Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt

called “the Mothers of BUCHIS.” NECTANEBO II(r. 360–343
B.C.E.) built on the site. Thirty-six Buchis bulls were
buried there, with their mothers interred nearby.

Buchis (Bukhe) The ancient Egyptian sacred bull
residing in ERMENT (Hermonthis) and buried at the
necropolis of the center, Buchis was considered a THEO-
PHANYor early form of the god MONTU, and then desig-
nated as a manifestation of the Theban deity AMUN. Any
bull selected for the temple ceremonies had to have a
white body and a black head from birth. A cemetery pro-
vided for these animals was called the BUCHEUMand con-
tained COFFINSwith lids weighing up to 15 tons for the
remains. Other tombs were carved out of walls to receive
the animals’ bodies. The Buchis bull was called “the Bull
of the Mountains of Sunrise and Sunset.”

Buhen This was a site between the second and first
cataract of the Nile near WADI HALFA, settled as an out-
post as early as the Second Dynasty (2770–2649 B.C.E.).
This era was marked by fortifications and served as a
boundary of Egypt and NUBIA(modern Sudan) in certain
eras. The New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.) pharaohs
built extensively at Buhen. A Middle Kingdom
(2040–1640 B.C.E.) FORTRESSwas also discovered on the
site, with outer walls for defense, bastions, and two
interior temples, following the normal pattern for such

military structures in Egypt. HATSHEPSUT, the Queen-

Pharaoh (r. 1473–1458 B.C.E.), constructed a temple in

the southern part of Buhen, with a five-chambered sanc-

tuary, surrounded by a colonnade. TUTHMOSIS III(r.

1479–1425 B.C.E.) renovated the temple, enclosing a

complex and adding porticos.

The actual fortress of Buhen was an elaborate struc-

ture, built partly out of rock with brick additions. The

fort was set back from the river, giving way to a rocky

slope. These walls supported external buttresses, which

were designed to turn south and east to the Nile. A ditch

was added for defense, carved out of rock and having

deep sides that sloped considerably and were smoothed

to deter scaling attempts. A gateway in the south wall

opened onto an interior military compound, which also

contained the original temples. AMENHOTEP II (r.

1427–1391 B.C.E.) is credited with one shrine erected

there.

“Building Inscription” A unique text discovered in

ABYDOS and dating to the reign of ’AHMOSE (r.

1550–1525 B.C.E.), this document provides a charming

and romantic scene between ’Ahmose and his consort,

’AHMOSE-NEFERTARI. They are depicted in intimate and

loving conversation, deciding the mortuary arrange-

ments to be made for their grandmother, Queen TETISH-

ERI, and their mother, Queen AH’HOTEP (1). Both of

74 Buchis

(^0) 75 Meters
0 124 Feet

N

Nile River

quays

residential area

block A: residence of

the fort commander

outer enclosure wall

ditch

the

“barbican”

residential

areas

the two

thetwo

riverside gatesriversideriverside gatesgates temple

Plan of the fortress of Buhen