THE TRANSVERSE CHAMBER

This chamber consists of two wings, one to the south (left on entry) and one to the north of the central axis from the entrance passageway and the passageway to the rear chamber. Thus, six large areas were created to form panels for decoration. These panels were then subdivided, as will be explained in detail in the following descriptions. This first chamber has suffered from much damage, some of which was certainly caused by visitors during the many centuries when the tomb was open to whom-so-ever. The most damaged area is the south face of the west wall. The chamber varies in size from one end to the other, being not only wider at the north end but also having a higher ceiling level (see ). However, the length of the southern wing (entry to end wall) is greater than the northern wing.

As already discussed on page 1, no ceiling decoration exists in the north wing. The south wing has, however, retained a large area at the southern end. Only remnants remain of the central area.

THE SOUTH WING

Situated to the left on entry, this part of the chamber, like the northern counterpart, consists of two long walls. Here they are approximately 4.3m long, by just over 2m in height. The south end wall is approx. 1.75m in width and again just over 2m in height.

The east (entry) wall

( and )

This section of the east wall is 4.23m in length and just over 2m in height. The wall is edged, at top and sides, by a border of coloured rectangles, alternately of red, blue, yellow then green, separated by black/white/black lines, the whole edged with a dark green line. The dado and borders below the scenic areas is the same as elsewhere. The frieze, located here (and on the other two walls) below the top horizontal border, can be seen in . It consists of plant motifs edged above and below with geometric patterns, the bottom one being of simple red spheres.

The decoration of this section of the wall is horizontally divided into two parts/registers. At the left end of the two registers, next to the entry passageway, sits Menna without his wife, overlooking the agricultural work being carried out in front of him in two sub-registers. Even more images of him appear in the sub-registers.
The activity in the four sub-registers is very intense, but the only descriptive text is associated with Menna himself.
As is frequently found, the registers (and sub-registers) are to be followed in the sequence of bottom to top; hence here, from the tilling of the land to the measurement of the land, after reaping the harvest.

1)- Lower register

This register has, at its left extremity, a single scene involving Menna and his three daughters. To the right of this, and taking up most of the register, the area is divided into two sub-registers with agricultural scenes.

Left extremity

Here is located Menna, seated in front of his three daughters. The scene is in a very poor condition, with several parts of Menna and his chair being lost. His first two daughters are represented in a larger size than the third, who is probably the youngest of the three. Above Menna and continuing behind him are several columns of multi-coloured hieroglyphic text, partially incomplete due to the damage. This text states: "Vindicating the heart by beholding happiness in your hall of triumph, you who satisfies [……] excellently of his lord, the favourite of the good god (the king) , the scribe, the overseer of the tillage [……] Menna.".
All three daughters wear a long transparent dress with a pleated bodice, and are adorned in a broad necklace, earrings, armlets and bracelets. The images of these three (especially the first) have suffered greatly during the past century, as can be seen in these . All three wear a black wig, that of the first being longer than the other two, and it also has a frilled edge. Each also wear a headband fastened with red ribbons at the back. Those of the two older daughters have, at the front, a golden head of a gazelle (see ) and two lotus buttons. The daughter at the rear only has a cone of perfumed grease on her head, whilst the other two are adorned with a gilded cylindrical mortar (that of the first being larger, with a large decoration at the top). At the front of the mortars are two tall upright golden feathers. The two first daughters carry a sistrum in the right hand, the third was originally holding flowers, but now only traces remain.
In the single coloured text, which (as already stated) is now almost lost, the three daughters are identified. First is "His daughter, his beloved, the favourite of Hathor, the royal ornament, beloved of her lord (the pharaoh) […] Henut"; the second "His daughter, his beloved, favourite [of Hathor… Ne]hemet, justified" (this one, due to the end word, appears to have been already dead) ; and finally "His daughter, his beloved, Kasi".
It has been suggested that this scene may not belong to the agricultural activities, displayed in the remainder of this register, because it actually depicts the ritual meant to rejuvenate the deceased and restore him with his vitality; thus really relating to the scene at the other side of the entrance doorway.

