Egypt Museum

Kemsit

Kemsit was an ancient Egyptian queen consort and the wife of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II of the 11th Dynasty. Her titles included “King’s Beloved Wife” (ḥmt-nỉswt mrỉỉ.t=f), “King’s Ornament” (ẖkr.t-nỉswt), “King’s Sole Ornament” (ẖkr.t-nỉswt wˁtỉ.t), and “Priestess of Hathor”.

Her tomb (TT308) and modest ornate chapel were discovered in her husband’s Deir el-Bahari temple complex, behind the main building, alongside the tombs of five other ladies: Ashayet, Henhenet, Kawit, Sadeh, and Mayet. The majority of them were Hathor priestesses, thus they may have been buried there as part of the goddess’ religion, but they could also have been the daughters of nobles.

In this fragmentary relief, Kemsit can be seen depicted at the Temple of Mentuhotep (II) Nebhepetre, at Deir el Bahari.
In this fragmentary relief, Kemsit can be seen depicted at the Temple of Mentuhotep (II) Nebhepetre, at Deir el Bahari.

Queen Kemsit was represented in reliefs at her husband Mentuhotep II’s funeral temple. These images have been extensively ruined, but it appears that she appeared in a scene with a line-up of regal women. On the preserved shards, she is seen behind Queen Kawit. Her title in the illustration is “King’s Beloved Wife”.

It has been proposed that Kemsit may have been of Nubian ancestry, as evidenced by portrayals of her, however, there is no confirmation as of yet, and her mummy thus far, has never been discovered.

In this relief below, Kemsit sniffs an ointment, as a servant (now missing) pours liquid into a cup. The queen’s extravagant clothing is embellished with a feather pattern, which is typically reserved for deities and may be relevant to Kemsit’s status as a Hathor priestess.

This fragment was discovered within the remnants of the Temple of Mentuhotep (II) Nebhepetre, at Deir el Bahari and measures at 41 × 41 × 14 cm.

Relief of Kemsit
British Museum. EA1450

The tombs of Kemsit and four additional women in their twenties and a young girl were discovered; Henhenet, Kawit, Sadeh, Mayet, and Ashayet (tomb DBXI.17). And four of the six of these females held titles indicating their priestly status, as well as being referred to as wives of the king. Given that Hathor revered the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari since the Old Kingdom, the site of their burial is important to their status as Priestesses of Hathor.

The outer decoration of Ashayet's sarcophagus.
The outer decoration of Ashayet’s sarcophagus. Federtyt and Mekhenet, two Medjay ladies, are named and portrayed as belonging to Ashayet’s family in the interior decoration of Ashyet’s sarcophagus, and it is generally proposed that both Kemist and Ashayet were of aristocratic Nubian heritage.

Summary:

Relief of Kemsit
Middle Kingdom, 11th Dynasty, c. 2030-2000 B.C.
From the Temple of Mentuhotep (II) Nebhepetre, at Deir el Bahari
British Museum. EA1450

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