The rock-cut tomb of Sirenput I at Qubbet al-Hawa. Near Aswan, Egypt

Object Details

Local Numbers: Negative number 62235 C-19, 8.
General: Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
Local Note: Typed index card reads, "T 6 Egy. Egypt. Elephantine Island. Reliefs at tomb of Sirenput I, overseer of the prophets of Khumn. XII Dyn. 3/1961. EE. neg.no. 62235 C-19, 8." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.

Topic: Works of art in situ; Cultural landscapes; Monuments; Architecture -- Egypt

See more items in: Eliot Elisofon Field collection; Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Egypt

Archival Repository: Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

Type: Archival materials; Negatives (photographic); Black-and-white negatives; Negatives

Collection Citation: Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Collection Rights: Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Scope and Contents: "Qubbet al-Hawa ('Dome of the Wind') takes its name from a small domed structure on the summit of a hill on the western bank of the Nile. Below, the cliff is honeycombed with tombs hewn out of the rock about half way up the elevation facing the river. The group of Old Kingdom tombs (2686-2181B.C.) lie on the lower level. Of the Middle Kingdom tombs (c. 1980-1920B.C.) the tomb of Sirenput I, governor of Elephantine in the reign of Senusert I (1972-1928 B.C.) is the most noteworthy. Sirenput's seated relief figure is carefully engraved in fine quality limestone at the entrance to a spacious court. To the rear is an arcade of six rock-hewn pillars, each of the four faces of which bear further representations of the governor with religious formulae inscribed above him. On the rear wall is a large relief showing Sirenput followed by his sandal-bearer and two dogs hunting in the marsh. Cattle are brought to him and, to the right, he is depicted in a colonade with his wife, mother, and two daughters. A central doorway leads into a small hall with four pillars, the walls of which originally bore paintings on a stucco base." [Kamil Jill, 1993: Aswan and Abu Simbel, History and Guide. The American University in Cairo Press]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was working on "The Nile" project and traveled to Africa from March 14, 1961 to March 31, 1961, visiting Egypt.

Collection Restrictions: Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.