholding letter 36), line, the In D r butphoneticthe canonical 36),the same it word was but was letterrealizedline, itrloaf done was the rand with done withword andwas the realized withr phonetic and with letter the phoneticr and letter r and and t rdit in shedet stela was inscribed (Gardinerp with D the 36), phonetic but it letter was r done , withthe mark was realized with the phonetic letterf r t tp p t was realized with was t the realized phonetic with in letter the Amarah (Gardiner phonetic r (Gardiner stela.t letter D 36),The D (Gardiner r 36), content but but itt was of D it this was 36), done line done but and with it with was done and with (Gardiner D 36), (Gardiner but it D was 36), done but with it was done with p of feminization t and the phonetic determinative and with phonetic of the forearm determinative (gar- of the forearm with hand holding canonical loaf (Gardinerdtp p D 36), t but and p it with wasand phonetic with done phonetic with determinative determinative of (Gardiner the of forearm the D p forearm (Gardiner 36), with but hand with it D holdinghandp was 36), doneholding but canonical itwith canonical was loaf done loaf with and withdiner phonetic d 36), determinative but it in was Abu done ofSimbel the with forearm stelaphonetic and with determinative handin Aksha holding text. of thecanonical forearm loaf and the in Amarah stela. The content of this line p p andp andwith with phonetic phonetic and determinative with determinative phonetic andof determinative the ofwith forearmthe phonetic forearm in Amarah with of in determinative thewith Amarahhand stela.forearm hand holding stela.The holding with ofcontent canonicalThe the hand canonical contentforearm and ofholding thisloafwith of with loaf line phoneticthiscanonical hand line holdingdeterminative loaf canonical of the loaf forearm with hand holding canonical loaf mark of feminization in abu simbel in d Amarah and aksha stela. stelaeThe content and of with this phoneticline and with phonetic determinative of the forearmT with d hand and withholding phonetic canonical and with determinative loafphonetic determinativeof the forearm in Amarah in of with Amarahthe forearmhandstela. stela. inholding The Amarahwith The content handcanonical content stela. holdingof in this Theof loaf Amarah this line contentcanonical line stela. of loafthis The line content in Amarah of this linestela. in AmarahThe content stela. of The this content line of this line d ddeterminative of the forearm with hand holding canonical loaf (gardiner in Amarahd d stela. The contentd of this line d d in Amarah stela.d The content of this line d 37) and mark of feminiza tion t in amarah stela. the content of this line d d differs from that of the pa rallel text in Medinet habu stela including

« on Shedet stela is (…) the tAsame Axt asn Rathat wbn of Abum dwAyt Simbel, (…): Amarah (…) like and the

A in Shedet stela differ horizon of ra, rising at dawn (…) ».

( (Gardiner Z 7) and three

d (Gardiner U6) (Gardiner and the T phonetic 14), pintail complement duck alighting r is (Gardiner the same G41), in the

pp (Gardiner Y1). This last word is followed by the (Gardiner U6) and the phonetic complement r is the same in the d with(Gardiner spelling (Gardiner U6) like and U6) that the and of phoneticAksha the phonetic stela. complement The complement same r word r is isfollowed the issame the same in the in the (Gardiner U6) and the phonetic complementp (Gardiner r U6) ris and the thesame phonetic in the r complement r is the same in the b p p (Gardiner (Gardiner in U6) Abu U6) and (Gardiner Simbel and the thephonetic is stela. U6) followed phonetic Theand complement content the bycomplement aphonetic phonetic of this complement determinativersurviving is the (Gardiner is passage thesame of same the in U6) theisin (Gardiner the andthe same the phonetic U6) in the and complementthe phonetic r complement is the rsame in is the the same in the (Gardiner U6) and the phoneticp complement r is the same (Gardinerin the p U6) and the phonetic r complement r is the same in the oc p p (Gardiner p U6) and the phonetic complement p is thep same in the p p is followed by a phonetic determinative of the p (Gardiner A1), on one hand. is followed On is followedthe byother a phonetic byhand, a phonetic in determinative Aksha determinative stela of the of the is followedc by a phonetic determinative of the c c is followed is followed by a by isphonetic followed a phonetic determinative by determinative a phoneticis followed of determinative the ofby the a phonetic of determinative theis followed by of isa thephoneticfollowed determinativeby a phonetic ofdeterminative the of the is followedct by a phonetic determinative of the is followed (Gardiner by a(Gardiner phonetic M 17), A1),determinative the on one hand. of the On the other hand, in Aksha stela cc c c (Gardiner (Gardiner isA1), followed on A1), one onby hand. one ac phonetic hand.On the On determinativeother the c hand,other hand, in ofAksha the in Aksha stela stela d (Gardiner A1), on one hand. On the other hand, in Aksha stela c c c (Gardiner (Gardiner A1), t A1), on (Gardiner one on onehand. A1),hand. On on theOn(Gardiner one otherthe hand. other hand, A1), On hand, in onthe Aksha one inother Aksha hand. stelahand, (Gardiner stelaOn in the Aksha other A1), stela(Gardiner hand,on one in hand. (GardinerAksha A1), On on stela theone M other hand. 17), hand, the On the in Akshaother hand, stela in Aksha stela t t (Gardiner (Gardiner M 17), M the 17), the (Gardiner A1), on tone hand. On the other hand, in Aksha (Gardiner stela A1), (Gardiner on one hand. A1), Onon onethe (Gardinerin other hand.Shedet hand, On stela M the 17),in isother Aksha identical the hand, stela in Aksha stela t td t t d t (Gardiner (Gardinert M 17), M (Gardiner 17), the the M 17), (Gardiner the M 17), the (Gardiner M 17), (Gardiner the M 17), the dt d t td d t (Gardiner d M 17), the d d (Gardiner d M (Gardiner 17), the M 17), the in Shedet stela is identical in Shedet stela is identical d andd t in Shedet stela is identical in Shedet stela is identical d t in Shedet stela is in identical Shedet stela is in identical Shedet stela is identical t t in (GardinerShedet stela Z is2). identical in Shedet stela in is Shedetidentical stela is identical t t in Shedet t stela is identical t and t in Shedet stela in is Shedet identical stela is identical T t and t and t (Gardiner t Z 1) in Abu t Simbel stela t t and tt (Gardiner Z 2). . and andt t and t and t and t (Gardiner (Gardiner and Z t2). Z 2). (Gardiner Z 2). and t T and t and t T (Gardiner Z 1) in (Gardiner Abu (Gardiner Simbel Z 2). Z stela (Gardiner2). (Gardiner Z 2). (GardinerZ 1) in Abu Z 2). Simbel stela (Gardiner Z 2). (Gardiner Z 2). T T (Gardiner Z 1) in (GardinerAbu Simbel Z 1)stela in Abu Simbel stela T T . T (Gardiner was Zdrawn 2).T with the same . signs (Gardiner as T (Gardinerthat on Z Amarah, 1) Z in (Gardiner1) T(Gardiner Abu in Aksha Abu Simbel ZSimbel andZ1) 2). stela(Gardinerin (Gardiner Abustela Simbel Z Z 2). 1) stela in Abu Simbel (Gardiner stela Z 1) (Gardiner in Abu Simbel Z 1) in stela Abu Simbel stela . . T MT (Gardiner . . Z T1) in Abu . Simbel stela . (Gardiner . Z 1) (Gardiner in Abu SimbelZ. 1) in stelaAbu Simbel stela was drawn with the same signs as that on Amarah, Aksha and . . . was drawn was drawn with thewith same the samesigns signsas that as on that Amarah, on Amarah, Aksha Aksha and and c was drawn with the same signs as (Gardinerthat on Amarah, Y 5) and Aksha the phoneticand was was drawn drawn with M with wasthe samethedrawn same signs with signs as thewas that assame drawn thaton signsAmarah, on with Amarah, as the that Aksha same onAksha Amarah, andsignswas and drawn as that Aksha with on was andAmarah, the drawn same Aksha withsigns the asand thatsame on signs Amarah, as that Aksha on Amarah, and Aksha and cM M (Gardiner N35), the mark of feminization t was drawn with theM same signs M as that on Amarah, M Aksha was anddrawn M with was c the drawn same with signs the as samethat on signs Amarah, as that Aksha on Amarah, and Aksha and (Gardiner Y 5) and the phonetic Mcc M (Gardiner (Gardiner Y M 5) andY 5) the and phonetic the phonetic M c M M c (Gardiner Y 5) and (Gardiner the phonetic N35), the mark of feminization t cccc c (Gardiner c (Gardiner N35), N35), the mark the mark (Gardinerc of (Gardiner feminization of feminizationY 5) Yc and (Gardiner 5)t and the thephonetict Y phonetic 5) and (Gardiner the phonetic Y 5) and the phonetic (Gardiner Y 5) (Gardiner and the phoneticY 5) and the phonetic c c (Gardiner c Y 5) (Gardiner and the phonetic N35), the mark of feminization t (Gardiner Y 5) and the phonetic ccc c (Gardiner (Gardiner c N35), N35), (Gardiner the the mark N35), mark of (Gardiner ofcfeminization the feminization mark Y N35), 5) of and ct feminization the thet phonetic mark (Gardiner of t feminization N35), (Gardiner the t mark N35), of the feminization mark of feminizationt t c (Gardiner N35), the mark of feminizationc t (Gardiner N35), the mark of feminization t c (Gardiner N35), the mark of feminization t

