200854491 Introduction

Aim of this essay is to research whether Amarna Boundary Stelae accurately reflect the actual appearance of the city of Akhetaten. Further on I tried to connect actual text from Boundary Stelae with archaeological record. It is quite hard to connect very spiritual text from stelae with actual finds at the City of Akhetaten due to fact that everything in these texts, two variants, is described in a metaphor. We can see name of Aten throughout the text very often and sometimes we have to derive actual facts from biblical expressions. These letters present their information following an accepted modern convention, but must lead us to an experience of the city of an artificial character somewhat removed from the way in which it was experienced by those who actually lived there. Kemp, B.J. (1976)1

First Boundary Stelae

Early foundation decree of the city was first carved on two stelae on northern and southern tips of the city territory on the east bank and these stelae are marked as X and M on maps (This system of labeling the stelae was created by the English Egyptologist Flinders Petrie2). Due to weather damage to those two stelae another one was build bit farther south from original M stela and this one is labeled with K. This stela was heavily damaged over time and only one third of original text, Early Proclamation, was preserved till present day. This is very unfortunate because it is speculated that rest of the text was supposed to contain and outline Akhenaten own motivation to build the City of Akhetaten and also events that lead to his revolution. Initial appearance and speech by the King talks about Aten appearing on the chariot, filling land with his love and pleasantness, than he set the road toward the Akhetaten which his son aka Akhenaten build for him so that he can reside in it for all eternity3. At the first I thought that road mentioned in the text could be Royal road going from south to north but when we think about fact that Aten is a sun disk and often referred to as Hor-Aten we come to conclusion that this might and most likely is metaphorical expression for sunrise. That would mean Aten must have
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Kemp, B.J. (1976) The Window of Appearance at El-Amarna, and the Basic Structure of This City Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 62, 81-99 2 http://www.amarnaproject.com/pages/amarna_the_place/boundary_stelae/ 3 Murnane, William J. (1995) Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, p. 75

200854491 come from east and thus from mountains and descend down to city moving toward the west. So we can be pretty sure Royal road isnt actual reflection of road which Aten took on his chariot.

Akhenaten refers to Aten as his father and in texts from Early Proclamation he states that it was Aten who told him where to build the city. He specifies his reasons the land where new city is supposed to be build is pure and untouched by humans before them, basicly a pure land. In The Decree part of Early Proclamation Akhenaten he briefly describes boundaries of the city. But not directly linked to stelae at this point, apart from northern and southern stela. ..I shall make Akhetaten for the Aten, my father, in this place. I shall not make Akhetaten for him south of it, north of it, west of it or east of it. I shall not go past southern stela of Akhetaten toward the south, nor shall I go past northern stela of Akhetaten in order to make Akhetaten for him there. Nor shall I make it for him on the western side of Akhetaten, but I shall make Akhetaten for the Aten, my father, on the orient of Akhetaten, the place which he himself made to be enclosed for him by the mountain, on which he may achieve happiness and on which I shall offer to him. This is it! Murnane, William J. (1995)4

Later on in The Decree of Early Proclamation he mentions building House of Aten for the Aten. This is very clear reference for Great Temple of Aten. "At Akhet-Aten in this place shall I make the House of Aten for the Aten, my father." + five more similar lines regarding Mansion of Aten. Murnane, William J. (1995)5

Great Temple of Aten was build in northern part of the central city with big enclosure wall which was hiding temple inside of it. Temple entrance was facing the Nile and thus was oriented towards the west and, as the largest temple dedicated to the Aten, was where Akhenaten fully established the proper cult and worship of the sun-disk. This place was solely intended for the King to worship Aten and offer offering to the god.

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Murnane, William J. (1995) Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, p. 76-77 Murnane, William J. (1995) Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, p. 77

200854491 On the same side of Royal Road, just one building next to the Great Temple of Aten was Kings House. It was connected with a Great Palace by the bricked bridge which lead over the royal road connecting those two buildings. It is discussed that this building might have contained a special window where King accompanied by his family appeared ceremonially to reward loyal officials and to announce their promotions to higher offices. This place is often referred to as Window of Appearance6. Unfortunately exact spot of this windows wasnt located but we know it existed. As for Boundary Stelae, text tells us that King indeed intended to build his house in the city. We might consider his house whole complex of Great Palace and Kings House as one and call it his house. Text of Boundary Stelae says following.

