1 Introduction
The southern part of the East bank contains 18 quarries (GeSE.Q35–52), which date to both the Dynastic and Roman periods. Three of these, Q35, 37, and 40, preserve Greek graffiti (Fig. 35). Among the 24 texts that were recorded, 14 represent signatures, seven are proskynemata, and three are illegible, but placed within an offering table. The Greek texts mention 37 individuals, including 21 dedicators, 15 patronyms and 1 son. Ten texts contain a date (Augustus: nos 187, 190; Tiberius: nos 183, 187 (listed in the demotic part); Claudius: nos 170, 172–173, 175–178), and five mention Isis as the main goddess (nos 172, 177–178, 187, 190). The texts in Q35 are well preserved and are more elaborate in grammar, style and content. Several texts in Q37 are poorly preserved due to later eradication or superimposition. The single text in Q40 is well preserved, although shallowly etched.
Figure 35
Overview of the southern quarries, marked with the Greek texts (nos. 170–193)
Courtesy of Google EarthFigure 35
Overview of the southern quarries, marked with the Greek texts (nos. 170–193)
Courtesy of Google EarthFigure 35
Overview of the southern quarries, marked with the Greek texts (nos. 170–193)
Courtesy of Google Earth2 Quarry 35 (Q35—‘the Situla Quarry’)
Q35 is a small, open quarry located some 35 m south of the main quarry, and sits secluded in the mountain approximately 250 m east of the Nile. It can be reached either via the plateau, past a series of workmen’s huts, or through a small wadi that shoots off from the main pathway along the Nile. There are eight quarry faces (A–H), including a short corridor-like entry, and its maximum length and width measure 35 × 25 m (Fig. 36).
Figure 36
Topographic plan of Q35 marked with its sections (A–H), quarry marks, and Greek inscriptions (nos. 170–178)
Line drawing by Maria NilssonFigure 36
Topographic plan of Q35 marked with its sections (A–H), quarry marks, and Greek inscriptions (nos. 170–178)
Line drawing by Maria NilssonFigure 36
Topographic plan of Q35 marked with its sections (A–H), quarry marks, and Greek inscriptions (nos. 170–178)
Line drawing by Maria NilssonThe tool marks on the quarry faces follow a diagonal, parallel pattern, and the blocks are generally 60 cm long × 120–240 cm wide, and 90 cm deep. A maximum of fourteen horizontal extraction levels were estimated below the brittle top layers, providing approximately 100 blocks per vertical quarry face consequently (based on the general block size of 60 × 240 cm for quarry face Q35.D, and incorporating the separating trench space of 10 cm between each block). The volume of produced blocks for the quarry’s square core (encompassing quarry faces C–F) can be estimated at c. 3300 m3, and just over 7500 tonnes of sandstone. Traces of the extraction work also include wedge marks and rope holes. Archaeologically the quarry is more or less empty with the exception of some pottery sherds and an inscribed stone fragment that was displaced from its original position on the eastern quarry face. All eight quarry faces bear ancient graffiti, predominately quarry marks.
In addition to 133 pictographic quarry marks, the quarry contains eight demotic and nine Greek inscriptions. Many of these have been marked or retraced with chalk, but only a few were published by Spiegelberg and Preisigke.1 The Greek inscriptions are located on the western (C) and eastern (E) quarry faces, to which an inscribed stone fragment could be added (paired with no. 175a). Five are Proskynema-texts, and the others signatures. They were written by four men (
3 Corpus
No. 170
Inv. no.: Q35.C.Inscr.1
Measurements: L. 55, W. 105 cm
Height above the ground: c. 5.5 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Nilsson & Almásy (2015: no. 4); SEG 65 1916; TM Text ID 701123
Date: AD 45, 27 August–AD 46, 26 August (year 6 of Claudius)
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Harbeschinis son of Petephibis |
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Year 6 of Claudius |
Commentary
Two vertical strokes in the first name may indicate the abbreviation.4 The reading of the name could also be
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Κλαύδιος is written with a tau and an additional omicron, asΚλαούτιος .