in Shedet stela is similar to that of Amarah and

in Shedet stela is similar to that in ofShedet Amarah Astela and in is similarShedet in Shedet tostela that is instela ofsimilar Shedet Amarah is similar to stela thatand tois of similarthat Amarah of Amarahto andthat of and Amarah and A in Shedet stela is similar to that of Amarah and in Shedet stela is similar in Shedet to that stela of Amarah is similar and to that of Amarah and A A A A in Shedet stela is similar to that of Amarah and A in Shedet stela A is insimilar Shedet toin stela thatShedet is of similarA Amarahstela is to similarand that of to Amarah that of Amarahand and A in Shedet stela is similar to that of Amarah and A in Shedet Astela in Shedet isin similarShedet A stela to stela isthat similar is of similar Amarah to that to thatand of Amarah of Amarah and and in Shedet stela isin similar Shedet tostela that is of similar Amarah to thatand of Amarah and A A A A is written with phonetic complements, while it is A A is written with phonetic complements, is written while withw is phonetic it written is is written complements, with phonetic is with written phonetic while complements, with it complements, phonetic is in whilethe complements, other while it istexts. it is In while the same it is line, the word r is written with phonetic complements, while it is is written with phonetic is written complements, with phonetic while it complements, is while it is w w in thew other w texts. In the w same line, in the the other word texts. r in Inthe the otherin samethe texts.other line, in Intexts. the the otherword sameIn the texts.r line,same In the line, the word samethe rword line, r the word r w in the other texts. In the same line, is written the word with r w phonetic is written complements, with phonetic wwas while realized complements, it is with the in while thephonetic other it is is writtenlettertexts. rIn with the in same phoneticthe other line, texts. complements,the word In the r same while and line, it the is word r was realized with was the realized phonetic with letter was the r realizedphonetic is written with letter the withr phonetic phonetic letter complements, r and is while written and it is with phonetic and complements, while it is was realized was realizedwith the withphonetic the phonetic is letter written r letter with r phonetic complements, was realized and while t with it and wthe is phonetic letter r was realized in the (Gardinerwith other the and texts.phonetic D 36), In the letter but same itr wasline, donethe word with r and is w written is t written with phonetic withw phoneticis t written complements, w complements, with phonetic whilet in the while it complements, other is it texts. is (Gardiner inIn whilethethe othersame in it D theis texts. 36),line, (Gardinerother was the butIn thetexts. wordrealized it same was D In r 36), the donewithline, (Gardiner same but the with it phoneticwordline, was D the r 36), done wordletter but with rr it was done with and r t is written with (Gardinert phonetic D complements, 36), but it was while done p itr withis w (Gardiner was realized D 36), with but itthe was phoneticin the done other letter with texts. r In the same line, the word and wt w w in p the other texts. in (Gardinerwas the in realized Inotherthe the other Dtexts.same with 36), texts. line,In was the butthe In phoneticthe realized samethe it word waswas same line, withrealizedletterr done line, the the r withwordthe t phoneticwith word the r phoneticletter r lettert r and and (Gardiner and D 36), but (Gardiner it was done D 36), with but it was done with w wp in the other texts. in In the the other psame texts. line,p In the the word psame r line, the word r t and with phonetic was realizeddeterminative with the of phonetic the forearm letter (Gardiner with r hand D holding 36), but canonical it was done loaf withand p was realized was with was realizedt the realized phonetic with with theletter phoneticthetand r phonetic with letter t phonetic letter r r determinative (Gardinerof and the p forearm D 36), and with (Gardiner and but hand it was (Gardinerholding Dp done 36), canonical but D with 36), it was loaf but done it was with done with was realized and with with was the phonetic realized phonetic determinativewith letter the r phonetic of the letter forearm r with and hand with andholding phonetic canonical determinative and loaft p of the forearm with hand holding canonical in Amarah (Gardiner loaf stela. D The 36), content but it of was this done line with t t and t with phonetic determinative p of (Gardinerthe p forearm D p (Gardiner with 36), (Gardiner hand but D itholding was36), D 36), donebutcanonical but it with was it wasloaf donein Amarah done with and with stela. with The phonetic content determinative of and this with line phonetic of the forearm determinative with hand of the holding forearm canonical with hand loaf holding canonical loaf t t (Gardiner D 36), (Gardiner butin Amarah it was D 36),stela. done but The with it content was done of thisd with line p in Amarahand in with Amarah stela. phonetic in Thestela. Amarah determinative content The stela.content of this The ofof line content thethis forearm line of this with line hand holding canonical loaf p pp d and with in phonetic Amarah and determinative stela. with andThephonetic withcontent of phoneticthedeterminative offorearm this determinative line with of thehand forearm holdingof the withforearm canonical hand with holding loaf hand canonical holding canonical loaf in Amarah loaf stela. The contentin Amarah of thisstela. line The content of this line p pd d d d and with phonetic determinative of the forearm in Amarah with stela. hand Theholding content canonical of this loaf line d and with phonetic and andwith determinative with phonetic phonetic determinative of determinative the forearm of thewith of forearmthe hand forearm holding with with hand canonical hand holding holding in loaf Amarah canonical d canonical stela. loaf Theinloaf Amarah content in dAmarahstela. of this The linestela. content The ofcontent this line of this line and with phonetic and determinative with phonetic of determinative the forearm with of the hand forearm holding with canonical hand holding loaf canonical loaf d in Amarah stela. The content of this line d in Amarahd 112 stela.d in Amarah in The Amarah content stela. stela. Theof thisThe content Walid linecontent shaikh of this of al this line arab line in Amarah stela. in The Amarah content stela. of thisThe line content of this line d d d d d d

the surviving words from the third line in shedet stela (line X+3) convey the

same theme as well as the line 34 of abu simbel stela, X+17 line of amarah stela,

line 33 of aksha stela and parts of lines 47 and 48 of Medinet habu text (fig. 9).

