Old Kingdom
ca. 2425-2350 B.C.E.
Limestone
29 3/4 x 11 x 16 9/16 in. (75.5 x 28 x 42 cm)
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Brooklyn Museum
Irukaptah, the Butcher
Irukaptah was a 5th dynasty dignitary, described variously as the Head of the Butchers of the Great House, the Waab Priest of the King, and the Superintendent of the Granary. His tomb, cut into the rock wall near Saqqara, is located near the causeway of Unas (also spelled Unis), the last pharaoh of the fifth dynasty, Old Kingdom. Irukaptah's tomb is probably best known for ten vividly painted relief sculptures of Irukaptah and his relatives; all of whom were buried alongside Irukaptah.
The Tomb of Irukaptah was reported extensively by Annette S. McFarlane, as part of her 2001 monograph on The Unis Cemetery at Saqqara.
Sources and Further Information
- About.com's Guide to Ancient Egypt
- Saqqara
- TourEgypt has an extensive illustrated feature describing Irukaptah's tomb.
- Egypt Photos has a number of photos of Irukaptah's tomb.
McFarlane, A.S. 2000. The Unis Cemetery at Saqqara. Australian Centre for Egyptology 15.
From February 12 through May 2, 2010, the Brooklyn Museum will present an exhibition of Egyptian artifacts, called To Live Forever. The exhibition features part of the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund collection, which were taken from tombs dated between the Old Kingdom through the Roman period. This photo essay is built from photos provided by Brooklyn Museum.