The handwriting is identical with that of no. 174. The second line is written in smaller letters. The horizontal stroke in the large alpha consists of two strokes. The same person appears in nos 173 and 176. It has been traced with chalk (by Legrain).
No. 171
Inv. no.: Q35.C.Inscr.3
Measurements: L. 11, W. 12 cm (with boat: L. 46, W. 105 cm)
Height above the ground: c. 1 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Unpublished
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Harbeschinis |
Commentary
The two letters are here interpreted as an abbreviation of the name Harbeschinis, which appears repeatedly in the quarry. The text is placed within a large boat with mast and sail.
No. 172
Inv. no.: Q35.C.Inscr.4
Measurements: L. 39, W. 140 cm (with situlae: L. 49, W. 142 cm)
Height above the ground: c. 2.5 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Unpublished
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Year 9, Mesore 1, the proskynema of |
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Harbeschinis, son of Pakoibis, |
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engineer of Isis the greatest goddess |
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Milk |
Commentary
L. 1:
L. 2:
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Πάκοιβις was a common name during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, particularly in Upper Egypt.5 The Greek form is equivalent to the Egyptian name Pa-Gb.6 The name appears in another demotic inscription within the quarry (not published in this volume),7 and on inscriptions nos 175, 177, 178.
L. 3:
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μεχίσ (θης ) is written forμεγίσ (θης ).
L. 4: The word ‘milk’ indicates the contents of the two situlae drawn next to the inscription, both of which are elements of the Isis cult.
The person can be identified with no. 177. Marked in chalk as no. 316.
No. 173
Inv.no.: Q35.E.Inscr.5
Measurements: (excl. quarry marks): L. 43, W. 91 cm (with quarry marks: L. 47, W. 111 cm)
Height above the ground: c. 5 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 299, 302; I. Thèbes à Syène 158, 161; SB III 6914, 6917; Nilsson & Almásy (2015: no. 5); SEG 65 1917; TM Text ID 54372
Date: AD 45, 27 August–AD 46, 26 August (Year 6 of Claudius)
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Harbeschinis, son of Petephibis |
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Year 6 of Claudius |
Commentary
L. 1: The reading of the name could also be
As in no. 170, the names are written in an abbreviated form.8
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The alpha has a cross bar that rises towards to the left. However, in line 2, the alpha in ‘Claudius’ is horizontal.
L. 2: The digamma indicating the date of the inscription is crudely carved, but the parallel in inscription no. 170 confirms the reading of the sign.
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Κλαουτίου is written forΚλαυδίου .
No. 174
Inv. nos: Q35.E.Inscr.8
Measurements: L. 18, W. 56 cm (with quarry marks: L. 22, W. 82 cm)
Height above the ground: c. 4.5 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 305; I. Thèbes à Syène 163; TM Text ID 54379
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(Proskynema) of Peteminis |
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son of Peteminis |
Commentary
Both names are in the genitive and may be either father and son, or the same name repeated twice. The text is flanked by two triangular quarry marks.
Traced with chalk.
No. 175a–b
Inv. nos: Q35.E.Inscr.9 and 13
Measurements: 175a: L. 36, W. 60 cm; 175b: L. 45, W. 90 cm
Height above the ground: c. 4.5 m (directly below no. 174)
Condition: Well preserved. Traced with chalk
Bibliography: 175a: Graff. Silsile 301; I. Thèbes à Syène 160; SB III 6916; Nilsson & Almásy (2015: no. 7); 175b: Nilsson & Almásy (2015: no. 7b); SEG 65 1919; TM Text ID 54374
Date: AD 47, 28 August–AD 48, 26 August (Year 8 of Claudius)
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The proskynema of |
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Pakoibis |
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son of Paoueris |
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Year [8 of Cla]udius, Phaophi[…] |
Commentary
The inscription is today in two parts, due to breakage. The main portion (no. 175a) is in situ, c. 6 m above the ground towards the southern corner of the eastern quarry face. The second fragment (no. 175b) appears on a detached fragment and preserves most of line 4.
A quarry mark representing a tree is present to the immediate right of the inscription; this is also mostly preserved on fragment no. 175b. No. 174 is located above this inscription.
