Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt

tion is revealed in level three, with Israelite and Byzantine
remains denoting levels two and three.
Egyptian burials were also found in the Deir el-Balah
necropolis. Exquisite funerary items were discovered in
the graves, including jewelry, carnelian seals, and other
personal objects. On level five there are remains of an
Egyptian fortress.
Deir el-Balah was the farthest outpost in the line of
garrisoned fortresses that composed Egypt’s “WAY O F
HORUS.” These FORTRESSES, with six such sites discovered,
stretched along the Mediterranean coast from Egypt,
through the SINAI, to Deir el-Balah. The Egyptians resid-
ing in these outposts used their own architectural
designs, artistic styles, and mortuary rituals.

Deir el-Ballas Asite some 30 miles north of THEBES,
where the palace complex of the Seventeenth Dynasty
was discovered. TA’OI(r. c. 1640 B.C.E.), or perhaps one
ofthe earlier rulers, constructed the double palace there.
It was used by his successors, TA’OIIand KAMOSE, but the
rulers of the New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.) aban-
doned the site.
An enclosing wall, measuring some 900 by 400 feet,
surrounded a complex of columned halls, courts, audi-
ence chambers, suites, and royal apartments at Deir el-
Ballas. Also included in the complex were silos and
stables, indicating the agricultural interests of the royal
family. The northern palace seems to have served as the
actual royal residence, while the southern building was
used as an administrative center. The southern palace
had a second floor and a remarkable staircase in place. A
village for staff members, workers, and artisans was part
of the northern enclave. Some New Kingdom graves
were also found in Deir el-Ballas. The Seventeenth
Dynasty (1640–1550 B.C.E.) ruled in Thebes as contem-
poraries of the HYKSOS, or Asiatics, who dominated the

Delta. Ta’o II was the Egyptian king who began the war

to achieve Egyptian independence from all alien

invaders.

Deir el-Bersha A site located north of ASSIUT, opposite

MALLAWIatthe Wadi el-Nakhla. A necropolis area, Deir

el-Bersha contains rock-cut tombs of the Twelfth Dynasty

(1991–1783 B.C.E.). The most famous tomb was built for

DJEHUTIHOTEP, who served the rulers of the Twelfth

Dynasty. The tomb contained a columned chapel and a

painted scene of the delivery of a colossal statue from the

nearby HATNUBquarry.

See also EGYPTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES.

Deir el-Durunka A site south of ASSIUT in ancient

Egypt where tombs of NOMARCHSfrom the Nineteenth

Dynasty (1307–1196 B.C.E.) were discovered. The tombs

were noted for their charming reliefs, which depict lush

pastoral scenes, and elaborate statues, all indications of

the high standards of mortuary art during the Ramessid

Period.

Deir el-Gebrawi The site of an Old Kingdom

(2575–2134 B.C.E.) NOMARCH necropolis located near

ASSIUTin Upper Egypt. Deir el-Gebrawi was some dis-

tance from the Nile, which makes its location typical for

that era, when the southern clans used the desert fringes

as necropolis regions. Some 100 tombs were discovered

there, several containing funerary chambers of offerings,

part of the evolving mortuary rituals of the period. Two

groups of rock-cut tombs from the Sixth Dynasty

(2323–2150 B.C.E.) were also found at Deir el-Gebrawi.

Deir el-Medina A village of ancient Egyptian artisans

attached to the New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.)

necropolis at THEBES. It is located on the west bank

between the RAMESSEUMand MEDINET HABU. The site was

called Set-Ma’at when founded by TUTHMOSIS I (r.

1504–1492 B.C.E.) near the original Eleventh Dynasty

(2040–1991 B.C.E.) necropolis. The artisans were for-

merly known as “the SERVITORS OF THE PLACE OF TRUTH,”

the laborers of the tombs in the VALLEYS OF THE KINGSand

QUEENS. Such workers were valued for their skills and

imaginative artistry. In some records these workers were

called “the Servants of the Place of Truth.”

The homes of these artisans had several rooms, with

the workers of higher rank enjoying vestibules and vari-

ous architectural adornments. They also erected elaborate

funerary sites for themselves and their families, imita-

tions of the royal tombs upon which they labored

throughout their entire lives. Small pyramids were fash-

ioned out of bricks, and the interior walls were covered

with splendid paintings and reliefs. The site has provided

scholars with inscribed papyri, ostraka, and elaborate

depictions of everyday life.

Deir el-Medina 9 7

0 50 Meters

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