Egyptian Dreams

[anneke]

[Sothis]

I fully appreciate that it is far too much to translate full passages of the book and then post them here, nobody would expect this.
Still, if anyone who has read this book could share the main findings and suggestions with us I think everyone will be grateful.

I have only expressed my own opinion to the findings I have read of so far.
The fact that I am as yet reluctant to follow it all does not mean that I want to convince anyone of anything or want to be convinced. It is all about exchange of knowledge and opinions.
I really appreciate that Zivie makes careful suggestions. He is obviously not one who jumps to conclusions, which would not be helpful at all.

[christphe]

since i need time to give informations and it's going to be hard for me to translate since i'm not english and not an egyptologist, i think i can give a few more info.
First Maia is depicted with no family and like alway with Akhenaten succession the impression from the tomb is "how to show without lying but without telling"
On many reliefs she is showing with the chebhiou collars and the modius (once orned with two sollars?)
Her titles are those of "wet nurse" and as Zivie insist it is not a Nany, but a very important lady who act as the mother of the king like goodness Hator.
The tomb is really big and only dedicated to maia. The impression is that the first room with the relief we all know is a coronation room with Maia seated on the king throne (the sema- taouy is part of the chair and not just for tut feet).6 nobles are behind them (two are single out, Ay, Hoemheb?)
The almost lost opposite relief has the 12 nobles (two of them are single out with typical septers and it doesn't ask imagination to see Ay and Horemheb), before them stand (very big) Tut as an adult in the same posture than is gold throne (septers and nubian wig), and standing before him Maia (bigger than the nobles but smaller than the Pharao) unfortunatly the text is lost.
Than we have Maia in front of osiris, isis, nephtis and in a typical hard to follow egyptian mind, she plays the role of isis adressing to osiris as the deceaded King. THe text made it very clear that she says "our horus" like he is her kid. But much more she claims that she acted as dicted by Tut in "apeasing the god's hearts and maintaining the sanctuary stability" in other words she acted like a regent.
Another impression is that their is a emphasis on the erotical aspect of Maia body. In many relief she is depicted like the amarna princess bust from the louvre. She is almost nude and acompaining text insist on her beauty.
Another relief shows her in front 8 young women (like in kerouef tomb) on of them is a princess.
It is mentioned that she had a lot of possessions and her intendant his Rahotep. In fact i think she is said to be superior of the harim (as we know Akhim is an important city for the harem institution and for Tut)

The Meryaton connection is hypothetic. On the well known reliefs from the amarna royal tomb the unknown kid is taken care by a lady identified as Meryaton (J Allen reference) she is wearing no crown at all.
Than we have Mayati (iaty to be understood as aton).
Whoever she was, she is depiceted as a lady seating on the royal throne, honored by the 12 nobles, acting as regent... She wa not only the kind tut beloved nany.

[christphe]

http://history.memphis.edu/murnane/

this is the link to find J allen contribution the the Amarna succession[/url]

[Sothis]

First of all, happy new year to everybody!

And many thanks to Christphe for providing so much and really interesting information.

As Maia seems to have been Superior of the Harim, is there any hint that gives a link to the town of Akhmim? If there is, it would be interesting because then she might be linked to the familiy of Aye.

[Sothis]

Does anybody know if any fragments of human remains or of grave goods have been found among the rubble? What about seals or anything that would give a date?

[Lutz]

[Aset]

Lutz wrote:

[anneke]

I'm puzzled by the way the name is written.
The "t" seems to be associate with the "m".

I had expected the "t" in Maiat to appear at the end.

Are the "t" sounds sometimes silent? (And hence the Maia)

I at first thought it would be Mutia, but anything with "Mut" is written with another glyph.

Any thoughts?

[Lutz]

[christphe]

[img]

from the book[/img]

[christphe]

opposite wall

[img][/img]

[anneke]

Thanks for those!

The image where Maia is wearing the modius is very interesting indeed.

Are there any other instances where a non-royal lady wears one? I can't remember seeing an instance of a non-royal lady wearing a modius, but that doesn't mean there isn't one

[christphe]

striking relief of Maïa echoing the vision of Nefertiti as seen in Ay tomb or the louvre bust

[img][/img]

[Lutz]