L. 1:
L. 2: Graff. Silsile 301:
L. 4: The first fragmentary word may be reconstructed as the name Claudius in the nominative, as in text no. 178, with whom this person is identified. The far left end of the detached fragment preserves part of a vertical line; based on a comparison with inscription nos 176 and 177, this may be reasonably reconstructed as part of an eta, referring to the eighth regnal year of Claudius.
No. 176
Inv. no.: Q35.E.Inscr.10
Measurements: L. 64, W. 138 cm
Height above the ground: c. 2.5 m
Condition: Well preserved. Traced with chalk
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 304; I. Thèbes à Syène 162; SB III 6918; SEG 65 1920 TM Text ID 54378
Date: AD 47/48 (year 8 of Claudius)
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The proskynema: |
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Harbeschinis |
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(son of) Petephibis |
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Year 8. |
Commentary
L. 1: Previous publications:
L. 2: Graff. Silsile 304:
L. 3: Graff. Silsile 304:
L. 4: Graff. Silsile 304: excluded the last line.
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Πετέφιβις (here in the nominative) is well documented as a Greek form of the Egyptian name Pꜣ-ti҆-pꜣ-hb.9 -
Inscriptions nos 170 and 173 were written by the same hand, contain the name of Claudius and can, thus, confirm the proposed ruler.
No. 177
Inv.no.: Q35.E.Inscr.11
Measurements: L. 33 (50 cm including quarry mark), W. 185 cm
Height above the ground: c. 2.5 m
Condition: Well preserved. Traced with chalk
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 300; I. Thèbes à Syène 159, SB III 6915 TM Text ID 54373
Date: AD 47, Sept. 17 (year 8 of Claudius)
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Year 8, Thoth 19, Harbeschinos, son of Pakoibis, engineer of Isis
Commentary
The text is written in three columns, but in continuous lines.
Col. 2 l. 1: For
Col. 3 l. 1:
The person is identified with no. 172.
No. 178
Inv.no.: Q35.E.Inscr.12
Measurements: (excl. quarry mark): L. 61, W. 135 cm (with tree: L. 76, W. 184 cm)
Height above the ground: c. 1.5 m
Condition: marked during previous documentation as no. 320 and traced with chalk
Bibliography: Nilsson & Almásy (2015: no. 6); SEG 65 1918 TM Text ID 701124
Date: AD 47, Sept. 15 (Year 8 of Claudius)
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The proskynema of |
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Pakoibis, son of Paoueris |
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before the greatest god among the gods of |
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the quarry, Isis |
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Year 8 of Claudius, Thoth 19 |
Commentary
The text is written by the same person as no. 175. A quarry mark depicting a tree appears directly to the right.
L. 1:
L. 2: Pakoibis was a common name during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, particularly in Upper Egypt.11 The Greek form is equivalent to the Egyptian name Pa-Gb.12 The name recurs in another demotic inscription within the quarry.13 Other than the two examples in Q35, the Greek form Paoueris is unusual.14 It corresponds to the Egyptian name Pa-wr,15 found in demotic both within the quarry and frequently elsewhere.
L. 3: The use of the genitive with the preposition
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τῦ was probably written forτῇ . -
μεχίθου is forμεγίστου where the -ου ending was used instead of an -ῃ , soμεχίθου stands forμεγίστῃ .
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λα (rendered asαλ ) may be a graphical error.17 In the same word, as in line 1, omega has been written instead of an omicron.18 -
Ἴσι is a peculiar dative written instead ofἼσιδι .
L. 5: This variant,
4 Quarry 37 (Q37—‘the Naos Quarry’)
Q37 is one of the larger quarries on the east bank, measuring approximately 200 × 90 m at its longest and widest. It stretches out along the Nile, separated only by a large pathway and the quarry’s associated quay, which is situated c. 50 m to the west. Because of stone extraction by dynamite, used for the construction of the Esna barrage (1906–1909), the northern section (Q37.A–C, northern surface of K) of the quarry is void of any ancient epigraphy, and the open space that was created thereof now offers access for the modern visitor. During the Roman period, however, access was through the three corridors. The northern corridor (Q37.N.K) was used for the transportation of stone blocks, supported by corresponding large rope holes and a paved central aisle along which the blocks were dragged towards the quay. The quarry is divided into two parts (north and south), and consists of 29 quarry faces (Fig. 37).
