The Polychrome Hieroglyph Research Project

Université Libre de Bruxelles - Faculté de Philosophie et Sciences sociales

This page displays details of the selected Monument. Click on the Monument number to list all individual signs ("occurrences") recorded from that object or structure.

Mon. 49


Monument : Userhat TT.56 yellow background
Period : Dynasty XVIII
Reign(s) : Amenhotep II
High Date : 1427
Low Date : 1400
Monument type : Private Tomb
Localisation or provenance : Sheikh Abd el-Gurna
References : PM I, 1, 111-113; Photos Nunn.

Userhat was “Royal scribe and child of the nursery”. His tomb is unusual in having two distinct styles of polychrome hieroglyphs. Canonical texts adorn the walls of the outer chamber, whereas the door jambs and lintel leading into the inner chamber have polychrome hieroglyphs in high relief on a golden yellow background (PM I, 1, 112). To avoid confusion of the two styles, a separate monument (Mon.48) has been created in the database. The texts contain Htp-di-nsw offering formulae dedicated to the gods Amon-Rê, Rê-Horakhty, Osiris, Anubis and Hathor. The golden background probably reflects the high status of the divinities. Although the background colour is strong, no attempt has been made to alter the canonical colours in order to increase the legibility, as is found later in certain Dynasty XIX-XX inscriptions. The high relief evidently provides the necessary contrast. As in Mon.48, black has deteriorated quite considerably. Blue and green have faded and are in some cases difficult to differentiate.