Egyptian Queen Merneit’s Wine Treasury: Insights from Abydos
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Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past
Recent archaeological discoveries at the Abydos cemetery have unveiled ceramic vessels used for storing wine, some of which remain sealed. These artifacts were meant for the final journey of Queen Merneit.
Abydos — [Photo: No machine-readable author provided. AntiguoEgipto.org assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons]
Queen Merneit, who lived nearly 5,000 years ago, was a significant figure in ancient Egypt. She was the mother of Pharaoh Den, wife of King Uadji, and daughter of Djer. Her monumental tomb, comparable in size to those of pharaohs, reflects her status during her lifetime.
The tomb of Merneit was first uncovered by the pioneering archaeologist, Professor William Flinders Petrie, in 1900. Located in Abydos, this burial site features multiple chambers constructed from mudbrick, resembling royal palaces. These chambers served various purposes, including housing courtiers and storing goods intended for the afterlife.
Professor Christian Köhler, leading the current excavation, noted that over 40 courtiers and servants were interred alongside Merneit. The discovery of hundreds of wine vessels in what can be described as storage rooms underscores the importance of these items for the royal family in life and death.
Dr. Dietrich Raue from the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo remarked on Merneit’s unique position as the only woman with a grand tomb in Abydos, suggesting she was a powerful figure of her time.
Detail of one of the two stelae erected in front of the tomb of Queen Mer-Neith at Abydos — [Photo: Juan R. Lazaro, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons]
Section 1.1: The Mysteries of Burial Practices
Some scholars propose that certain pharaohs were buried with their attendants. For instance, when Djer passed away, nearly 300 individuals were interred with him. Evidence suggests some may have been strangled shortly after his death.
However, Professor Köhler challenges this notion based on findings from Merneit’s tomb. He believes the tomb’s construction spanned a long period, implying that those buried nearby might have been interred either before or after her passing. This insight questions the commonly held belief in ritual human sacrifices during the First Dynasty.
[Photo: © Vyacheslav Argenberg / http://www.vascoplanet.com/, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]
Section 1.2: Architectural Significance of Tombs
The tombs at Abydos were excavated below the desert surface and possibly had roofs supported by wooden beams. The exact appearance of the structures above ground remains uncertain, as their preservation state offers no clear clues for reconstruction.
It is likely that these vaulted tombs were topped with tumuli—artificially constructed mounds of sand—symbolizing the mythological primeval mounds of ancient Egyptian belief, where the world originated and life was reborn. The tombs at Abydos served as forerunners to the pyramids, which later became the standard for royal burials in northern Egypt, culminating in the grand pyramids of Cheops.
Chapter 2: Cultural Insights and Modern Discoveries
In this video titled "History of Wine and Art Series: Ancient Egyptian Tomb Paintings," viewers will explore the artistic expressions found in tombs and their significance to ancient Egyptian culture.
The second video, "Scientists Find 800000 Year-Old Queen Tomb In Egypt And It's Not What You Think!" delves into recent archaeological findings that challenge previous understandings of royal burials.
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