Figure 37
Topographic plan of Q37 marked with its quarry marks, and Greek inscriptions (nos. 179–192)
Line drawing by Maria NilssonFigure 37
Topographic plan of Q37 marked with its quarry marks, and Greek inscriptions (nos. 179–192)
Line drawing by Maria NilssonFigure 37
Topographic plan of Q37 marked with its quarry marks, and Greek inscriptions (nos. 179–192)
Line drawing by Maria NilssonThe tool marks on the quarry faces follow a diagonal, parallel pattern, or slightly curved herringbone in corners, and the blocks are generally 70 cm long × 175–210 cm wide, and 60 cm deep (variations occur). Approximately 17 horizontal extraction levels of good quality stone (below the frail top layer) could be estimated for the one of the taller quarry faces (F) in the northern part. Based on the general block size and the preserved footmarks of trenches, it can be estimated that quarry face F produced between 200 and 300 blocks for each step extraction from top to bottom. Using the deepest quarry core itself (quarry faces E, F, G and I) as an example, an estimated volume of blocks equals just under 13,000 m3, and over 30,000 tonnes of sandstone, or c. 650 blocks per horizontal layer. Thus, approximately 11,000 blocks were produced from the extracted surface now framed by quarry faces E, F, G and I, during a 37 year period.22 The amount of sandstone that was extracted (each season, by each team, or at a certain occasion?) is commemorated in a demotic round-topped stela (Fig. 38) from year 23 of Augustus, which states that 2500 blocks of stone were extracted.23
Figure 38
Round-topped stela crowned with the winged sun disc. The stela is situated c. 18 m above the ground
Photo by Maria NilssonFigure 38
Round-topped stela crowned with the winged sun disc. The stela is situated c. 18 m above the ground
Photo by Maria NilssonFigure 38
Round-topped stela crowned with the winged sun disc. The stela is situated c. 18 m above the ground
Photo by Maria NilssonQuarry 37 is nicknamed the ‘Naos Quarry’ based on a shrine-like structure that is situated in the northern part on the preserved plateau above K, I, L, and M. The shrine, which was cleared of debris and documented in 2013, is primarily rock hewn with a constructed flat roof consisting of three large (3.5–4 m long) blocks. It opens to the west. In front of the naos were found indications of an extended sanctuary, including column drums, and a series of rooms were excavated in 2019. Below the plateau, to the south, is situated another complex of several rooms, which was roofed by means of wooden beams and organic material. This complex was archaeologically explored in 2019, with continued excavations planned for the upcoming seasons. Statue fragments and debris, as well as everyday goods made from sandstone, indicate a workshop. Connecting the two areas is a staircase that follows the curvature of the hill, and indications of a castellation were discovered in 2019. The archaeological material that was found during the excavations included several oil lamps, beads, coins, and demotic ostraca.
5 The Epigraphy
The epigraphy of Q37 has received limited previous attention, and the presentation of the material is incomplete, with several erroneous facsimiles and transliterations.24 However, a few documents, including two Greek texts, are no longer preserved due to modern quarrying, our only original source for which is Legrain’s documentation.25 The northern part has the greatest amount of epigraphic material, including 53 demotic and 12 Greek texts, and 286 quarry marks, divided over ten quarry faces (all except A–B, and L). The corresponding numbers of the southern part are in total 33, including one demotic and two Greek texts (all shallowly etched) and 30 quarry marks. Thus, Q37 has in total 384 examples of inscribed material, including the 14 Greek texts published herein.
The Greek inscriptions include nine signatures, two proskynemata, and three illegible texts, listing 16 individuals, dated to between year 29 of Augustus and year 19 of Tiberius. However, the spatial relation between nos 180–181 and a demotic round topped stela pushes back the temporal frame to year 23 of Augustus (cf. Fig. 38). Two texts mention the goddess Isis as the receiver of their dedications (nos 187, 190). No. 182 is the only recorded text which applies a variation of theta in which the horizontal bar is replaced with a dot. As before, the lunate sigma is used consistently.