the script of this line is similar to some extent to that of aksha stela. Firstly, the

spelling of the word mrw, is differently done in the six parallel texts. its first part

mr , consisting of the phonetic sign of the hoe mr (gardiner u6) and the is the same in the (Gardiner U6) and(Gardiner r the (Gardiner phonetic U6) and (GardinerU6) complement the and phonetic theU6) phonetic r and complement the complementisphonetic the samer complement inr isthe the issame r the insame theis inthe the same in the (Gardiner (Gardiner U6) and U6) the andphonetic the phonetic complementphonetic complement complement r is r the same, is the in same the pin the parallel texts. (Gardiner however, U6) itsand second the (Gardiner phonetic U6)complement and the phoneticr iscomplement the same inr the is the same in the p p p p part, including p mainly the determinatives, differs from one textp (Gardinerto another. U6)that and the phonetic complement r is the same in the (Gardiner U6) and (Gardiner the phonetic (Gardiner U6) andcomplement U6)thep phoneticand ther phoneticcomplement is the complement psame r(Gardiner in the ris theU6) same andis the thein samethe phonetic in the complement r is the same in the (Gardiner U6) and the phonetic complement r is the same in the p (Gardiner U6) and(Gardinerp the phonetic U6) and complement thep onphonetic shedet p r complement stela isis slightlythe samer comparable in theis the withsame that in on the aksha stela; in shedet stela, is followed by a phonetic determinative of the (Gardiner U6) and(Gardiner the phonetic U6) and complement the phonetic r complement is the samer in theis the same in the p is followed by a phoneticis followed determinative by a phonetic of determinativethe of the p p p the is firstfollowed part of by the a phoneticterm mrw determinative is followed c of bythe a phonetic is followed determinative by a phonetic of the determinative of the is followed by a phonetic determinative of the p p is followed by a phonetic determinative of the is followed by a phonetic is followed determinative by a phonetic of the determinative of the c c c c is followed by a phonetic determinative of the c channel filled with water is followed (gardiner c by a phonetic is followed n 36) determinative is followed andby a c phonetic the by determinative of a thephoneticdeterminative (Gardiner determinative A1), of onthe one of hand. the On the other hand, in Aksha stela (Gardiner A1), on(Gardiner one hand. A1), On on the one other hand. hand, On inthe Aksha other stelahand, in Aksha stela is followed by a phonetic determinative of the (Gardiner (Gardiner A1), is followed on A1),one of hand. by onis seated followedaone isphonetic On followed hand. manthe byother andOndeterminative a by phonetic thewoman hand,a phoneticother in with determinative hand,Aksha of determinative pluralthe in stela Aksha strokes(Gardiner of stela the cof the A1), (gardiner on one a1). hand. otherwise, On the other in hand, in (GardinerAksha stela A1), on one hand. On the other hand, in Aksha stela c is followed by c a isphonetic followed c determinative by a phonetic of determinative the oft the c (Gardiner A1), on one (Gardiner hand. On theA1), other on one hand, (Gardiner hand. in Aksha On Mthe stela 17), other the hand, in Aksha stela c c c t t t (Gardiner M 17), (Gardiner the(Gardiner M A1), 17), (Gardiner on the one hand. M 17), On the other hand, in Aksha stela c t ct aksha stela (Gardiner this portion (Gardiner A1), on is (Gardiner (Gardiner followed one M 17),hand. (Gardiner t Mby theA1), On thed 17), theon phonetic the oneotherA1), hand. on hand, sign one On in ofhand. t theAksha flowering other On stela the hand, reed other in(Gardiner Akshahand, in stela A1), Aksha on stelaone hand. On (Gardiner the other hand, M 17), in theAksha (Gardiner stela M 17), the (Gardiner A1), (Gardiner d on (Gardiner one A1),hand. A1), on Ond one on the onehand. other hand. On hand, theOn d inotherthe Aksha other hand, stelahand, in Aksha in Aksha stela t stela (Gardiner M 17), the d d (Gardiner A1), t on (Gardiner one hand. A1), On t on the one other hand. hand, On in the Aksha other stela hand, in Aksha stela (Gardiner d M 17), (Gardiner the M 17), the (gardinert M 17), the determinative of dPalme brancht planted ind bread hieroglyphic (gardiner (Gardiner sign M 17), the in Shedet (Gardiner stela is identical M 17), the t t t (Gardiner M (Gardiner 17), (Gardiner the M 17), M 17), the d the in Shedet stela isin identical Shedet stela is in identical Shedet stela is identical t t d d d (Gardiner in Shedet M 17), in (Gardinerstela Shedet the is identical stela M is 17), identical t the in Shedet stela is identical in Shedet stela is identical t M 5) and it ends with the same determinative d ( ) like on shedet stela. in Shedet stela is identical dd d t t t t in Shedet stela is identical dt d t in Shedet andstela tt is identicalin Shedet stela is identical then, the term AHt in shedet stela ist identical to that on aksha and Medinet in Shedet stela is identical in Shedet stela is identical and t and int and Shedet t stela and is t identical t and t and t t t t in Shedet stela is in identical Shedet stela is identical and t (Gardiner Z 2). habu in Shedet stelae. stelait is writtenis in identical Shedet on the stela three is identical stelae witht phonetic and t signs (Gardiner A , H and Z 2). t t t t (Gardiner T Z 2). and t (Gardiner (Gardiner Z 2). (GardinerZ(Gardiner 2). ZZ 2).1) in Abu Simbel stela t t and t , and t and (Gardinert Z 2). (Gardiner Z 2). (Gardiner Z 2). T ,T in additionT toT two determinatives; (Gardiner the determinative Z 1) (Gardinerin and Abu of t(Gardiner Simbel the Z 1) tongue in stela (GardinerZ Abu1) in Simbel Abu Z 1)Simbel stela in Abu stela Simbel stela (Gardiner Z 2). T T and t and andt t (Gardiner (Gardiner Z 1) in AbuZ 1) Simbelin Abu stelaSimbel T stela. (GardinerT Z 2). (Gardiner Z 2). (Gardiner Z 1) in Abu (Gardiner Simbel stela Z 1) in Abu Simbel stela and t and t (Gardiner Z 2). (Gardiner Z 2). . . of land. . (gardiner . 21) (Gardiner and the Z determinative 2).T of plurality three (Gardiner Z 1) in Abu Simbel stela . T T T (Gardiner Z 2). (Gardiner (Gardiner . ZZ 1)2). in (Gardiner Abu Simbel (Gardiner .Z 1) stela in AbuZ 1) Simbelin Abu stelaSimbel stela strokes (gardiner z 2). (Gardiner this last Zdeterminative 2).T was realized with one (Gardiner Z 1) in Abu Simbel stela T TT . (Gardiner. Z (Gardiner1) in(Gardiner Abu Z Simbel 1) Z in 1) Abu stelain Abu Simbel Simbel stela stela . was drawn with the same signs as that on Amarah, Aksha and T (Gardiner Z 1) in. Abu wasSimbel drawn stela with was the drawnsame was signs drawnwith asthewas with that same drawn theon signssameAmarah, with assigns the that Aksha same as on that Amarah, signsand on asAmarah, thatAksha on Aksha andAmarah, and Aksha and . was drawn was with drawn the withsamestroke the signs same (gardineras signsthat on as z Amarah,that 1) inon abu Amarah, Aksha simbel and Aksha stela M and . was drawn with the same was signsdrawn as with that theon Amarah,same signs Aksha as that and on Amarah, Aksha and . . . - p. 112, M M M M M was drawn with the same signs as that on Amarah, Aksha and M was drawnmnmnt with the same signswas M drawn c as that with on Amarah,the same M Akshasigns asand that on Amarah, Aksha and (Gardiner Y 5) and the phonetic c c the word c on shedet stela was written (Gardiner with Y the 5) same (Gardinerand thesigns phonetic Yas was5)that and(Gardiner drawn the phoneticwith Y the5) and same the signs phonetic as that on Amarah, Aksha and c was drawn with was was thedrawn samedrawn with signs with the as samethe that csame signs on signs(GardinerAmarah, as that as that onAksha Y Amarah,on5) andAmarah,and the Aksha phoneticc Aksha andM and c (Gardiner (Gardiner N35), Y 5) theand the mark phonetic of feminization t (Gardiner Y 5) and the phonetic c was drawn with M wasthe samedrawn signs with as theon that same amarah, Mon (Gardiner Amarah,signs aksha as Y that Aksha and 5) on andMedinet Amarah,and the phonetic habu Aksha c stelae. and Min such stelae, c this word was built (Gardiner Y 5) and the (Gardiner phonetic Y 5) and the phonetic M c c c (Gardiner c N35), (Gardiner the (Gardiner mark N35), of (Gardiner N35),c the feminization mark the N35), mark of t feminization the of mark feminization oft feminization t t (Gardiner Y 5) and the phonetic Mc c M (Gardiner c (Gardiner N35), the N35), markc the of mark feminization of feminization t mn t (Gardiner Y 5) and (Gardiner cthe phonetic Y 5) and the phonetic (Gardiner N35), the mark of feminization t M M with repetitionc of the group consistingc c of the phonetic (Gardiner sign (Gardiner of draught- N35), Y 5) theand markthe phonetic of feminization (Gardiner t Y 5) and the phonetic c c (Gardiner Y (Gardiner5) and the Y phonetic 5) and the phonetic c c c (Gardinercboard- (Gardinerc snt,Y 5) mn and N35), the (gardiner phonetic (Gardiner the marky - (Gardinerp 5) N35),and of the feminization phonetic the N35), mark complement the oft mark feminization ofn feminization (gardinert t c (Gardiner Y 5) and the phoneticc (Gardiner N35), the mark of feminization t cc (Gardiner N35), (Gardiner (Gardiner the N35), mark N35), ofthen35), feminizationthe mark the mark mark of offeminization of t feminization feminization t t t , and two determinatives; that of the bull (Gardiner E 1) and that of plurality three strokes . c c (Gardiner N35), (Gardiner the mark N35), of feminization the mark of t feminization t (Gardiner E 1) and that of plurality three strokes . (Gardiner E(Gardiner (Gardiner1) and that E E 1) of1)(Gardiner andpluralityand that that Eof ofthree 1)plurality plurality and strokes that three three of plurality strokes strokes three. . strokes . (Gardiner E 1) (gardinerand that of e plurality 1) and thatthree of strokes plurality F three. strokes . Finally, the surviving and H and H F and H F F F and H s and HH and H F part of this line ends with the two and first Hf phonetic f fsigns and from the f f f f term sHb .

