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| Map of Hierakonpolis |
The elite cemetery (HK6) at Hierakonpolis served as a burial ground restricted to the elite. The elite cemetery was in use in the Naqada IC-IIB period (3800-3650BC), but was abandoned in Naqada IIC-D (3600-3300BC). HK6 is unique for the number and variety of domestic and wild animals that were interred, singly or in groups, often in graves of their own, but some also accompany human burials. Radiocarbon dates on two of these animals, an elephant (Tomb 33) and an aurochs (Tomb 19), indicate that both were buried at the same time : at some point between 3660 and 3640 BC. Two seeds of Hyoscyamus cf muticus (Egyptian henbane) were identified in the gut content of the Tomb 19 aurochs.
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Most of the pathologies observed on the wild animals at HK6 are healed fractures resulting from violent blows, and a smaller proportion seems to be related to tethering. These conditions indicate that the animals were held in captivity for a prolonged period of time after their capture.
In the Naqada IIC period new cemeteries were established on former settlement area along the edge of the flood plain at HK27 (Fort Cemetery), HK31 (Painted Tomb Cemetery) and HK33.
In the Naqada III period the elite cemetery (HK6) came into use again.
Tomb 72 in the elite cemetery (HK6) is estimated to have been the last tomb around which a large-scale interment of many animals took place.
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| "Hippo" comb from HK6 Tomb 72 at Hierakonpolis |
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| C-Ware bottle, Gebelein (?), Naqada IA-IIB period | Crocodile harpooning one of three hippopotami and the shadow in the Nile River |
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| A man harpooning a hippopotamus in the muzzle and a crocodile on C-Ware bowl, Naqada IA-IIB period |
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| An attacker holding up his stick |
Wall painting from Tomb 100 at Hierakonpolis, ca. 3500-3200 BC
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| A man standing with a leashed young hippopotamus |
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| A man standing outside a house and a stick with a rounded end (?) |
Gebelein painted linen, Gebelein, ca. 3600 BC
The burned house at HK29 in Hierakonpolis features one (once mud, now burnt) brick near the entrance that had been decorated with wavy lines made by the maker’s fingers.
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| Ostracon incised on both sides from HK29 at Hierakonpolis |
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| Gebelein painted linen, Gebelein |
There must have been an attack on Hierakonpolis by Gebelein at some point between 3700 and 3650 BC.
References:
http://www.hierakonpolis-online.org/index.php/nekhen-news
https://ponda.org/object/C-0096
https://ponda.org/object/C-0556
https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/quibell1902bd2/0100/image,info
https://collezioni.museoegizio.it/en-GB/material/S_17138
November 19, 2024 Takahiko Nakagawa