The Symbolism of the Purification Scenes of Sennefer: Ascending to Spiritual Rejuvenation | ||||
| مجلة کلية الآثار . جامعة القاهرة | ||||
| Volume 18, Issue 28, 2025, Page 21-46 PDF (1.73 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: المقالة الأصلية | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/jarch.2025.403831 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
Ola Elaboudy
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| Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| This paper analyzes the functions and symbolic meanings of three purification scenes of Sennefer, the mayor of Thebes during the reign of Amenhotep II, who owned tomb TT 96 a-b at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna cemetery. The three purification scenes were depicted in Sennefer’s burial chamber. The first purification scene is located on the south wall of the burial chamber. It relates to the funerary procession, which represents chapter one of the BD. It happens after finishing the mummification and before reaching the tomb. The Second Purification Scene of Sennefer is located on the north wall and is concentrated on Sennefer and his wife. The textual evidence refers to a large celebration that took place outside Sennefer’s tomb and is related to the mortuary temple of Thutmose III, Ḥnkt-ʿnḫ, in western Thebes. While it is accompanied by text that originates from spell 35 of the pyramid texts, it is also linked to another scene located on the eastern column on the northern side. The two scenes complete each other and indicate that Sennefer exits and then returns again to the tomb. The third purification scene of Sennefer is represented independently on the north side of pillar 3 (the west pillar). It has a specific symbolic motif that signifies renewal after death. Through the artistic elements and textual evidence, the author distinguishes between the actual purification ritual and the supreme one that will happen in the afterlife. Moreover, it seems clear that the three scenes complete each other; they represent the importance of purification for Sennefer to be renewed in the afterlife. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Sennefer; Purification; Necropolis; The Beautiful Feast of the Valley; Horizon; Rejuvenation | ||||
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