6 Corpus
No. 179
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.C.Inscr.3
Measurements: L. 18, W. 45 cm (excluding the quarry marks)
Height above the ground: c. 6 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 54; I. Thèbes à Syène 86; SB III 6848 TM Text ID 54201
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The proskynema of Ariston |
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son of Ammonios, Synites(?) |
Commentary
The tau added between lines 1 and 2 may be intended as an abbreviation sigla for the Proskynema. The text is surrounded by quarry marks, including offering tables and a tree.
L. 2:
Nos. 180–181
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.F.Inscr.3–4
Measurements: c. L. 31, W. 72 cm incl. quarry mark (no. 180: c. L. 7, W. 23 cm; no. 181: c. L. 6, W. 24 cm)
Height above the ground: c. 15 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Unpublished
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Ammonios Panouphis |
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(son of) Dion |
Commentary
The surface was rubbed down and smoothed to receive the first signature. The names are separated by a centrally placed offering table. To the right is a demotic round topped stela that is dated to year 23 of Augustus, and which offers a relative date also for nos 180–181.
No. 182
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.G.Inscr.7
Measurements: L. 13, W. 32 cm (excluding the quarry mark)
Height above the ground: c. 5.5 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 38; I. Thèbes à Syène 84 TM Text ID 54192
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Barathes |
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Barathes |
Commentary
Graff. Silsile 38 and I. Thèbes à Syène 84:
No. 183
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.G.Inscr.8
Measurements: L. 25, W. 46 cm
Height above the ground: c. 3.5 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 39; I. Thèbes à Syène 85 TM Text ID 54193
Date: 14 September 30 AD (Year 17 of Tiberius)
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The proskynema: |
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Mases, (son of) Drakon |
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in the quarry |
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Year 17 Tiberius |
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Caesar Augustus |
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Thoth 19 |
Commentary
L. 2: Graff. Silsile 39:
L. 2: The name
No. 184
Inv. no.: GeSE.Q37N.H.Inscr.1
Measurements: c. L. 37, W. 24 cm
Height above the ground: c. 7.5 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Unpublished
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Psenis (son of) Totoes |
Commentary
A horizontal bar above the nu indicates the linear suspension of the final two letters, inserted above, of Psenis. The text is situated within an offering table.
The name,
No. 185
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.J.Inscr.2
Measurements: L. 5, W. 24 cm (with demotic: L. 14, W. 28 cm)
Height above the ground: c. 7.5 m
Condition: well preserved
Bibliography: unpublished
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Twtw sꜣ Pa-wr |
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(Gr.) Totoes |
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(Dem.) Totoes, son of Paoueris |
Commentary
The signature is repeated in demotic, which also provides the patronym. The chisel marks of the two inscriptions and the images are identical and it seems they were all carved with the same instrument. The text is situated below a quarry mark series of a tree, situla and an offering table.
No. 186
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.KS.Inscr.2
Measurements: L. 33, W. 26 cm (including offering table)
Height above the ground: c. 1 m
Condition: poorly preserved
Bibliography: unpublished
[---]V
Commentary
The text is situated within an offering table and damaged by intentional erasure.
No. 187
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.KS.Inscr.4–5
Measurements: L. 19, W. 59 cm
Height above the ground: c. 1.5 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 24; I. Thèbes à Syène 81; Moje 2014 no. 17; TM Text ID 54185
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Pꜣ-di҆-Ḥr-pꜣ-ẖrṱ sꜣ Ḳny? |
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i҆rm Ḳlwḏ pꜣi҆=f šr nꜣ šty.w n I҆s.t |
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n-ṯꜣi҆-n ḥꜣ.t-sp 29 n Gysrs ꜥ.w.s r-hn-r hꜣ.t-sp 19 |
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n Tbrysꜥ.w.s |
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(Dem.) Peteharpokrates, son of Ḳny? |
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and Kolluthes, his son: the extraction for Isis. |
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From the year 29 of Augustus to 19 |
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of Tiberius (Gr.) Kollo- |
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uthes |
Commentary
Graff. Silsile 24: ‘Peteharpechrates, der Sohn des …, und Kolluthes, … der Liturgien der Isis vom Jahre 29 des Augustus bis zum Jahre 19 des Tiberius.’
