Surgical Techniques of the Pharaohs: Uncovered Secrets

ABYDOS  . PART ( 1 )

Abydos, an ancient Egyptian city situated 11 kilometers west of the Nile River, stands as a treasure trove of history and archaeology. Serving as a gateway to a civilization often hailed as the cradle of ancient Egypt, it invites visitors on a captivating journey through the epochs of pharaonic splendor.

History of Abydos

Abydos is known as the “City of Osiris,” the god of the underworld, Abydos and was considered a major religious center by the ancient Egyptians. It was first opened to visitors in the 19th century, Civilization and the site became a center for archaeological excavations and the discovery of the secrets of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Abydos's allure stems from various factors. Firstly, it boasts rich traditions, both religious and historical. Secondly, it showcases remarkable artistic achievements from the early 19th Dynasty, prominently displayed in the grand temples of Seti I and Ramses II. Of the two temples, Seti I's temple stands out, showingcasing exemplary craftsmanship.

Abydos: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Egypt

Egyptian history

Moreover, Abydos lays claim to a far more significant aspect of Egyptian history

 The possession of royal tombs dates back to the earliest dynasties. Despite their lack of visual appeal and absence from tourist itineraries, these tombs hold immense historical importance. Visitors must recognize that while Abydos's artistic significance is notable, it pales in comparison to its role as the final resting place of the great Pharaohs from the earliest dynasties. Additionally, Abydos served as the primary "holy city" of Egypt for a significant period.

 

The royal tombs of Abydos may seem unremarkable at first glance, to the extent that Karl Baedeker dismisses them in merely six lines. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the discoveries within these tombs have contributed more to the reconstruction of early dynastic history than any other archaeological endeavor in Egypt.

Abydos: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Egypt

Abydos: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Egypt

dynastic history than any other archaeological endeavor in Egypt.

 

The early kings of Egypt, as recorded by Manetho, were associated with the city of This or Thinis, a location often identified with the village of El-Birba near Girga in the Sohag Governorate. However, Thinis likely stood in close proximity to Abydos, with both cities sharing significant historical and religious ties. While Thinis held secular importance, Abydos gradually gained prominence due to its religious significance.

 

During the earliest periods of Egyptian history, the capital resided not in Abydos but in Hieraconpolis and later in Memphis. However, the practice of royal burial at Abydos or Thinis persisted throughout the 1st and 2nd Dynasties. This tradition continued until the emergence of pyramid-building during the 3rd and 4th Dynasties, which shifted the focus of royal interment.

 

The reverence for Abydos as the resting place of the earliest historic Pharaohs intensified over time, fueled by a burgeoning religious tradition. The site of Thinis and Abydos, situated near the village of El-Araba el-Madfuna, comprises the ruins of Thinis to the northwest and the temenos of Osiris, enclosed by high walls of crude brick, with the Sacred Lake lying to the east. Beyond these structures, toward the desert, lies the Middle Kingdom section of the vast Abydos necropolis.

Abydos: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Egypt

Abydos: A Historical Overview

Notable among the ruins is the "Shunet el-Zebib," an ancient fortress from the earliest dynastic period, with walls standing over 40 feet tall and dimensions of about 400 feet by 200 feet. Adjacent to it is another early fortress repurposed as a Coptic monastery.

 

The significance of Abydos as a sacred site and burial ground underscores its pivotal role in shaping ancient Egyptian history and religious beliefs, a legacy that continues to fascinate historians and archaeologists to this day.

Abydos: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Egypt

Upon nearing El-Araba el-Madfuna, the next significant features include an Old Kingdom sector of the necropolis, followed by the temple of Ramses II. Further south lies the attraction that draws tourists—the grand temple of Seti I, surrounded by a New Empire burial ground.

 

Yet, the true heart of the ancient necropolis lies southwest of Seti's temple, nestled between it and the desert cliffs. Here, two modest mounds of reddish hue, primarily consisting of shattered votive vessels, mark the resting places of early Egyptian kings. These pots, placed by devout followers of later eras, served as personal offerings to Osiris, the deity of death and rebirth, believed by worshipers to have been interred in this sacred space.