"At Akhet-Aten in this place shall I make for myself the residence of Pharaoh, l.p.h., I shall make the residence of the King's Chief Wife." Murnane, William J. (1995)7

Last thing King states in the text is building of the tombs for him, his family and officials who were loyal. Location of those tombs is said to be in eastern mountains. Text also speaks about cemetery to be made. From archaeological record we know there are at least two cemeteries both located near the mountain edge. One at the north and other and the south. They are called cemeteries but are actual tombs cut into the mountain cliffs.

"Let a tomb be made for me in the orient mountain (of Akhet-Aten), and let my burial made in it, ..." next he mentions his wife and daughter. "And let a cemetery (be made) for Mnevis Bull in the orient mountain,.." "Let there be made tomb chapels for the Greatest of Seers,..." Murnane, William J. (1995)8

Actual Royal Tomb (which has the no. 26 in the Amarna rock-tomb sequence) lies in a narrow side valley leading off from the Royal Wadi at a distance of 6 kms. (nearly 4 miles) from its entrance. Tomb was originally made for King Akhenaten himself and princess Meketaten and presumably for Queen Tyi. There is also unfinished side chamber which might have been intended for Queen Nefertiti herself. Unfortunately for us tomb was already destroyed in Ancient times and damaged a little bit more even after its discovery in 1880 by local people. Most of the

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Kemp, B.J (1989) Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilisation London: Routledge p. 287 Murnane, William J. (1995) Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, p. 77 8 Murnane, William J. (1995) Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, p. 77-78

200854491 tomb decoration is highly damaged so we cant get accurate picture of whose tomb was it actually9. There are other unfinished tombs in the area that might have been intended for royal family judging by the size and location.

Last thing mentioned in text is what I think is reference for North Riverside Palace. This palace was heavily fortified and probably was used as principal royal residence. Huge enclosure fortified wall clearly suggest it was heavily protected. Mainly because wall separated this whole building from the rest of the city. Part of the outer wall was large gateway from which part is still standing today and creates marvelous landmark.

"Further, I shall make..., the double-plumed shade of Aten..in the northern road which is at the crag of the (...ern) stela,....upon them..(at?) the great mountain of the Aten, my father,..." Murnane, William J. (1995)10

Exactly one year after foundation of new city Akhenaten issued second Decree on stela in southeastern corner of Akhetaten. This new decree described boundaries of the city more precisely even giving exact measures. Decree issued building at least 8 more stelae at east bank near the mountains to more accurately bound the city. There are also 3 stelae at the west bank. Akhenaten had them built on exact opposite side of three stelae on east bank, copying Northern, intermediate and southern stela. Said distance between both northern stelae on each west and east bank and same with southern stelae on both sides of the river is approximately 10 km and 594 m if we use royal cubits, measurement stated in text is as follows: 6 river measures, 1 3/4 rods and 6 cubits11.

Conclusion I believe that all buildings and monuments mentioned in Boundary Stelae text were indeed build within El-Amarna city itself. Even though it is hard to identify them correctly as they are mentioned as metaphors and in religious meaning, but we can be pretty sure that most of the buildings mentioned in this highly religious text were indeed real standing structures within the City of Akhetaten itself.

http://www.amarnaproject.com/pages/amarna_the_place/royal_tombs/ Murnane, William J. (1995) Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, p. 80 11 Murnane, William J. (1995) Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, p. 84
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200854491 So yes, I believe those texts, even though damaged and incomplete, reflect the actual appearance of the city of Akhenaten to the extent of the text. there is great amount of buildings which are not mentioned in the text. But this is due the fact that only high status and important buildings were essential in this religious text.

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Bibliography

Murnane, William J. (1995) Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt

Kemp, B.J (1989) Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilisation London: Routledge Kemp, B.J. (1976) The Window of Appearance at El-Amarna, and the Basic Structure of This City Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 62

http://www.amarnaproject.com/pages/amarna_the_place/boundary_stelae/ http://www.amarnaproject.com/pages/amarna_the_place/royal_tombs/ KEMP, Barry J., 1993, A survey of the ancient city of El-'Amarna, Egypt Exploration Society, London