Natron Lakes They were series of water deposits in
the WADI NATRUN, near modern Cairo. The Wadi Natrun
served as a source of NATRON, a major element in the
embalming processes of MORTUARY RITUALSin all times of
ancient Egypt.
natural resources See EGYPTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES.
Naukratis (el-Nigrash, Kom Gi’eif) This is a site on
the Canopic branch of the Nile in the western Delta, the
modern Kom Gi’eif. The site originated in the Twenty-
sixth Dynasty as the result of the trading privileges that
PSAMMETICHUS I(r. 664–610 B.C.E.) gave Greek mer-
chants, mostly Milesians, including permission to estab-
lish a trade center at Naukratis. AMASIS(r. 575–526 B.C.E.)
granted these Greeks a series of trade monopolies during
his reign, further enhancing Naukratis. The city was actu-
ally founded c. 630 B.C.E., and the name of the site meant
“ship power.” Temples were erected to Greek deities and
to the Egyptian gods AMUNand THOTH. Naukratis flour-
ished until ALEXANDER III THE GREAT(r. 332–323 B.C.E.)
founded the new capital of ALEXANDRIA.
Greek silver and Greek slaves were popular wares in
Naukratis, and courtesans, taverns, and other amuse-
ments were plentiful. Coins minted in Naukratis aided in
modernizing Egypt’s financial system, and the Greeks
conducted a large SCARABindustry in the city, becoming
adept at producing a variety of fetish tokens and amulets.
Recovered deity figures and pottery provide information
about Greek imports and trade systems in the city.
See also EGYPT; TRADE.
Nauri Decree A document issued by SETI I (r.
1306–1290 B.C.E.) in the fourth year of his reign, this
decree was promulgated on behalf of the workers at
Osiris’s holy city of ABYDOS, where the king was in the
process of constructing his great mortuary complex. The
Nauri Decree incorporated prior legal codes, particularly
the laws of HOREMHAB(r. 1319–1307 B.C.E.), serving as a
charter for the temple and for its various estates, and it
was designed to ensure the maintenance of the king’s
mortuary cult after his death. The workers were subject
to a stern code of behavior while they built the tomb,
with penalties for crimes clearly delineated.
The decree points to a troubled time during Seti I’s
reign that reflected earlier dynastic weaknesses. Normally,
workers on the mortuary complexes of the rulers would
not have required warnings or threats in order to regulate
their behavior. Construction sites of early periods were
deemed places of spirituality and dedication. In this
period, however, conformity to the ideals of the nation
had partially lessened and the impact of the mortuary rit-
uals had declined. Severe physical punishments were
included in this code. Certain crimes brought the punish-
ment of 100 blows by a lash, the creation of five open
wounds, the removal of a criminal’s nose, or exile to the
LIBYAN DESERTor beyond.neb (1) An Egyptian symbol, it represents the act of
obeisance or prostration performed by people before a
ruler or the image of a deity.neb (2) A hieroglyph translated as the word all,it was
used on AMULETSand ANKH insignias to denote unity
under the pharaoh and the gods.Nebamun (1)(fl. 14th century B.C.E.) Theban police
official of the Eighteenth Dynasty, possibly a Medjay
He served TUTHMOSIS IV(r. 1401–1391 B.C.E.) and AMEN-
HOTEP III(r. 1391–1353 B.C.E.) as a commander of the
Theban police force. Nebamun was probably a MEDJAY, a
member of the mercenary unit that served the New King-
dom (1550–1070 B.C.E.) pharaohs in military campaigns.
In times of peace the Medjay served as POLICEunits in the
capital and major cities. Nebamun was buried in THEBES.
His STELAdepicts Queen NEBETU’U(2),a lesser-ranked
consort of TUTHMOSIS III(r. 1479–1425 B.C.E.).Nebamun (2)(fl. 14th century B.C.E.) Official royal
court sculptor of the Eighteenth Dynasty
He served AMENHOTEP III(r. 1391–1353 B.C.E.) as a sculp-
tor and was held in high esteem for his contributions to
the ongoing building projects of the ruler. Nebamun’s
tomb was erected on the western shore of THEBESnear
DEIR EL-BAHRIand was shared with a fellow artist, IPUKI.Nebamun (3)(fl. 13th century B.C.E.) Royal vizier of
the Nineteenth Dynasty
He served SETI I (r. 1306–1290 B.C.E.) as VIZIER,a
demanding role as Seti I was revitalizing the nation and
bringing stability to the land. Nebamun was buried on
the western shore of THEBESwith royal honors in grati-
tude for his loyalty and services to the throne.Nebemakhet(fl. 25th century B.C.E.)Princely vizier of
the Fourth Dynasty
The son of KHAFRE(r. 2520–2494 B.C.E.) and Queen
MERYSANKH(3), Nebemakhet did not succeed his father
but became a priest for the royal cult. His tomb was built
in the royal cemetery, and he is depicted in his mother’s
rock-cut tomb in GIZA. He is also recorded as serving for a
time as vizier for MENKAURÉ(r. 2490–2472 B.C.E.). Nebe-
makhet’s tomb is noted for paintings depicting jewelry
workers of the era, already capable of using a variety of
metals and gemstones.Nebenteru (Ter)(fl. 13th century B.C.E.)Priestly offi-
cial of the Nineteenth Dynasty
He served both SETI I(r. 1306–1290 B.C.E.) and RAMESSES
II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) as high priest of AMUN. NebenteruNebenteru 263