 

This revered necropolis stands as the final abode of Egypt's earliest dynastic Pharaohs, arguably holding the utmost historical significance among all Egyptian sites.

Flinders Petrie describes the setting as "wild and silent," with towering hills enclosing the area on two sides, while a ravine ascends into the plateau from the meeting point of the lines. From this vantage point, one can gaze upon the expansive green valley of the Nile below, stretching into the distant eastern cliffs.

 

In 1897, the Mission Émile Amélineau commenced excavations at this site, leading to the remarkable discovery of the royal tombs belonging to the 1st and 2nd Dynasties. Amélineau's bold assertion that the tomb of King Djer (or Zer), Temple of Ramses one of the earliest Pharaohs from the 1st Dynasty, might be the actual resting place of Osiris, initially faced skepticism. Despite recent attempts to revive this idea, Amélineau eventually discontinued the excavations, which had been somewhat haphazard. Nevertheless, his efforts significantly raised awareness of the royal tombs.

 

Subsequent to Amélineau's work, Sir Flinders Petrie continued excavations at Abydos, yielding invaluable insights into Egypt's earliest dynastic culture. The necropolis of Abydos has since been subject to further exploration led by Dr. Édouard Naville and Professor Thomas Eric Peet.

 

Despite the substantial archaeological findings and their profound implications for understanding ancient Egyptian civilization, Abydos may not appeal to casual tourists. Known as Um el-Qa'âb (or Um el-Ga'ab), meaning "Mother of Pots" due to its abundance of broken pottery, the site holds little allure for conventional visitors. Yet, for those able to envision its ancient past, Abydos remains a captivating landscape. The royal tombs, including those of Narmer, Aha, Zer, Khasti, and Khasekhemui, with its ancient stone chamber, offer glimpses into a distant epoch, albeit now concealed beneath layers of debris.

Abydos: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Egypt

Abydos: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Egypt

Abydos: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Egypt

From Abydos's early royal connections, we now delve into its associations with ancient divinity, a link that might have been intertwined from the outset. Historically, the primary deity of Thinis and Abydos was the venerable jackal-god Wepwawet, also known as Upuat. He earned the epithet "The Opener of the Ways" and served as the guide of the departed, a role inspired by the jackal's nocturnal ventures near desert cemeteries.

 

Initially, Wepwawet was honored with a modest mud-brick temple at the site later designated as the precinct of Osiris. However, his prominence waned relatively early as more significant deities emerged to take center stage.

Abydos: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Egypt

With the ascendancy of the 3rd Dynasty and the emergence of new ideologies, Abydos lost its status as the primary royal burial ground. However, the enduring presence of a venerable and ancient tradition of royal interment ensured that Abydos remained revered as the principal center for the worship of the gods of the dead. Gradually, the deity Wepwawet was supplanted by Khenti-Amentiu, also known as “The First of the Westerners,” who received a temple at Abydos. It is believed that Khufu, commonly referred to as Cheops and renowned as the architect of the Great Pyramid of Giza, might have been associated with this deity, evidenced by the discovery of an ivory statuette at the site.

 

Despite Khenti-Amentiu's initial prominence, his supremacy was short-lived, as he was quickly overtaken by a cult that would establish itself as one of the most significant in Egyptian history. This cult, which persisted throughout the Pharaonic era, became emblematic of Egyptian religious practices and beliefs.

 

The cult of Osiris, originally linked to the Delta region, particularly the city of Tet or Dadu, known as Busiris in Greek, underwent a significant transformation. Initially perceived as a fearsome deity presiding over a realm of dread, Osiris gradually shed this ominous reputation. Instead, he became the central figure in a renowned tradition that portrayed him as the inaugural king of Egypt and the benefactor who imparted invaluable knowledge to his people.

 

Given the association of Abydos with the burial grounds of the earliest dynasties, it seemed fitting for Osiris, the legendary first king, to be connected with this sacred site. Consequently, the cult of Osiris found a foothold in Abydos and gained popularity over time. Eventually, Osiris became synonymous with Khenti-Amentiu and eventually supplanted the older god of the dead. Even in the early Pyramid Texts, Osiris assumed the title of "First of the Westerners." This evolution solidified Osiris's position as a central figure in Egyptian religious beliefs and practices.