Lower sub-register: ploughing and seeding

The total scene begins, on the left, with the representation of two pairs of oxen harnessed to a plough. Unfortunately no colour photographs of this scene are available, all that is available is the B/W photo above and . In each case one man holds the handles of the plough, with another walking next to the oxen, sowing the seed. At the rear, on the left, a young naked boy accompanies the workmen in front of him. He holds a bag, providing them with seed, which he obtains from two figurative heaps above his image.

To the right, in front of the two ploughing groups, the register is further sub-divided. From the content of these two sub-divisions, they appear to contain activities which have preceeded the ploughing. They both contain the work of clearing and preparing the land, with several men equipped with hoes. Yet again there are oxen pulling ploughs. All the men in these scenes (and there are women/girls) are dressed in just a white kilt.

In the lower sub-division (see ), on the left are five men clearing the land with hoes, whilst coming towards them is a pair of oxen pulling a plough. Between the men on the left, can be seen a man who is apparently asleep under a tree. Further along this row, close to another tree, is seated a woman with a basket of fruit placed in front of her, one of which she holds to her mouth. Above her are two jars and a casket which are probably meant for the workers. Perhaps it is her job to distribute them. At the extreme right is yet another tree, near to which stands a supervisor, who leans on his staff of office to support him. In front of him, two men and two women work on a field of flax. The men and one of the women tear the stems of the plants, whilst her companion seams to check the top of the crop, with her hands. These two women are dressed only in a tight-fitting skirt, extending below their knees.

In the upper sub-division (see ), two trees, which delimit the area of the field, are seen on the left. Then, four men holding a hoe reclaim the land, whilst coming towards them are a pair of oxen harnessed to a plough with a farmer controlling it. This time he is followed by a companion who is sowing the seeds. Further to the right, close to a tree, are seated two girls dressed in long transparent dresses. The one on the right pulls a thorn from her friend's left foot (see ). Between (above) these girls, is represented a large basketwork bag. At the right end is a scene of harvesting flax by three men. Bent, they thresh the long stems of the plants, whose seeds are used in many professions. At the right extremity, are represented two piles of the flax not yet threshed.

Upper sub-register: harvesting

At the extreme left, Menna attends the gathering of the crop. He is represented inside a kiosk, seated on a folding stool, with his feet resting on a small pad. In his left hand he holds his staff of office and in the other he holds a folded piece of cloth.

Facing him is a servant wearing a white kilt, holding the front column of the kiosk with his right hand. In the other he holds a yellow container. Behind him is a tree with its branches laden with fruit. The tree also contains nests which include eggs or chicks. Two large boxes, of different shape, have been placed at the bottom of the tree.
To the right, standing at the other side of the tree, is a scribe (his palette is in his left hand). He is in command of the workers who are occupying the rest of the register, men carry out work in the field, harvesting the crop.

The harvesting.

The group of eight harvesters bend, sickle in hand, in order to cut the sheaves of wheat, although the third from the left is busy having a drink of water, the upper part of his image is lost. Facing him stands a woman, indicated by her long skirt and pink upper garment, holding on her shoulder a woven basket. She probably brought to him the water container. In the middle is a young child, clothed in only a slim belt, although what he holds is unknown due to damage. Only the top of the wheat is cut in order to leave the stubble for grazing, which will be the last stage of the harvest.
Above the harvesters are six trees, shown in a smaller scale, giving an effect of perspective, possibly to show the far extent of the field. On the branches of the first two trees, on the left, in front of the larger scale tree, are again visible nests with eggs, whilst a bird can be seen taking flight between the two (see ). At the foot of the third, from which hang some pods (possibly a carob tree or an acacia), a woman sits on a stool (see ). She holds a child, secured to her chest by a large support consisting of strips of cloth which wrap around her upper torso. The child raises a hand to its mother's hair (or perhaps this is a wet nurse). A bowl full of fruit rests near her feet, but it is difficult to identify this fruit.

Carrying the harvest.

To the right of the men doing the harvesting, are two pairs of men carrying two large nets, containing the crop, suspended from a long pole which rests on their shoulders. They walk towards the threshing area which forms the end (right) scene of this sub-register. Each of the men wears only a brief garment. These are very special, with an design looking like feathers (a reminder of the Rishi coffins) and a small flat white front piece with a scalloped lower edge.
Between the two sets of bearers stands a younger person, facing the left-most pair (see image left). Due to the paler colour of the skin, this is probably a girl. She wears a long skirt and a head scarf which hides her hair. She holds a small vessel to her chest, probably containing water. Under the net of the left pair, a young boy, totally unclothed, picks up grain which has been dropped. Under the net of the right-hand pair (see image right) are two small girls dressed in a similar way to those in the lower sub-register, one of whom was pulling a thorn from the other's foot. However, these two quarrel with each other and pull at each other's hair. A basket lies on the ground between them, so it would appear that they were also gathering ears of wheat before they started their argument.