Moje 2014 no. 17: Pꜣ-di҆-Ḥr-pꜣ-ẖrṱ sꜣ Wyn…(?) (2) i҆rm Ḳlwḏ nb ḥḏ n nꜣ šti҆.w n ꜣs.t (3) n-ṯꜣy-n ḥsb.t 29 n Gysrsꜥws r-ẖn-r ḥsb.t 19 (4) n Tbrysꜥws Gr.
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The Greek text is a repetition of the son’s name in the associated demotic graffito.
The demotic text refers to the quarrying activity for the goddess Isis. Another demotic inscription written next to this mentions the reconstruction work for Isis of Koptos under the surveillance of the well-known Parthenios son of Paminis, agent of Isis. The text was first published by Spiegelberg as a stela with unknown provenance.29 However, it is not a stela but an inscription from the corridor of the quarry dedicated to Isis in Gebel el-Silsila. The text published here probably also refers to Isis of Koptos and the same construction work.
L. 1: The reading of the father’s name, Ḳny?, is not secure. The signs after -y- appear to be determinatives.
L. 4–5: The letters of the Greek name are larger than the demotic signs, and we can assume that the two inscriptions were written by different persons.
No. 188
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.KS.Inscr.7–8
Measurements: L. 27, W. 70 cm (including demotic)
Height above the ground: c. 1 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 25–26; I. Thèbes à Syène 82; SB III 6843 TM Text ID 97671 and 54186
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Pꜣ-di҆-Mi҆n sꜣ Wḏꜣ-Ḥr |
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Psenmagios |
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Peteminis, son of Otehyris |
Commentary
The Greek and the demotic texts are not related (they mention different persons), although they appear to have been written by the same hand based on the compatible tool grooves.
L. 1: In the name
L. 2: Graff. Silsile 25 has Cha-pe-wšt Sohn des Horos, but the copy does not include the first two demotic signs.
No. 189
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.KS.Inscr.12
Measurements: L. 13.5, W. 13 cm (including offering table)
Height above the ground: c. 2 m
Condition: poorly preserved
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 29 TM Text ID 54190
Illegible
Commentary
The text is placed within an offering table.
In Graff. Silsile this is recorded as ‘Totoes’ but the preserved details do not support this reading. It is possibly a reversed writing of
No. 190
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.KS.Inscr.13
Measurements: L. 16, W. 22 cm
Height above the ground: c. 2.5 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 28; I. Thèbes à Syène 83; SB III 6845 TM Text ID 54189
Date: 17 September 14 AD
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Isis the greatest goddess |
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Herbeschynis |
| 3. |
(son of) Pamesis (?) dedicated (it). |
| 4. |
Year 44 of |
| 5. |
Caesar |
| 6. |
Thoth 20 |
Commentary
The stone surface was partially smoothed to receive the text.
L. 1–2:
L. 3–4: Graff. Silsile 28; I. Thèbes à Syène 83: “
-
Πάμ̣ησ̣ι̣ς (in the nominative here) may be the variant ofΠάνησις /Φάνησις or Pꜥ-mr-ḥse. -
ἀνέθηγεν is written forἀνέθηκεν .
L. 6: Graff. Silsile 28 l. 5–6;
Marked in chalk as no. 300 (10).
No. 191
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37S.M.Inscr.1
Measurements: L. 98 × W. 12.5 cm
Height above the ground: c. 1 m
Condition: Well preserved
Bibliography: Unpublished
| 1. |
|
| 1. |
|
| 1. |
Lysis son of Thyrsion |
Commentary
The reading,
No. 192
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37S.GN.Inscr.1
Measurements: L. 24, W. 15 cm (including surrounding table)
Height above the ground: c. 1.5 m
Condition: Poorly preserved
Bibliography: Unpublished
| 1. |
|
| 2. |
|
| 1. |
|
| 2. |
|
| 1. |
Psaes (?) |
| 2. |
Kh[…] |
Commentary
The text is very poorly executed and scratched into an uneven surface.