the few surviving words from the fourth line on shedet stela (line X+4) have

the same content of line 35 of abu simbel stela, X+18-19 line of amarah stela

and line 34 of aksha stela (fig. 10). in shedet stela, the scribe deceived himself

in writing of the word Drrw as it was clearly represented in the other texts. he instead instead of the insteadof the of the instead of the insteadinstead ofof thethe instead of the draws the group r-sy instead of thes seconds part s of the word Drrw as as it was as itclearly was clearly done in done the other in the parallel other parallel texts, texts, s s s as s it was clearly as done it was in clearly as the as it it other was was done parallelclearly clearly in as the it done texts, done was other in clearly in parallel the the other doneother texts, parallel in parallel the other texts, texts, parallel texts, i in Aksha in Aksha text. in Thetext.Aksha signsThe text. signsin Theword in signs words in s word s it was clearly done in the other parallel texts; in abus simbel stela i i ii in Aksha itext. The in Akshasigns intext. inwordin Aksha AkshaThe s signs text. text. ininThe The Akshaword signs signs s text. in in word Theword signss s in word

and w and w and w (Gardiner (Gardiner (Gardiner and w and and w w and w (Gardiner (Gardiner (Gardiner (Gardiner and w (GardinerA A A (Gardiner (Gardiner Z 2).(Gardiner ZIn 2). Shedet In Z Shedet 2). stela, In Shedetstela,the scribe the stela, scribe also the might alsoscribe might also might A AA A (Gardiner Z(Gardiner (Gardiner2). In Shedet ZZ 2). 2).(Gardiner stela, InIn Shedet Shedet the Z scribe stela, 2).stela, In also the Shedetthe scribe mightscribe stela, also also the might might scribe also might A (Gardiner Z 2). In Shedet stela, the scribe also mightf f f f f ff f in Abu in SimbelAbu Simbelin stelaAbu andSimbelstela and instela Aksha inand Aksha text. in text. Aksha text. in Abu Simbel stela in Abu and Simbel in in AbuAksha Abustela Simbel Simbel and text. in stela stela inAbu Aksha and andSimbel text. in in stela Aksha Aksha and text. text. in Aksha text. T T T T T T TT