The final scenes.

Separating the actual final scene from the men carrying the harvest, is another tree which fills the height of the sub-register. This marks the end of the crop area. A black goatskin hangs from one its branches. At the foot of the tree are seated two men, each on a stool, both wearing a wig and short kilt. The one on the left appears to have fallen asleep with his elbow resting on his knee. The other reclines against the tree, playing a flute. The kilt of the flute player is pleated.
The final scene has been restricted by the available space. Two men spread sheaves of wheat a threshing floor from the large piles on either side of them. The two men, each wearing only a kilt and provided with a long fork, prepare the area for threshing the harvest. They are overlooked by their supervisor, represented with quite a paunch, easily visible above his kilt. He supports himself with a long staff and has the heel of front foot raised, possibly suggesting that he is handicapped.

2)- Upper register

This register has, at it left extremity, a seated Menna receiving goods. However, both the goods and those bring them are divided into two groups, on the left end of the two sub-registers facing him. These sub-registers, behind the two groups just mentioned, include the threshing and measurement of the grain (lower) and measurement of the agricultural area followed by receipt of foreign gifts (upper).

Left extremity

Here is located Menna, seated on a folding stool with the top covered by an animal skin. The seat rests on a reed mat. Above and behind Menna, the text states: "Enjoying himself with the work of the fields, by the great confidant of the Lord of the Two Lands, in [his] wish [……] the eyes of the King in every place, Overseer of the estate [of Amon, Men]na, justified before the great god." Here he carries out his official position with his staff of office in his left hand and a folded piece of cloth in the other. His face and several portions of the text have been destroyed. As usual, he is dressed in a long semi-transparent garment over a short white pleated kilt, with the end of the long sash-belt hanging down the side of the stool. He is adorned with a broad necklace and wrist-bracelets.

Lower sub-register.

This is effectively divided into three sub-scenes, the one on the left being associated with the seated image of Menna.

The offerings. At the left end,

the offerings are presented to Menna by a group of seven officials, probably the owners of the fields, recognisable by their short-sleeved pink (or possibly semi-transparent) shirts, their pointed kilts and short wigs. They stand respectfully in two groups of two and a final group of three. All bend slightly as a sign of submission.
Their offerings (see ), placed in front of Menna, include, from bottom to top, four baskets of fruits on top of which is a green gourd, five ovoid jars, a goblet filled with fruits (the colour now almost lost), three green plants, and at the top three yellow birds and two groups of geese.
Behind the officials can be seen the chariot of Menna, harnessed to a white horse with red markings. The horse has four reigns attached, from which, although not obvious, it may be assumed that there are in fact two horses. The reigns are held by the man standing behind the chariot, wearing a short wig and dressed in a white loincloth, keeping the horse/s under control. The body of the chariot is produced in red with a frame of blue. It is equipped with a quiver to hold arrows or spears.
During the time between when the b/w photograph was taken, which was long before the colour one, part of the stonework and a long oblique fracture has damaged a portion of the scene.

The sequence of operation in the rest of this sub-register is divided into two sub-scenes, sequenced from right to left.

The threshing and winnowing of the grain.

Menna, who is at the left of the total sub-scene, stands in a pavilion/shelter constructed of reeds. He overlooks all of the work which takes place in front of him. It should be noted that although his title and name: "Scribe of the Lord of the Two Lands, Menna", located within the shelter, are undamaged, his face has however been destroyed. He wears a shoulder-length wig and is clothed in a semi-transparent robe with short-sleeves, under which he has a kilt which is folded across at the front. In his left hand he holds his staff of office, whilst with the other he holds the usual folded piece of white cloth.
A servant stands, bending slightly forwards, in front of the shelter placing two dark red vessels, possibly containing wine or water for his master to drink. He is represented with a naked upper torso, wearing only a white kilt. His age is emphasised by his grey hair, balding slightly at the front, and his emphasised overweight shown by the bulge of his stomach extending over his belt.

