Kha and Merit's Tomb (Non-Royal) Flashcards
Who were Kha and Merit?
Kha was the overseer of works from Deir el-Medina in the mid-18th Dynasty and Merit was his wife.
Merit’s Beauty Box
Source of insight into Merit’s daily life as a wooden box containing the cosmetics she likely applied daily, including a kohl tube and several unidentified products.
Possible indication that she cared about her appearance.
Kha’s Profession
Kha worked in the Valley of the Kings, a craftsman who built elaborate tombs for royals such as Amenhotep II, Thutmose IV, and Amenhotep III, who he worked under.
He began as a carpenter but eventually became a reputable royal architect and overseer.
Kha’s Copper Chisels
Kha’s tomb contained the copper chisels he likely used in his daily work.
Merit’s Ring
Merit’s coffin contained a ring with the cow of Hathor, a symbol to provide fertility and safe childbirth during life and passage to the afterlife during death.
Bread
A diet staple, especially to the working class, Kha was paid in grain and Merit likely spent a portion of her days baking loaves of bread. Therefore, over fifty loaves were found in their tomb.
Kha’s Cubit
Kha was presented with a personalised, golden cubit (tool of measurement) as a reward for his respected and accomplished career, including work in Thebes. It was a symbol of his successful career that was buried with him.
Children of Kha and Merit
Merit sought help from Hathor, pre-emptive goddess of motherhood and sexual pleasure, for protection during pregnancy and childbirth.
Merit would go on to have three children (two sons and a daughter), all of which are painted in their tomb. Their daughter, also named Merit, was depicted most.
Coffins
Both Kha and Merit were placed into anthropoid coffins, a symbol of their wealth and power. Both coffins reflect Middle-Kingdom Egypt customs, being rectangular with vaulted, gable-ended lids and covered with black bitumen.
As Merit died some time before Kha, she was put in a coffin meant for Kha, meaning it was too large and empty spaced had to be filled with linens, also monogrammed for Kha.
Kha’s Walking Stick
It is thought that Kha lived into old age, largely being cared for by his daughter. Though his walking stick indicates his age later in life, he died before his king, meaning he never got to see the finished tomb of Amenhotep III.