on Shedet on Shedet stela on isstelaShedet the is same stelathe sameas is thatthe as sameof that Abu ofas Simbel, Abuthat ofSimbel, AbuAmarah Simbel, Amarah and Amarah and and on Shedet stelaon on Shedet Shedetis the stelasame stela on is as isShedet the thethat same same of stela Abu as as isthat thatSimbel, the of ofsame Abu Abu Amarah asSimbel, Simbel, that and of Amarah AmarahAbu Simbel, and and Amarah and on Shedet stela is the same as that of Abu Simbel, Amarah andA A A in Shedet in Shedet stela in differstelaShedet differ stela differ A AA A in Shedet stela in in Shedet Shedetdiffer stela stela in differ differ Shedet stela differ A in Shedet stela differf f f f ff f f ( ( ( (Gardiner (Gardiner Z 7)(Gardiner andZ 7) three and Z three7) and three ( (Gardiner Z 7) and three ( ( (( (Gardiner Z 7) and (Gardiner three d Z d(Gardiner (Gardiner7) andd three Z Z 7) 7) and and three three (Gardiner (Gardiner T (Gardiner 14), T pintail 14), pintailT duck 14), duck pintail alighting alighting duck alighting (Gardiner (Gardiner G41), (Gardiner G41), G41), d (Gardiner T 14), pintail duck alighting (Gardiner G41), d d d d (Gardiner T 14), (Gardiner pintail duck T (Gardiner (Gardiner 14), alighting pintail T T 14), 14), duck (Gardiner pintail pintail alighting duck duck G41), p alighting alighting (Gardinerp p G41), (Gardiner (Gardiner G41), G41), (Gardiner (Gardiner Y1). (Gardiner Y1).This lastThis Y1). word last This wordis followedlast is word followed byis followedthe by the by the p pp p (Gardiner Y1). (Gardiner (Gardiner This last Y1).Y1). (Gardinerword ThisThis is last lastfollowed Y1). wordword This is isby followed followed lastthe word byby is the thefollowed by the p (Gardiner Y1). This last word is followed by thed d d with spellingwith spelling withlike thatspelling like of that Aksha like of Akshathat stela. of stela.TheAksha same The stela. sameword The wordis same followed is wordfollowed is followed d dd d with spelling with with like spelling spelling that of like Aksha withlike that thatspelling stela. of of Aksha AkshaThe like same stela.that stela. ofword The TheAksha sameis same followed stela. word word The is is followed samefollowed word is followed d with spelling like that of Aksha stela. The same word is followedb b b in Abu in SimbelAbu Simbelin stela.Abu Simbelstela.The content The stela. content ofThe this contentof surviving this survivingof this passage surviving passage passage b in Abu Simbel stela. The content of this surviving passage b b bb in Abu Simbel stela. in Abu The Simbel content in in Abu Abustela. of Simbel Simbelthis The surviving content stela. stela. The The ofpassage thiscontent contento surviving oof of this this passage surviving osurviving passage passage o o o oo

(Gardiner E 1) and that of plurality three strokes (Gardiner(Gardiner . E(GardinerE 1)1) andand that thatE 1) ofof and pluralityplurality that of threethree plurality strokesstrokes three strokes. . . (Gardiner E 1) and that of plurality threeF Fstrokes . andand HH (Gardiner(Gardiner(GardinerF EEE 1)1) 1) andandand thatthatthat ofofof pluralitypluralityplurality threethreethree strokesstrokes strokes ... F and H (Gardiner E 1) and that of plurality three strokes and .H (Gardiner (Gardinerff E E 1) 1) andand that that of of plurality plurality three three strokes strokes . . FF F f (Gardiner (Gardiner(Gardiner E 1) andandand E E H H that 1) 1) (Gardiner (Gardiner and and of and pluralitythatthat H fofE of E 1) pluralityplurality 1) three (Gardiner and and thatstrokes that threethree of Eof 1)plurality strokes strokesplurality and. that three three of.. pluralitystrokes strokes three. . strokes . FF F (Gardiner E 1) (Gardinerand that of E pluralityand (Gardiner1)and andH H that three E of1) strokes plurality and(Gardiner that threeof . E plurality 1) strokes and that three of. strokes plurality and three .H strokes . ff f F and H F ff FF F F F F f (Gardiner F E 1) and andand that H of plurality and and H three H strokes and and H H . and H and H and H f (Gardiner E 1) and that of plurality three strokes . ff f f f f F f f f (Gardiner E 1) and that and of pluralityH three strokes .