7 Quarry 40 (Q40 and ‘Commemoration Road’)
Q40 is a very small surface quarry situated some 230 m east of the Nile, and 170 m south-east of Q37. The quarry appears to have been abandoned almost immediately due to the poor quality of its stone, and which is indicated by the shallow depth and limited number of blocks removed. The quarry itself does not contain any epigraphic material, but the area immediately to its west contains a concentration of 28 feet graffiti, including an inscribed sandal. The graffiti are distributed over a small part of a road as it descends from the northern part of the plateau to the lower quarry levels, and is there intersected by another pathway that runs from the southern plateau down to the Nile. The corpus consists of a variety of sandals and feet, ranging from simple outlined soles to more elaborate sandals with interior decoration and details. The style of production includes engraved, scratched and hammered examples equally. One of the sandals is situated next to a larger anthropomorphic figure (c. 55 cm tall) illustrated in profile. This sandal is shallowly incised and accompanied by a Greek signature forming the name
8 Corpus
No. 193
Inv.no.: GeSE.Q40.Inscr.1
Measurements: L. 11, W. 39 cm
Height above the ground: 0 cm (incised into the bedrock floor)
Condition: well preserved, but shallowly etched
Bibliography: unpublished
| 1. |
|
| 1. |
|
| 1. |
Petseos |
Commentary
The signature is superimposed over a sandal graffito. The name is unknown, and only one similar form,
Table 10
Individuals listed in the southern quarries
|
No. |
Type of text |
Name in transliteration |
Name transcribed |
Type of individual |
Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
170 |
S |
|
Harbeschinis |
1st |
Q35.C |
|
170 |
S |
|
Petephibis |
Father |
Q35.C |
|
171 |
S |
|
Harbeschinis |
1st |
Q35.C |
|
172 |
S |
|
Harbeschinis |
1st |
Q35.C |
|
172 |
S |
|
Pakoibis |
Father |
Q35.C |
|
173 |
S |
|
Harbeschinis |
1st |
Q35.E |
|
173 |
S |
|
Petephibis |
Father |
Q35.E |
|
174 |
S |
|
Peteminis |
1st |
Q35.E |
|
174 |
S |
|
Peteminis |
Father |
Q35.E |
|
175 |
P |
|
Pakoibis |
1st |
Q35.E |
|
175 |
P |
|
Paweris |
Father |
Q35.E |
|
176 |
P |
|
Harbeschinis |
1st |
Q35.E |
|
176 |
P |
|
Petephibis |
Father |
Q35.E |
|
177 |
S |
|
Harbeschinis |
1st |
Q35.E |
|
177 |
S |
|
Pakoibis |
Father |
Q35.E |
|
178 |
P |
|
Pakoibis |
1st |
Q35.E |
|
178 |
P |
|
Paweris |
Father |
Q35.E |
|
179 |
P |
|
Ariston |
1st |
Q37N.C |
|
179 |
P |
|
Ammonios |
Father |
Q37N.C |
|
180 |
S |
|
Ammonios |
1st |
Q37N.F |
|
180 |
S |
|
Dion |
Father |
Q37N.F |
|
181 |
S |
|
Panouphis |
1st |
Q37N.F |
|
182 |
S |
|
Barathes |
1st |
Q37N.G |
|
182 |
S |
|
Barathes |
Father |
Q37N.G |
|
183 |
P |
|
Mases |
1st |
Q37N.G |
|
183 |
P |
|
Drakon |
Father |
Q37N.G |
|
184 |
S |
|
Psenis |
1st |
Q37N.H |
|
184 |
S |
|
Totoes |
Father |
Q37N.H |
|
