A model (Makit) of a grain store with the Library of Accountants
This model of a grain store was found in a secret room in the corridor leading to the carved tomb in the rock of the great royal court Makit Ra' al-Ma'khuz, which was named after the word (Makit) or a miniature model, which began its journey during the reign of King Nab Habet Ra' al-Mutawhbat II of the eleventh dynasty, and continued to serve the successive kings until the early years of the twelfth dynasty.
The four corners of this grain store model are still preserved in some parts of southern Egypt to this day, and it is believed that it provides additional protection against thieves and rodents. The interior is divided into two main sections: the grain store itself, where grains are stored, and the accounting area. The supply of grains was of great importance in the agricultural community, and it is worth noting that the number of six men who carried the grain bags here is less than the number of nine men who measured and accounted. Among the four libraries, two use cardboard bags, and two are written on wooden boards. All the rooms available in the Makit Ra' store were looted and plundered during the ancient times; however, in the early years of 1920, Herbert and Wenlock, the museum curator, obtained a detailed plan of the tomb layout for the layout of the tomb of the family of the eleventh dynasty in Tayba, and therefore requested his workers to clean up the accumulated debris. During the cleaning process, the small hidden room was found, filled with twenty-four almost complete preserved models. In the end, half of these models were transferred to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, while the other half was transferred to the Metropolitan Museum as part of the discoveries section.
Period: Middle Kingdom
The Family: The Twelfth Dynasty
The Era: Early First Period
History: ca. 1981–1975 BC
Geographical Location: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Tyba, south of Asasif, Tomb of Meketre, a royal chief steward, who began his career under King Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II of Dynasty 11 and continued to serve successive kings into the early years of Dynasty 12.
The four corners of this model granary are peaked in a manner that is sometimes still found in southern Egypt today, presumably to offer additional protection against thieves and rodents. The interior is divided into two main sections: the granary proper, where grain was stored, and an accounting area. Keeping track of grain supplies was crucial in an agricultural society, and it is noteworthy that the six men carrying sacks of grain here are outnumbered by nine men taking care of measuring and accounting. Of the four scribes, two are using papyrus scrolls, two write on wooden writing boards.
All the accessible rooms in the tomb of Meketre had already been robbed and plundered during Antiquity; but early in 1920 the Museum's excavator, Herbert Winlock, wanted to obtain an accurate floor plan of the tomb's layout for his map of the Eleventh Dynasty necropolis at Thebes, and therefore, had his workers clean out the accumulated debris. It was during this cleaning operation that the small hidden chamber was discovered, filled with twenty-four almost perfectly preserved models. Eventually, half of these went to the Egyptian Museum, Cairo, and the other half came to the Metropolitan Museum in the partition of finds.
Period: Middle Kingdom
Dynasty: Dynasty 12
Reign: early reign of Amenemhat I
Date: ca. 1981–1975 BC.
Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Southern Asasif, Tomb of Meketre (TT 280, MMA 1101), serdab, MMA excavations, 1920
Medium: Wood, plaster, paint, linen, grain
Dimensions: L. 74.9 (29 1/2 in); W. 56 cm (22 1/16 in); H. 36.5 (14 3/8 in);
average height of figures: 20 cm (7 7/8 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1920
Object Number: 20.3.11/The Met