Identification
| Title | Sarcophagus of Merenptah reused by Psusennes I |
| Type | Astronomical Representation |
| EAT3 Number and Name | 30 Psusennes |
| EAT3 Pages and Plates | 14-16, 151-152, Pl 16A |
| EAT3 Decan List Family | Misc |
| Publications | Montet (1951) |
| Location |
Egyptian Museum, Cairo, in the central sculpture hall. Lid is labelled 6337B. JE 87297.2; SR 3/11183.2 (the .2 indicates the lid) Originally in the Valley of the Kings in the tomb of Merenptah (KV 8), then moved to Tanis for the burial of Psusennes I. |
| Date | 21st dynasty |
Content
| Registers | 2 |
| Circumpolar Group and Deities | Yes: 11 figures behind hippo; 10 opposite |
| Planets |
Superior: Jupiter, Saturn, Mars (plus Jupiter again) Inferior: Mercury, Venus |
| Decan Names | Yes, although some of the figures have no name |
| Decanal Stars | No |
| Personifications of the Decans | No |
| Cluster Numbers | No |
| Depictions of Decanal Constellations | Yes |
| Decanal Deity Names | Yes |
| Decanal Deity Figures | Yes |
| Lunar Months | No |
| Civil Months | No |
| Nut | Yes, outstretched in the middle of the lid. |
Notes
This representation is carved into the lid of a red granite sarcophagus. The orientation of the figures is unusual, in that their feet are towards Nut and their heads are towards the edge of the coffin.
Schematic
| Legend for Schematic | |
|---|---|
| C | Circumpolar group of constellations |
| A | Circumpolar attendant deities |
| D | Decans |
| P | Planets |
| N | The sky-goddess Nut |
| X | Other cosmic deities: parts of the Amduat (2nd and 3rd hours) |
 |
Location and orientation of the circumpolar hippo |
 |
Indicates the starting point and directionality of list or procession of figures |
Decan List
The list gives an approximate layout for how the decans, deities, and decanal figures (in bold) are arranged. However, the only way of perceiving the complete layout and orthography of the labels is by consulting photographs, drawings, or the original. For conventions and abbreviations, see below the table.
This decan list is unique. Many names are missing. The layout is clear moving towards the "astronomical procession" format, but the northern attendant deities are still present here. tpy-a spdt, which does not appear in any other astronomical representation (but does appear in diagonal star tables and astronomical processions), is also included here.
|
Seth (first figure in a barque) |
||
|
Isis, <Nephthys> |
Two human-headed goddesses (second and third figures in the same barque) |
|
|
Seth (fourth figure in the same barque) |
||
| xnt<t> Hr<t> | Mummiform god | |
|
Isis |
Sheep with 3 stars |
|
| - | Jackal-headed mummiform god | |
| <xntw> Xr<w> | Mummiform god | |
| <xntw> Hr<w> | Mummiform god | |
| - | Kebehsenuf | Falcon-headed mummiform god |
| (unreadable label) | Jackal-headed mummiform god | |
| - | <Kebeh>senuf | Falcon-headed mummiform god |
| rmn Xry sAH | Sahu | |
| sAH | Osiris | |
| tpy-a spdt | Goddess with star on her head | |
| spdt | Isis | Sopdet |
| SP1 Hr-wpS-tAwy pt rs | Planet | |
|
SP2 Hr-kA-pt |
Planet | |
|
SP3 Hr-Axty |
Planet | |
|
SP1 Hr-wpS-tAwy |
Planet | |
| Duamutef, Hapy | Jackal- and baboon-headed mummiform gods, Turtles | |
| nsrw | Imseti | Mummiform god |
| - | Kebehsenuf | Falcon-headed mummiform god |
| - | Falcon-headed mummiform god | |
| - | Falcon-headed mummiform god | |
| - | Falcon-headed mummiform god | |
| - | Seth | Seth-headed mummiform god |
| IP2 sbA DA |
Osiris | Benu |
The decan numbers and letters are not assigned as this list does not fall readily into any grouping.
SP = superior planet
IP = inferior planet
< > = omitted but understood
( ) = explanatory notes or additional material