The False Doors of Hershefnakht, Nyankhanty and Senetites

Abstract: This study concerns the false doors of Hershefnakht, Nyankhanty and Senetites that are currently on display in the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm. None of these doors has received much attention in the past, and certainly not their own dedicated study. Previously, these doors have only been roughly dated, and the status of their owners in society were practically unknown. This study seeks to narrow down the dating of these false doors and to more precisely make a judgement on their owners’ social standing within society. To more precisely date the false doors, relevant features are presented together with relevant information concerning the characteristic in question. As such, a more precise date is built from the various relevant elements of the door. The false doors are translated with appropriate commentary on the short texts. The most important parts of these texts are the titles and through comparisons to other holders of the same titles and discussion of what is known about these titles; a judgement of their social status is made. In the end, Hershefnakht’s and Senetites’ doors can be dated to, at earliest, the reign of Pepy II though their latest possible date is more difficult to establish with any certainty. Nyankhanty’s false door can be dated, at earliest to King Nyuserre Ini’s reign with the latest possible date being the end of the 5th dynasty. Due to only having a single title, Hershefnakht’s social standing is somewhat uncertain and it would be possible to both over- and underplay his status. On the other hand, Nyankhanty’s status can be established with more certainty and it seems he was a high-ranking priest and a commander of a force of men. Senetites can quite easily be placed in or close to the court, but the position therein is more difficult to define.