The Isis and Osiris Myth

The Osiris myth recounts the tragic tale of the virtuous king who was murdered and dismembered, with different cities in Egypt claiming the honor of housing parts of the god's body. Abydos eventually asserted its claim as the burial place for the head of Osiris. The process by which the tomb of King Djer, a Pharaoh from the 1st Dynasty, was chosen as the sacred resting place for this relic remains unknown. However, by at least the 5th Dynasty, this claim gained widespread recognition, leading to Thinis being universally known as Abodu, or "The Mound of the Osiris-Head Emblem," offering the Greeks a natural equivalent for their familiar name of Abydos.

As early as the 6th Dynasty, devout Egyptians expressed a fervent desire to be buried as close as possible to the tomb of Osiris, the great god of resurrection, within the Abydos necropolis. If circumstances prevented burial proximity, efforts were made to ensure that the deceased's body made a pilgrimage to Abydos after death, thereby claiming the sanctity associated with Osiris' abode. If this privilege was denied, memorial steles were erected in the necropolis to keep the memory of the departed close to the god. Additionally, votive pots were regularly added to the accumulating mass around the royal tombs, symbolizing reverence and devotion to Osiris and the afterlife.

The Pharaohs, despite no longer considering Abydos as the primary royal burial ground, supported the growing reverence that was transforming Abydos into the most sacred location in Egypt. Archaeological excavations have revealed that numerous monarchs of the Old Kingdom contributed to the construction of the vast temple complex within the sacred precinct of Osiris. Neferirkare, from the 5th Dynasty, issued decrees granting exemptions to the priests of Abydos, underscoring the significance of the religious practices and rituals conducted within this revered site. 

Senusret III, renowned for his military prowess during the Middle Kingdom, chose Dahshur for his pyramid but also established a cenotaph at Abydos, where he carved a great rock-tomb, possibly serving as his temporary resting place before his interment in the pyramid. Two officials, Ikhernofret and Sisatet, oversaw the work at Abydos. Ikhernofret, in particular, enthusiastically described his mission to adorn the temple of Osiris with gold captured during Senusret's Nubian campaign and to carve a new statue of the god. He participated fervently in the local passion-play, depicting the conflict and triumph of Osiris, offering valuable insights into Osirianism. The kings of the 12th Dynasty continued to patronize Abydos.

With the beginning of the 19th Dynasty, Abydos reached the peak of its power and wealth. Ramses I, Seti I, and Ramses II dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to honoring Osiris in his grand sanctuary. The contributions made by Seti and his son Ramses II were particularly magnificent, as we shall soon explore.

From this time onwards, the Osiris tradition completely dominates one aspect of Egyptian religion, the one that has captivated the world as the most quintessentially Egyptian belief. Wepwawet, Khenti-Amentiu, Unnofre, and all other gods associated with the dead and the underworld are now either merged with Osiris or subservient to him. Throughout the remainder of Egyptian religious history, Osiris's supremacy is so absolute that it becomes customary to equate every deceased individual with him, referring to them as "The Osiris Blank," akin to how we might speak of "The late So-and-So "

As Egypt's power waned, so did the scale of royal offerings to the Temple of Osiris, mirroring the decline seen in other temples across the land, although Ramses III made notable contributions to Abydos. During the reign of Ahmose II of the 26th Dynasty, it was discovered that the local court had been misappropriating the temple's assets. In response, the Pharaoh dispatched his chief physician, Pefnefdineit, who was also a priest, to rectify the situation. Pefnefdineit, as recounted in the inscription on his statue now housed in the Louvre Museum, Paris, seized the property of the guilty local baron, citing Osiris's desire for the city's proper provisioning. He concluded his actions by participating in the passion-play, echoing the actions of Ikhernofret thirteen centuries earlier.

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The multitude of names and forms associated with Osiris complicates the study of this deity. I have attempted to highlight only a few of his various manifestations:

- Osiris as the Sun god.

- Osiris as the Moon god.

- Osiris as the deity of vegetation.

- Osiris as the god of the Nile.

- Osiris as the god and judge of the dead.

- Osiris as the god of Sacrifices.

Osiris in the Sed-festival (also known as Heb Sed or Feast of the Tail).

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