Beit el-Wali This was a temple site south of ASWAN,
erected by RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) of the Nine-
teenth Dynasty. A detailed account of the pharaoh’s mili-
tary campaigns was inscribed on the walls of this
temple. A narrow court, adorned with reliefs and scenes,
led to the interior chambers. This temple was moved to
another island to save it from the waters of the High
Aswan Dam.
Beit Khallaf A site on the western shore of Nile near
AKHMIN, Old Kingdom (2575–2134 B.C.E.) tombs at
Beit Khallaf contained seals and mortuary effects bear-
ing the name of DJOSER(r. 2630–2611 B.C.E.) and NEBKA
(r. 2649–2630 B.C.E.). The territory was a necropolis
for the Third Dynasty (2649–2575 B.C.E.). A brick
MASTABA was also found on the site, with ground-
level and subterranean chambers. The seals of KHUFU
(Cheops, r. 2551–2520 B.C.E.) were discovered in the
lower sections.
Bekhen Quarry Map This is a remarkable geological
document that dates to the reign of RAMESSES IV
(1163–1156 B.C.E.), called the oldest surviving geological
map in the world. A scribe, Amennakhte, was the author
of this text, which is contained in a papyrus scroll that is
at least six feet long and 16 inches wide. Interior seg-
ments are missing, as well as segments at one end.
This quarry map was found at DEIR EL-MEDINAand is
in the Egyptian Museum at Turin, Italy. The map traces
routes through the desert to the WADI HAMMAMATand
delineates wells and temples. The map also describes the
types of stone available in the region, such as schist and
pink granite. The Bekhen area was mountainous and had
seams of gold as well. Two sites are listed as “mountains
of gold.” Wadi Hammamat began at Kaptan and was a
dried riverbed. Recent comparisons of the map and the
actual geological formations in the Eastern Desert docu-
ment the map’s accuracy.
See also EGYPTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES.
Bekhtan’s Princess See BENTRESH STELA.
benben (pyramidion) The ancient Egyptian insignia
kept in the shrine of the god RÉat HELIOPOLISand incor-
porating the pyramidal symbol with the rays of the sun,
this sign evoked the concept of resurrection and was also
considered the personification of the god ATUM. Ré was
associated with the benben in his cultic rites, and the
symbol was an influence on the builders of the massive
pyramids of the Old Kingdom. As such, the pyramids,
gigantic benbens,served as stages for rituals and com-
memorative ceremonies that inspired Egyptians in all
periods. The benbenwas the PRIMEVAL MOUND, the first to
catch the rays of the sun as caps on pyramids.
Benha (Banha) A site on the right bank of the DAMI-
ETTA(1) branch of the Nile in the Delta northwest of
modern Cairo, Benha was a center for the production of
HONEYand cotton.Beni Hasan (Menat-Khufu) A site north of HER-
MOPOLIS MAGNA which was a NOMEstronghold in the
First Intermediate Period (2134–2040 B.C.E.) and in the
Twelfth Dynasty (1991–1783 B.C.E.), the tombs of the
nomarchs of the Middle Kingdom (2040–1640 B.C.E.)
were discovered in the upper range of the Oryx nome
necropolis area there, all having elaborate chambers,
columns, and offering chapels, with elegant vestibules.
Some 39 tombs were found. Almost 900 burials from the
Sixth Dynasty (2323–2150 B.C.E.) to the First Intermedi-
ate Period (2134–2040 B.C.E.) are in the lower cemetery,
now stripped of decorations. Thirty-nine Middle King-
dom TOMBSwere also erected on a bluff at Beni Hasan,
but only 12 were decorated. The style of this age
employed a false door and lotus bud columns. Some
burial shafts were also used, as well as columned ante-
chambers. Paintings depict the gods ANUBISand OSIRISin
the tombs, as well as militaryevents, mythical animals,
and daily routines.
Noted tombs include those of Kheti, BAKHT,
KHNUMHOTEP(1), and others. These are famous for paint-
ings of historical events in the area and provide biograph-
ical details of these Middle Kingdom officials. HATSHEPSUT
(r. 1473–1458 B.C.E.) started the unique shrine located
just to the south of Beni Hasan. The Greeks named it the
SPEOS ARTEMIDOSand it is now called stabl antar,the Sta-
ble of Antar. The temple on the site was completed by
SETI I (r. 1306–1290 B.C.E.), and it was dedicated to
PAKHET, the lion goddess. The modern name of the site,
Beni Hasan al-Shurruq, is derived from an Arabic tribe
that settled in the region in the 18th century. Quality
limestone is plentiful in the cliffs of the area.Benimeryt(fl. 15th century B.C.E.)Official of the Eigh-
teenth Dynasty
He served TUTHMOSIS III(r. 1479–1425 B.C.E.) as the royal
architect and a director of public works. Benimeryt was
involved in Tuthmosis III’s building projects in Upper and
Lower Egypt, and especially at THEBES. He also served as
an overseer of the royal treasury. Much honored for his
skills, this official was given the title of Tutor of Princess
Merit-Amun, an honorary post held by officials in the
capital.Bennu (Bnr, Bnrt) The PHOENIX-like bird of ancient
Egyptian legends and religious mythology that was shel-
tered in the PERSEA TREEin HELIOPOLIS, the solar and
Osirian cults used the bird in their cultic ceremonies as a
symbol of resurrection. The eggs of the Bennu bird, actu-
ally created by priests out of precious spices, were68 Beit el-Wali