Statue of Ramessesnakht and the Theban Triad

Ramessesnakht is donating a statue of the Theban family, Amun is seated in the middle of the little group wearing tall feathers on his flat topped crown, to his left his wife the goddess Mut with a special tall crown and their son Khonsu sitting at his father’s right.

Ramessesnakht served as High Priest of Amun from the reigns of Ramesses IV until that of Ramesses IX. While in office, the High Priest Ramessesnakht personally led a massive mining expedition to the rock quarries of Wadi Hammamat in Year 3 of Ramesses IV which consisted of 8,368 men alone including 5,000 soldiers, 2,000 personnel of the Amun temples, 800 Apiru and 130 stonemasons and quarrymen.

Statue of Ramessesnakht holding the Theban Triad
Statue of Ramessesnakht holding the Theban Triad

This was recorded on a rock cut stela. He secured gold and galena (for eye paint) under Ramesses VII and IX. He was the son of Meribastet, steward to the king. Ramessesnakht was married to Adjedet-Aat, the daughter of Setau, High Priest of Nekhbet, and had at least two sons: Amenhotep and Nesamun and a daughter Tamerit. His son Amenhotep would succeed him in office and there is evidence that, at least for a while, his son, the Second Prophet of Amun Nesamun also acted as High Priest of Amun.

As High Priest, Ramessesnakhte personally led a massive mining expedition to the rock quarries of Wadi Hammamat in Year 3 of Ramesses IV. According to a rock-cut stele recording the event, the expedition consisted of 8,368 men alone; including 5,000 soldiers, 2,000 personnel of the Amun temples, 800 Apiru and 130 stonemasons and quarrymen. Ramessesnakhte also secured gold and galena (for eye paint) under Ramesses VII and IX.

Statue of Ramessesnakht holding the Theban Triad
Statue of Ramessesnakht holding the Theban Triad

New Kingdom, 20th Dynasty, Ramesside Period, ca. 1189-1077 BC. Schist statue with a calcite base. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 37186