Statue of Satnem
Nestled within the hallowed grounds of Deir el-Medina’s East Cemetery, Tomb 1379 stands as a silent testament to the lives and legacies of its inhabitants. This ancient necropolis, home to the artisans who toiled upon the grandeur of Pharaonic tombs, harbours the remains of Satnem and Nub, figures shrouded in the mystique of Egypt’s storied past.
Deir el-Medina, a village of unparalleled historical significance, flourished during the New Kingdom, its craftsmen labouring on the sepulchres of Theban royalty. Their own final resting places, though more modest in scale, exhibit the same reverence for the afterlife that defined Egypt’s mortuary traditions. Tomb 1379, situated in the cemetery’s elevated terrain where adult burials were favoured, echoes these beliefs through its construction and the treasures it once safeguarded.
Among the artefacts recovered from this tomb, a remarkable acacia wood figure of Satnem now graces the halls of the Louvre Museum in Paris (Catalogue No. E 14319). Dating to the 18th Dynasty, during the illustrious reigns of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, this exquisite statue bears an offering formula—a poignant invocation for sustenance in the afterlife. The craftsmanship speaks volumes of the veneration afforded to Satnem, his effigy a bridge between the mortal and the divine.
Finely carved from durable acacia, a wood favoured for its resilience, the figure exudes an air of solemnity and reverence, embodying the artistry of Deir el-Medina’s master craftsmen. Adorned with an offering formula inscribed upon its surface, the statue served a vital role in funerary rituals, ensuring sustenance and divine favour in the afterlife. Alongside this remarkable piece, other artefacts from Satnem’s tomb—ushabti figurines, painted relief fragments, and ritualistic objects—offer invaluable insights into the spiritual practices of the New Kingdom’s artisan class.
Beyond this striking relic, other funerary goods accompanied the deceased on their eternal voyage. Fragments of painted reliefs, ushabti figurines, and remnants of ritualistic implements hint at the elaborate burial rites practised by Deir el-Medina’s denizens. The presence of such artefacts underscores the enduring faith in an existence beyond death, a belief woven into the very fabric of Egyptian society.
The East Cemetery itself, primarily used for the burials of children, stands as a poignant reminder of mortality’s reach. Yet, among these solemn interments, the graves of esteemed artisans such as Satnem remain, offering modern scholars a glimpse into the aspirations and spiritual convictions of those who shaped Egypt’s eternal monuments.
Tomb 1379, though less renowned than the grand tombs of the Valley of the Kings, remains an invaluable piece of the vast puzzle of Egypt’s mortuary landscape. Each artefact unearthed, each inscription deciphered, brings us closer to understanding the lives of those who, though long passed, continue to whisper their tales through the sands of time.
Acacia Tree
As mentioned, this statue of Satnem is carved from wood of the acacia tree—native to Egypt and the broader regions of North and East Africa. Acacia, a wood known for its durability and resistance to decay, was highly prized by the Ancient Egyptians and frequently used for sacred objects, statues, furniture, and even the construction of boats.
Beyond its practical benefits, acacia held deep spiritual meaning. Often associated with rebirth, protection, and divine presence, it was linked to the goddess Isis and believed to hold magical properties that warded off evil. Some mythological accounts even describe the primordial acacia tree as the source of life itself, reinforcing its sacred stature in Egyptian belief.
Summary:
Statuette of Satnem, carved from Acacia wood
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Hatshepsut-Thutmose III, c. 1480-1425 B.C.
From Tomb 1379, Deir el-Medina
Musée du Louvre. E 14319