The actual activity begins at the far right of the sub-register, with the treading of the wheat on the threshing floor. The sheaths of wheat are piled in two large heaps, at the centre of which they are crushed by the trampling of four oxen, two red-brown and two white. They are yoked together by a single band which passes around their neck. The man who controls them holds a long stick in his hand. Due to the small amount of space available for the scene, the cattle do not appear to have much room to move. The two men who help him stand on the heaps to either side. Behind him, on the right, his companion holds a rake to push the sheaths progressively on to the treading area. The other man, standing at the other side, who also holds a rake, has his back turned away from the work to watch what is happening else where. This one has black hair with a balding front, whereas the other two have their heads covered by a white scarf tied at the back of the neck. All three men wear a short white kilt.

To the left is the following activity in the sequence (see the ). It represents the winnowing of the wheat, which is executed by nine agriculturists. They are all dressed in short white kilts and all wear a scarf hiding their hair. Two groups of three stand on either side assisted by three others who work in the middle. The men of the outer groups each hold a pair of scoops, with which they toss the chaff and grain, obtained from the piles at the side of them. The chaff, being lighter, flies away, whilst the heavier grain fall to the ground. The three men in the middle, with brushes in their hands, move the dust and straw, leaving the grain. Behind the left middle worker is a pair of scoops, perhaps he does both jobs.

The measurement of the grain.

This is the final scene of the sub-register. Here the wheat, processed to the right, is measured and recorded by an amazing number of scribes, eight in total, three standing on the left, the others on the right, one sitting on top of a pile of grain and the other four depicted behind the pile. All of these scribes are dressed as Menna in his shelter, a shoulder-length wig and clothed in a semi-transparent robe with short-sleeves, under which is a kilt, folded across at the front, although the front of the kilt isn't obvious on the scribes located on the right. All hold their scribal materials, which were probably stored in the chest shown at the top of the scene. Only one of the scribes has suffered damage, the one at top right.
At the centre are two piles of wheat, the one on the right being distinctly larger than the other, large and solid enough for one scribe to sit on top of it. Four men, all stooping side-by-side, wearing a skullcap and a white loincloth, fill measuring containers. What they do with them, once measured, is anybody's guess.

Upper sub-register.

Like the lower sub-register, this one is also effectively divided into three sub-scenes, the one on the left being associated with the seated image of Menna.

The offerings.

In this sub-register, at the left end, the offerings are in two piles. The upper one consisting of three pedestal tables piled with fruits (grapes, dates or figs) and on top of each pile is a bunch of lotus blooms and buttons. At the level of the pedestal legs, which rest on a single representing the floor, are bunches of dates. The lower group, which rests on a reed mat, is displayed in two levels. At the base, from the left, are three red containers, then two white baskets of red fruit and finally a woven basket of blue fruit. Above these, possibly on a large flat tray, is a curved dish containing two plucked birds, above which is another dish with two large white eggs, to the right of which are two green vegetables. Next to the birds are two bowls with lids of the same form, on top of which is a small papyrus reed mat supporting two blue-green fish with red fins and tail.
To the right of the lower offerings, and overlapping the legs of the two scribes of the next scene, is a kneeling man, his head almost touching the ground. There is no text explaining whether he is pleading for something from the rear-most of the two scribes or if he is responsible for the offerings to Menna.

The measurement scenes.

Click on either image to enlarge it.

The scene of the measurement of fields takes place in the presence of scribes and occupies the large central section of the sub-register. This may at first seem strangely out of sequence, because the crop is ripe and has not yet been harvested. The reason for it taking place at this time would be to ascertain the portion of the crop which would belong to the estate of Amon.

In total there are five scribes, which include the two scribes on the left (see image above, in the offering section, the front-most of the two is also to the left in the image above), next to the offerings. The others are positioned along the measuring rope, identified by their clothing. Towards the middle of the rope two scribes stand next to each other and it is difficult, at first glance, to see both of them. All of these scribes would belong to the records office and be responsible for the taxation of the land. It can be assumed that those nearest the offerings are of a higher rank as they are shown holding their staff of office. All the scribes wear a pleated kilt over a tripartite kilt, with a semi-transparent, short sleeved shirt and all hold their scribal materials in one hand. They all wear a black wig. With the exception of the left-most, all the faces of the scribes have suffered damage. None, however, seem to be taking notes.