fF F and H and H

f “Blessing of the God Ptah’” f stela from Shedet (Kiman Fares, Medinet El-Fayyum) 113 insteadinstead ofof thethe instead of the instead of the ss as as it it was was clearly clearly done done in in the the other other parallel parallel texts, texts, s insteadinsteadinstead as it ofof of was the thetheinstead clearly of donethes in the other parallel texts, as it was clearly done in the other parallel texts, instead of the i i insteadinstead in in Aksha Aksha ofof thethe text.text. TheThe signssigns in in wordword ss ss s as as as it it it was was was i clearly clearly clearly as it was done done done clearly in in in the the the done other other other in parallel parallel parallel the other texts, texts, texts, parallel texts, i instead of the sXpn in Aksha text. The signs in word s ss and in aksha as as text. it it was was the clearly s clearly signs constituting done done in in the the instead theinstead other other word parallel ofof parallel the the instead differ instead texts, texts, as from of itof the was onethe instead instead clearly of of the done the instead in the of other the instead parallel of the texts, instead of the iii i s ininins AkshaAkshaAksha text.text.text. in Aksha TheThesThe s signssigns signs text. inin in The s wordwordwords signs as s s it in was asword as clearly it it was wass done clearly clearly as as in it done itdone the was was other in in clearly clearly as the the as parallel it other other it was done done was clearly parallel parallel texts, in clearlyin the the done other texts, texts, other done in parallel parallel in the the other texts, other texts, parallel parallel texts, texts, i i document to another;s in in Aksha Akshain shedet s text. text. stela The The thisi signs signs term s inin is word wordinscribed s s as itwith was the clearly phonetic as in it Aksha was done signs clearly ininsteadtext. the as The done other itof was signsthe in parallel clearly thein word other texts, done s parallel in the texts, other parallel texts, i in Aksha text. The signs in word s instead of the ii i i s , x i i , ininp AkshaAksha nw text. text.i in TheThe in Aksha Aksha signssigns i text. text.in in in word word inThe asAksha The Aksha it n signss signs was text. text. andin clearlyin Theword in wwordThe Aksha signs , dones signs s intext. in ininword thewordThe Aksha s other signs s text. parallelin The word signs texts,s in word s instead (Gardiner(Gardiner of the and , w , , , phonetic complement andi (Gardiner , and and two w determina- in Aksha text. The signs in word (Gardiner s s A s as it was clearly (Gardiner done as in it the Z was 2). other clearlyIn Shedet parallel done stela, texts, in the the scribe other also parallel might texts, andA w i (Gardiner Z A 2). In Shedet A stela, in theAksha scribe text. also The (Gardinermight signs in Zword 2). Ins Shedet stela, the scribe also might andandand ww tives; that of (Gardiner(Gardiner (Gardinerpustule (gardiner aa 1) and that of three strokes and w (gardiner (Gardiner and iand w w f f in Aksha text. The signs (Gardiner (Gardiner in word s s AA (Gardiner(Gardiner(Gardinerf ZZ Z(Gardiner 2).2). 2). InInIn ShedetShedetShedet Z 2). stela,stela, stela,wIn Shedet thethethe scribescribescribe stela, alsoalso alsothe mightmightscribemight also might i in Aksha text. The signs in word and andandz 2). w in shedet and and stela, w w the scribe and Aand w also w might and forget(Gardiner w to (Gardiner (Gardinerwrite the suffix (Gardiner (Gardiner (Gardiner pronoun Z 2). (Gardiner (GardinerIn Shedet stela, (Gardiner the scribe also might f AA (Gardiner (Gardiner ZZ 2). 2). InIn Shedet Shedet stela, stela, the the scribe scribe in inand Abu Abu also walso Simbel Simbel might might stela stela and and and w in in Aksha Aksha text. text. (Gardiner (Gardiner ff A A (Gardiner in (Gardiner Abu Z 2). Simbel In ZShedet 2).stela In and stela,Shedet f thein stela, Aksha scribe the text. also scribe might also might in Abu Simbel stela and in Aksha text. A ff A A A A=sn and (Gardiner the word A nbtZ 2). after (Gardiner (Gardiner In A theShedet and word Z wZ stela,(Gardiner2). 2). sXpn(Gardiner In In theasShedet AShedet it scribe Zexists Z2). stela, 2). stela, (GardinerInalso in In Shedetthe themightShedet otherscribe scribe Z stela, (Gardiner 2). stela,parallel also also In the theShedet might mightscribe docu- Zscribe 2). stela, also In(Gardiner also (GardinerShedet mightthe might scribe stela,Z 2). also Inthe Shedet mightscribe stela,also might the scribe also might f ininin AbuAbuAbu f f SimbelSimbelSimbel in Abu stelastela stela Simbel andandand f f stela ininin AkshaAkshaAksha and f f text.text. text. in Aksha text. T T and w (Gardiner T A in f Abu Simbel f stela and T(Gardiner in Aksha f Z text. 2). and In Shedet w in stela, Abu Simbelthe scribe stela also and might in Aksha text. (Gardiner in Abuments; Simbel stela in abu and simbel in Aksha stela and text. in aksha text. T fA inin AbuAbu SimbelSimbel in stelastela in Abu Abu andandA Simbel Simbel ininin instela Abu AkshaAkshastela Abu (Gardiner andSimbel and Simbeltext.text. instela inin ZstelaAksha Abu Aksha2). and and InSimbel text. text. Shedet in in Aksha (Gardiner stela Aksha stela, and text. text.the Z 2).scribein AkshaIn Shedetalso text. might stela, the scribe also might TT T in Abu Simbel stela in Abu and Simbel in Aksha stela andtext. in Aksha text. T f the few words from fthe surviving fifth line in shedet stela (line X+5) have T T T T T T T in Abu Simbel stelaonon Shedet Shedet and stela stela in Aksha is is the the sametext.same asas that that of of Abu Abu Simbel,Simbel, AmarahAmarah andand the on Shedetsame content stela is written the same in lineas thatT 36 in of of Abu Abuabu Simbel Simbel,simbel T stela stela,Amarah and X+20 onand in Shedetline Aksha of amarah stelatext. is the same as that of Abu Simbel, Amarah and in Abu Simbel stela and in Aksha text. onA Shedet stela is the same as document, that of Abu line Simbel, 35 ofA A Amarahaksha text and A and line 51 in ofShedet Medinet stela habu differ document (fig. in in Shedet Shedet stela stela in Shedet differ differ stela differ ononon ShedetShedetShedet stelastelastela isisis thethethe samesamesame as asas thatthatthat ofofof AbuAbuAbu Simbel,Simbel,Simbel,T AmarahAmarah Amarah andandand 11). the Ton on written Shedet Shedet formstela stela f f of is is the the independentsame same as as that that pronounof of Abu Abu Simbel, ntkSimbel, Amarahon Amarah shedet and and stela is the AA A f on Shedet ininstelain ShedetShedetShedet is the stelastelastela samein Shedet differdifferdiffer as that stela of differAbu Tf Simbel, Amarah and A ononsame ShedetShedet as that stelastela ofon onis isabu Shedet thetheShedet simbel, samesame stela stela onasas amarah on isthatShedetthat is Shedetthe the ofof same sameAbuandAbustela stela aksha as Simbel, Simbel, onisas thatis the thatShedet the documents. sameof in of AmarahAmarahsame Abu Shedet Abustela as Simbel,as thatSimbel, is andand thatstelaMoreover the of of AbusamedifferAmarah AmarahAbu Simbel, the as Simbel, that andsigns and ofAmarah AmarahAbu Simbel, and and Amarah in and Shedet stela differ f A (( in Shedet on Shedet stela differ stela is on the Shedet same stelaas that is (Gardiner (Gardiner theof Abu same Simbel, Z Zas 7)7) that andand Amarahof threethree Abu Simbel,and Amarah and ff A A ( qmA ( (Gardiner in Shedet Z stela7) and differ three (Gardiner Z 7) and three A ff AA A Aused for the A word d d A fon Shedet in shedet stela in A stelaShedet is the differ same (Gardiner (Gardinerstela fromin asdifferin Shedet thatShedet Tthat T of 14), 14), stelaof Abu stela in pintailthe pintail indiffer ShedetSimbel, differ otherShedet duck duck stela Amarah stela alighting alighting differ in differ Shedet and stela (Gardiner (Gardinerin Shedetdiffer G41), G41),stela differ in Shedet stela differ (( ( d (Gardiner(Gardiner(Gardiner (Gardiner ZZZ (Gardiner 7)7)7) andandand T 14), threethreethree Z pintail7) and duckthreed alighting (Gardiner G41), (Gardiner T 14), pintail duck alighting (Gardiner G41), ff (( ff f fAparallel texts. f it is realized p p f with (on the Shedet phonetic stela f signs is(Gardiner (Gardiner the q same on, , Z mA Shedet Zas 7) 7) that and and (Gardiner (Gardiner (gardiner stelaof three three Abu is thein Simbel, Y1). Y1).g Shedet same 3), This This Amarah as stela lastthat last differ word of wordand Abu is is Simbel, (Gardinerfollowedfollowed Amarah by Zby 7) thethe and and three dd d (Gardiner (Gardiner (Gardiner T T Tp (Gardiner 14), 14), 14), pintail pintail pintail T 14), duck duck duck pintail alighting alighting alighting duck alighting (Gardiner (Gardiner (Gardiner (Gardiner G41), G41), G41), (Gardiner Y1). G41), Thisp last word is followed by the (Gardiner Y1). This last word is followed by the (( ( ( ( (A ( d A d (Gardiner (Gardiner(Gardiner Z 7) and ZZ with three 7)7) (Gardiner and andspelling threethree (Gardiner like Z 7)(Gardiner that (Gardinerand Tof inthree 14),Aksha Shedet Z Z 7) pintail 7) stela.and (Gardiner stelaand three duck The threediffer same alightingZ 7) inwordand Shedet three is followed (Gardiner stela differ G41), pp p (Gardiner(Gardinerd(Gardiner dd Y1). Y1). Y1).(Gardiner ThisThisThis lastlast lastY1). wordwordword withThis fthe isis is spellingphoneticlast followed followedfollowed (Gardinerword (Gardiner like complement isbybyby that followed thethe Tthe Td of 14), 14), Aksha ( pintailmby pintail thestela.d , duckthe duck The filling alighting alightingsame ( sign wordwith spellingis (gardiner (Gardiner (Gardiner followed with like spellingz G41), G41), that7) and of likeAksha three that stela. of Aksha The same stela. (Gardiner word The sameis Zfollowed 7) word and (Gardiner isthree followed Z 7) and three d d pp d (Gardiner d d f (Gardiner (Gardiner T 14), pintail T T 14), 14), (Gardiner (Gardiner duck pintail pintail (Gardiner (Gardiner alighting T duck duck T (Gardiner 14),p 14), Y1).Y1). alighting alighting pintail pintail ThisThis (Gardiner T last duck 14),last duck word (Gardinerword (Gardiner pintail alighting alighting G41), isis followedduck followed G41), G41), alighting (Gardiner (Gardiner by by thethe (Gardiner G41), G41), (Gardiner Y1). G41),This last word is followed by the d with spelling like that of Aksha (determinatives;stela. The same d throwword bb is stick ffollowedd (gardiner t d 14), (Gardiner pintail in induck T Abu (GardinerAbu 14), alighting SimbelSimbel pintail T(Gardiner stela. duck 14),stela. (gar- (Gardiner pintail The alightingThe Z content7)content duck and T 14), three of alightingof (Gardiner thisthis pintail survivingsurviving duck G41), (Gardiner passagealightingpassage G41), (Gardiner G41), dd withwithwith spellingspellingpspelling p likelikelikeb thatthatthat ofofof AkshaAkshaAksha stela.stela. stela. TheTheThe samesamesamep (Gardiner wordwordwordin Abu isis is(Gardiner(Gardiner followedSimbelfollowed followed Y1). This stela. Y1).Y1). last The ThisThis word contentb lastlast is word wordfollowed of (Gardinerthis isis followedsurvivingfollowed by theY1). bybypassage This thethe last in wordAbu Simbelis followed stela. by The the content of this surviving passage ddpp diner( with withg41) spelling spelling and p papyrus like like oo that thatrolled( p(Gardiner of (Gardiner ofd Aksha up, Aksha tied, stela.Y1). stela.Y1). and(Gardiner This pThe sealedThisThe same last same last Y1). word word wordword (gardinerThis with is is is is lastfollowed spellingfollowed followedfollowed wordy1). (Gardiner(Gardiner like this by isby followedthethat thelast Z Y1).of 7) Aksha andby This(Gardiner the threestela. last (Gardiner wordThe Y1). same is This followedZ word7) last and isword three byfollowed the is followed by the b b in Abu Simbel o in Abu stela. Simbel The content stela. Theof thisd content surviving of this passage surviving passage (Gardinero T 14), pintail duck alighting (Gardiner G41), bb d inin AbuAbu d SimbelSimbel stela.stela. Thed Thed contentwith content spelling ofwithofwithd thisdthis spellingspellinglike survivingsurviving that like like ofwith with passageAkshapassage thatthat spelling spelling ofof stela. Aksha Aksha with like likewithThe b stela.stela.spellingthat that samespelling of TheofThe Akshaword Akshalike same same likewith thatis stela. that stela. followedwordwordspelling of ofTheAksha Theis is Aksha followed followedlike same same stela. that stela. word word inThe of The AbuAkshais issame followed followedsame Simbel stela.word word stela. Theis isfollowed samefollowedThe contentword is offollowed this surviving passage o b b pwordd is followed in in Abu Abu by Simbel Simbel the d dependentd stela. stela. (Gardiner The The pronoun content content T(Gardinerd 14), of snof this this pintail surviving Y1). survivingwith (Gardiner duck This spelling passage alightingpassagelast T likeword 14), with that pintail is spelling (Gardinerfollowedof duck like by alighting G41), that the of Aksha (Gardiner stela. The G41), same word is followed oo b in Abu Simbel stela. The content oof this surviving passage b oo bb b b p inin AbuAbu SimbelSimbel b in stela.stela.in Abu Abu p TheThe Simbel Simbel contentcontent in instela.Abu stela. Abu of of Simbel The this thisTheSimbel (Gardiner content survivingsurvivingcontent stela. in stela. Abu ofThe Y1). of ThepassageSimbelpassagethis this content This contentsurviving surviving stela. last of (Gardiner of thiswordThe passage this passage surviving content issurviving followedY1). of passageThis thispassage by lastsurviving the word ispassage followed by the o daksha stela. the same word with is spellingfollowed like byb thatthe ofdependent Aksha stela.in pronoun Abu The Simbel samest stela.word in Theis followed content of this surviving passage o oo o od o with spelling like that of Aksha stela. The same word is followed babu simbel stela. the contentdo of inthis Abu surviving Simbel passage stela. with The spellingof shedetcontent like stela of that this differs of surviving Aksha stela. passage The same word is followed

