The large Late Period shaft tombs at Abusir – continuity and change (a case study)

Abstract

The large shaft tombs at Abusir have apparently been constructed during a rather short period of time (cer tainly not exceeding one generation) and, most probably, by one and the same group of architects, workmen and artists. According to the present knowledge, moreover, their owners seem to have been related to each other in some or other way. In spite of that, those structures display a remarkable number of differences in their layout, in the decoration of their burial chambers and even in such a fundamental feature as the orientation of the mummy of the deceased. While some changes in the construction details can easily be explained as an outcome of the growing experience in the building process, other differences (concerning, e.g., variations in the decoration of the burial chambers or the general orientation of the tomb) can only result from a deliberate decision of those who commissioned those monuments (including perhaps their owners as well). The paper enumerates the differences among the large shaft tombs at Abusir and tries to find their motivation.

Keywords

• abusir
• late period
• large shaft tombs
• architecture
• development