Two assistants carry out the actual measurement, the one at the rear holds the end of the rope, keeping it taught, whilst the other, at the front, holds the remains of the coil. Both of these men have spare coils. [Note that the cord appears to pass behind the leading man.] They only wear the tripartite kilt (no shirt) and a pink head covering (this could actually represent that they have shaven heads). The three scribes alongside the rope are accompanied by two children, one of which (the rear-most) carries a bag and a spare palette.

Walking behind the lead measurer is a man of a slightly shorter stature. One side of his white loincloth descends down his leg. His imagery gives the impression of him being blind, because he holds a long cane in his left hand, whilst his other is placed on the head of the young naked boy who stands in front of him, as if to guide him.

At the far right, the possible owner of the land, followed by a woman who could be his wife, approaches the lead measurer. The man wears a loincloth of the same style as the "blind" man. In his hand he holds a sheaf of wheat, interpreted by Egyptologists as the "bride" symbol, still found today in the Egyptian countryside at the time of the harvest. In his other hand he holds a dish on which is placed a pointed cone of bread. The woman wears a long wig and is dressed in a white sheath dress with a single strap, revealing her breast. She carries a yellow basket on her head supported by her right hand. This is filled with produce. With the other hand, she holds a goblet, the content of which is unknown. Bringing up the rear of the scene is a donkey, whose image has been totally and deliberately erased. It is possible that this was erased during the Ramesside period because of the relationship between this animal and the god Seth, who during this time was thought of as the murderer of Osiris. This donkey was being driven by a boy holding a stick in his right hand, and a woven bag and a small gazelle grasped of his left arm. If this is the son of the couple, then the family appear to bring provisions to the scribes and measurers. Is this as a "reward" for measuring the field or a bribe to leave more for the family, i.e. to encourage officials to lower their taxes?

At the top of the scene are three trees, again they are there to produce depth to the image, or to mark the boundary of the field. The trunk and branches are brown, the green of the trees is now almost lost. In the branches are bird nests, each containing eggs and a bird is perched on a branch.

Menna and the final scenes

The register ends with a scene showing Menna having achieved his function. He stands inside a pavilion/shelter of the usual reed construction. The text inside identifies him as "Scribe of the estates of the Lord of the Two Lands of South and North". His name remains intact although once again his face is damaged. He wears a wig which extends to the base of his neck, and he is clothed in a short plain kilt over which fits a short-sleeved garment of a fine transparent material, descending to his mid-calf. With his left hand he holds his long staff of office, and with the right the green kherep-sceptre.

At the far right, is displayed a moored boat resting on a blue oblong, representing the river or an inland waterway. This could either represent the means of transportation and the official vessel of Menna, the method to transport the taxed volume of the harvest or the boat which has just brought the four men of the upper sub-division. The two ends of the craft are decorated with blue lotus with another design nearer the main body. The rear is equipped with a steering-paddle whilst the mooring rope is seen to the left. Its cabin is composed of a multicoloured tent cloth supported on a frame, on the roof of which are placed three yellow and white chests. At the mooring end, the stern, stands a man holding a whip on his shoulder. He is dressed as so many others on this wall, wearing a transparent shirt and a short kilt. Above the craft is a horizontal line representing the bank, on which are piled round white objects and in another pile, oblong blue-green objects.

Between Menna and this craft the sub-register is again sub-divided. In the uppermost, a man wearing a skullcap and dressed only in a white loincloth, receives four men, all dressed to indicated that they are of a higher rank. (Perhaps they have just arrived in the boat.) On their heads they wear a black wig and clothed in a white kilt over which is a long transparent short-sleeved garment. This has been roughly ochre coloured above the waist. Could this be what the servant in front of them has applied from the bowl, located between him and the four? Could it be a fatty unguent with which he covers the shoulders of the officials, in order to protect them from the burning of the sun? This servant places his hands on the shoulders of the first, who leans towards him, as do the other three.

Below this, in the other sub-division, a beating is being carried out by a servant of Menna, on a man who is lying face down in front of him, possibly accused of fraud or some other deed. A third man, who kneels behind, has his arms raised, as if asking for mercy. It would have helped if the architect had provided some explanatory text.