ocompletelyb from that of bMedinet p habuin Abu stela Simbel which stela. contains: The in content Abu Simbel of this stela. surviving The content passage of this surviving passage

o o m rnpwt wAD ///// ra nb « : [lost] ///// : [lost] /////

with plants and verdure /////// daily (…) ».

the theme of the surviving text inscribed on the sixth line of shedet stela

(line X+6) is similar to that written on line 37 of abu simbel text, X+21 line

of amarah document, line 35 of aksha text and line 54 of Medinet habu do-

cument (fig. 12). it is important to note that the content of the surviving text in

shedet stela is almost similar to that on abu simbel text. in these two docu-

ments, the cartouches are preceded directly by the titles ny-sw.t-bity and sA-Ra

respectively. in the parallel text the cartouche of incoronation name is preceded

by « : ny-sw.t-bity nb T A.wy : king y of nb upper tAwy : King and lower of Upper egypt, and Lower Egypt, Lord of Two Lands » in A : n lord of two lands » in amarah stela and « : ny-sw.t-bity nb T A.wy HqA aA n Kmt nb n xAst nbt : king of upper and lower egypt, lord of two lands, great ruler of egypt, lord of every foreign country» in Medinet habu stela. the other cartouches containing king’s Personal name are preceded (Gardiner (Gardiner E 1) and Ethat 1) andof plurality that of pluralitythree strokes three strokes. . F F and H and H f f

instead of instead the of the s s as it was as clearly it was done clearly in done the other in the parallel other texts, parallel texts, i i in Aksha in text. Aksha The text. signs The in wordsigns sin word s

and w and w (Gardiner (Gardiner A A (Gardiner (Gardiner Z 2). In ShedetZ 2). In stela, Shedet the stela, scribe the also scribe might also might f f in Abu Simbel in Abu stela Simbel and stela in and Aksha intext. Aksha text.