185 |
S |
|
Totoes |
1st |
Q37N.J |
|
185 |
S |
Twtw |
Totoes |
1st |
Q37N.J |
|
185 |
S |
Pa-wr |
Paueris |
Father |
Q37N.J |
|
186 |
I |
Q37.KS |
|||
|
187 |
S |
Pꜣ-di҆-Ḥr-pꜣ-ẖrṱ |
Peteharpokrates |
1st |
Q37.KS |
|
187 |
S |
Ḳny? |
Father |
Q37.KS |
|
|
187 |
S |
|
Kollouthes |
Son |
Q37.KS |
|
188 |
S |
|
Psenmagios |
1st |
Q37.KS |
|
188 |
S |
Pꜣ-di҆-Mi҆n |
Peteminis |
2nd |
Q37.KS |
|
188 |
S |
Wḏꜣ-Ḥr |
Otehyris |
Father |
Q37.KS |
|
189 |
I |
||||
|
190 |
D |
|
Herbeschynis |
1st |
Q37.KS |
|
190 |
D |
|
Pamesis |
Father |
Q37.KS |
|
191 |
S |
|
Lysis |
1st |
Q37S.M |
|
191 |
S |
|
Thyrsion |
Father |
Q37S.M |
|
192 |
S |
|
Psaes (?) |
1st |
Q37S.GS |
|
192 |
I |
Q37S.GS |
|||
|
193 |
S |
|
Petseos |
1st |
Q40 |
(Grey = demotic; Type of text: I = Illegible; P = Proskynema; S = Signature)
Graff. Silsile 292–305 (Greek inscriptions = nos 299–302, 304–305). The epigraphic documents on quarry face C were chalk-marked as nos 312–317, and E as nos 318–321.
TM Name ID 8273; NB 46.
DNb, 823: ‘Horus, Herr von Letopolis’; CDD S, 2013, 376. This demotic form occurs in quarry Q24(.TS) at Gebel el-Silsila (Graff. Silsile 289).
Cf. Avi-Yonah (1940: 36).
TM Name ID 700; NB 258; Foraboschi (1971: 225–226).
DNb 418: ‘Der zu Geb Gehörige’.
Graff. Silsile 303.
For an alternative reading of the first name in its nominative form (Harbeschinos), see I. Thèbes à Syène 158, 161.
DNb, 306: ‘Der, den der Ibis gegeben hat’; TM Name ID 7927.
Very common in inscriptions from Gebel el-Silsila or elsewhere: cf. Gignac (1976: 277).
TM Name ID 700; NB 258; Foraboschi (1971: 225–226).
DNb 418: ‘Der zu Geb Gehörige’.
Graff. Silsile 303.
NB 272; Foraboschi (1971: 233).
DNb 359–360: ‘Der des Großen’.
E.g. Geraci (1971: 57, 69); Bernand (1977: 18).
For other examples where the liquid consonant and an adjacent vowel are interchanged see Gignac (1976: 315, where it is interpreted as a scribal inversion of the letters).
One expects
E.g.
Gignac (1976: 77).
Gignac (1976: 88).
The earliest (unpublished demotic) dating formula, situated at the upper levels of quarry face F give a date of “Year 23 of Augustus, Shemu 3, Day 16”, while the latest date, situated closer to the ground, is given in no. 184 as “Year 17 of Tiberius, Thoth, Day 19”.
This stela will be published separately.
Graff. Silsile 21–69; I. Thèbes à Syène 81–87.
Graff. Silsile 62:
O. Claud. 3 471, 1; O. Claud. 3 474, 1; I. Did. 5, 7.
Wuthnow (1930: 33).
Republished in Vleeming (2001: 172–173, no. 183).
LGPN: http://clas-lgpn2.classics.ox.ac.uk/name/
Chiarini (2017).
Petridou (2015: 78 with n. 262).
Dijkstra (2012: 43–46).
See for example Spiegelberg (1928: 24): a Graeco-Roman graffito at Deir el-Medina, which states “May the beautiful name of Psenchonsis, son of Teos, be enduring in the presence of Hathor, the Great Goddess, the Lady of the West”.
Vleeming (2001: 256).
Nilsson (2015b: 5).
O. Cairo 69 l. 1.