Stele of Nakhtimen
The stele features a concave shape with a bas-relief of Nakhtimen in a kneeling position, adorned with a pleated kilt, wig, and a ‘usekh’ collar. Above him, the goddess Meretseger is depicted as a cobra with a disc and horns. A table of offerings is also present.
The hieroglyphic inscriptions include the names and titles of Nakhtimen, his father Nebre, and the goddess Meretseger. Nakhtimen is identified as a “drawer in the Place of Truth,” a title associated with artists in the royal tombs.
Nakhtimen was a draftsman in Deir el-Medina, a village inhabited by artisans who worked on the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The stele reflects the religious practices of the time, particularly the veneration of Meretseger, the goddess of the Theban necropolis.
Meretseger was an ancient Egyptian cobra goddess revered primarily in the Theban Necropolis, particularly by the artisans of Deir el-Medina who constructed and decorated royal tombs. Her name translates to “She Who Loves Silence,” reflecting her association with the tranquil desert environment.
Depictions of Meretseger are varied. She is often portrayed as a cobra-headed woman, sometimes holding a scepter and adorned with a feathered headdress. Other representations include her as a woman-headed snake or scorpion, a cobra-headed sphinx, or a lion-headed cobra. These images were commonly found on stelae and within royal tombs.
The artisans of Deir el-Medina held Meretseger in high esteem. They believed that by honoring her, they could ensure the protection of their work and the sanctity of the tombs they constructed. Stelae found in the area often depict workers in adoration of Meretseger, seeking her favor and forgiveness.
Meretseger’s dual nature as both a protector and a punisher underscores the ancient Egyptians’ complex relationship with their deities, reflecting themes of justice, repentance, and the sanctity of the afterlife.
New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, ca. 1279-1213 BC. Dimensions: Height: 17.7 cm; Width: 11.4 cm; Thickness: 3.6 cm. Limestone. From Deir el-Medina, Thebes. Now in the Louvre. N 4194
