Doorkeeper of the House of Amun, Pakherenkhonsu

A stout man, bald and adorned in pleated linens, Pakherenkhonsu, is depicted striding forth with a broom in one hand, showcasing his temple duties as the “Doorkeeper of the House of Amun“. We can presume Pakherenkhonsu’s job consisted of securing the sanctuary, as well as maintaining the surroundings; keeping things tidy and righteous for the deity and priesthood.

Pakherenkhonsu, is depicted like a man of solid stature, you get a sense of him being tall and certainly well-built. The artist seemingly has taken inspiration from life, as Pakherenkhonsu, is shown a little overweight, with belly rolls, and his bust is protruding. His head is bald, perhaps age akin with the lines shown on his face, but likely due to his role in such a sacred sanctuary (priests famously would be clean-shaven).

This delicate freehand drawing is depicted upon the “head-end” of Pakherenkhonsu’s middle coffin box, which was one of three nested anthropoid coffins belonging to Pakherenkhonsu. The remnants of Pakherenkhonsu’s burial were discovered in Pit 1 of Tomb MMA 832, a tomb which originally dated from the 11th Dynasty, but was usurped and continued to be reused by various others through the later ages. The head of the middle coffin of Pakherenkhonsu was also discovered among the debris.

Pakherenkhonsu lived during the 25th Dynasty (c. 750-700 B.C.). For an Egyptian living under the Kushite pharaohs of the 25th Dynasty, life might have seemed both a return to tradition and an encounter with novelty. The Kushite kings, deeply pious and devoted to the Amun cult, poured resources into restoring and embellishing temples neglected during Egypt’s fragmentation. For the Egyptian priesthood, especially the Amun clergy at Thebes, this era offered renewed prestige and prosperity, as the Kushites (being ardent Amun worshippers) lavished them with donations and reinstated rituals that had fallen into disuse. Yet, some priests might have viewed their Nubian overlords with a hint of reservation, recognising both their foreign origins and their genuine commitment to Egyptian spiritual continuity. Thus, the priesthood found itself balancing respect for these devout rulers with subtle reminders of Egypt’s long-standing pride.

Summary:

Drawing of the “Doorkeeper of the House of Amun, Pakherenkhonsu

Third Intermediate Period, 25th Dynasty, c. 750–700 B.C.

From El-Khokha, Pit 1 of Tomb MMA 832, Thebes

Met Museum. 28.3.52