T T

on Shedet on stela Shedet is the stela same is theas thatsame of as Abu that Simbel, of Abu AmarahSimbel, andAmarah and A A in Shedet in stela Shedet differ stela differ f f (( (Gardiner (Gardiner Z 7) and Zthree 7) and three d d (Gardiner (Gardiner T 14), pintail T 14), duck pintail alighting duck alighting (Gardiner (Gardiner G41), G41), p p (Gardiner (Gardiner Y1). This Y1). last Thisword last is followedword is followedby the by the dd with spelling with likespelling that oflike Aksha that of stela. Aksha The stela. same The word same is followed word is followed b b in Abu Simbel in Abu stela. Simbel The stela. content The of content this surviving of this surviving passage passage o o

114 Walid shaikh al arab

by « : sA Ra nb xaw : son of ra, lord of crowns» in amarah stela and

« : sA Ra n xt=f mry=f nb xaw : bodly son of ra, beloved of him, lord of crowns » in Medinet habu stela.

the throne name in shedet document is almost identical to that of abu sim-

bel and amarah stelae. the only difference lies in the form of the anx sign held in Shedet stela, but is over the sitting lady’s knees, in Shedet part of stela, the word but is mAat ; it is completely straight in Shedet stela, but is in shedet stela, but iss slightly italic in abu simbel and amarah texts. Mo- in Shedet s stela, but in isAbu inSimbel Abu andSimbel Amarah and Amarahtexts. Moreover texts. Moreover this name this was name differently was differently s in Abu Simbel and Amarah reover texts. this Moreover name was this differently name was written differently in Medinet habu stela which contains in Shedet stela, but is w in Shedet stela, but is in Shedet stela, in Shedet but is stela, but is s w in Abu Simbel and Amarah texts. Moreover « this : name(wsr mAatwasw Ra differently mry Imn ) ». in Shedet stela, but s is s I in Abuin Abu Simbel Simbel and and Amarah Amarah texts. texts. Moreover Moreover this this name name was was differently differently w s in Abu Simbel and Amarah texts. Moreover s this name was differentlyin Abu Simbel and Amarah texts. Moreover this name was differently s in Abu Simbel and Amarah texts. Moreover this name was differently w w in addition, the surviving w portion fromw ramses ii’s personal name inscribed w in shedet stela is almost identical to that of amarah (Gardiner's stela. in list these U 6), two but docu- it is written with the canal sign (Gardiner's list U 6), but it is written with the canal sign (Gardiner's list U ments, 6), but the it isword written mry( with inscribed the canal with sign hoe (gardiner’s list u 6), but it is ( ( (Gardiner's list U 6), but it is written with the canal ( sign written with the canal sign (gardiner’s list n36) (Gardiner's in(Gardiner's abu simbel list list U stela. 6),U 6), but but it isit writtenis written (Gardiner'swith with the thecanal listcanal signC 12).sign (Gardiner's list U 6), but it is written with the canal sign (Gardiner's (Gardiner'slist U 6), butlist itC is 12). written with the canal sign ((Gardiner's list C 12). (Gardiner's list C 12). (Gardiner's list( U 6), but it is written with the canal sign O ( ( then, (Gardiner'sOthe word Imn list was C 12). briefly written only with specific phonetic deter- ( O O and phonetic complement n without the specific determinative of this God and phonetic complement n without the specific determinative of this(Gardiner's (Gardiner's God list list C(Gardiner's 12).C 12). list C 12). O and phonetic complement n withoutminative the and specific ideogram determinativeA of theand god phonetic of amon this complement God (gardiner’s n list cwithout 12) in theshedet specific determinative of this God (Gardiner'sA list C 12). and phoneticA complement n without the specific determinative A of thisO O God O and amarah stelae. otherwise in abu simbel stela, it was written in a detailed O , and phonetic complement and phonetic n complement without n the specific without determinative the specific determinativeof this God of this God A and phonetic complementway; the phonetic n signs without i mn the specific and phonetic determinative complement of this n Godand without and phonetic complement n without the specific determinative of this God A A A the specific determinative of this god amon. in Medinet habu stela, this cartouche A was completely different from the above mentioned ones: « : (Ra ms sw

HqA Iwn) I: ra has fashioned him, the ruler of on».

General comments

it is evident that the granite piece of irregular shape is a small portion of a

huge monument of ramses ii. as the text suggests, it was part of a monumental

stela bearing a well-known text known as the «blessing of Ptah» that accom-

panied the so-called stela of the marriage of ramses ii. these two official texts

were displayed in major temples, probably all over the country, by the king.

the «blessing of Ptah» stela of shedet has most probably been a part of a gate

in the temple of sobek in shedet, as already noticed by davoli and nahla Mo- 17 hammed . More significantly, it was placed on its left side.

T T T T

T 17 T T cf. supra , p. 110, footnote no. 16. T T

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 “Blessing of the God Ptah’” stela from Shedet (Kiman Fares, Medinet El-Fayyum) 115

the comparison between the text inscribed on shedet stela and parallel ones shows that the text of shedet stela is almost identical to those written during the reign of ramses ii in its content, sentence structure, words used and ortho- graphy. significantly, it differs to a great extent from that of Medinet habu, which was inscribed during the reign of ramses iii.

this fragment confirms that the «blessing of Ptah» stela was erected together with the stela that celebrates the first hittite marriage of ramses ii, probably at a gate of the temple of sobek. it constitutes another confirmation of the kitchen’s idea that the two monuments were erected together. their pre- sence, moreover, points to the importance of the temple of sobek of shedet during the reign of ramses ii, who placed these official texts on monumental architecture in the most important temples in his kingdom. also the non-local stone used for the two stelae of shedet, the grey granite, testifies to the particular care and attention given to the temple by ramsess ii, of which some parts were already built with red granite by amenemhat iii. so far this is the only evidence of the «blessing of Ptah» text coming from Middle and lower egypt.

Fayoum university Faculty of tourism & hotels, Pobox: 63514 [email protected] 116 Walid shaikh al arab

Fig. 3: shedet stela, now at kom aushim open air storehouse

Fig. 4: shedet stela

“Blessing of the God Ptah’” stela from Shedet (Kiman Fares, Medinet El-Fayyum) 117

Fig. 5: facsimile of shedet stela

118 Walid shaikh al arab

Fig. 6: shedet stela (text copied by donadoni 2001)

Fig. 7: first surviving line on shedet stela and its parallel ones

“Blessing of the God Ptah’” stela from Shedet (Kiman Fares, Medinet El-Fayyum) 119

Fig. 8: second surviving line on shedet stela and its parallel ones

Fig. 9: third surviving line on shedet stela and its parallel ones

120 Walid shaikh al arab

Fig. 10: fourth surviving line on shedet stela and its parallel ones

Fig. 11: fifth surviving line on shedet stela and its parallel ones

“Blessing of the God Ptah’” stela from Shedet (Kiman Fares, Medinet El-Fayyum) 121

Fig. 12: sixth surviving line on shedet stela and its parallel ones

122 Walid shaikh al arab

Fig. 13: «blessing of Ptah», abu simbel stela (J.F. champollion, Monuments de l’Égypte et de la Nubie, i, Paris 1835-1872, pl. XXXvii-XXXviii)

Fig. 14: «blessing of Ptah», aksha temple in situ and loose block from it (J. vercoutter, Preliminary Report of the Excavation at Aksha by the Franco-Argen-

tine Archaeological Expedition , 1961, «kush» 10, 1962, pl. XXXv, “a-b”).

“Blessing of the God Ptah’” stela from Shedet (Kiman Fares, Medinet El-Fayyum) 123

Fig. 15: «blessing of Ptah», Medinet habu (The Epigraphic survey , Medinet Habu. volume ii, Later historical records of Ramses III , chicagop 1932, pls. cv-cvi.)