Evidence for Administration of the Nubian Fortresses in the Late Middle Kingdom

The Semna Dispatches

Bibliographic Data

ID12955857
AuthorsBryan Kraemer (University of Chicago, corresponding author), Kate Liszka (California State University, San Bernardino, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume9
Issue1
Pages1-65
Publication date2016-06-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Egyptian History (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1874-1657 • E-ISSN: 1874-1665
PublisherBrill (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1163/18741665-12340026
OpenAlexW2463788604
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited43

Evidence for the system of written communications used in Egypt’s administration of its forts is sparse. Of the papyri that exist, the “Semna Dispatches” has provided most of the information available about this system as it existed in Lower Nubia during the late Middle Kingdom. In 1945, Paul Smither posthumously published P. Ramesseum C ( bm ea 10752) as “The Semnah Despatches.” Smither was unaware of two fragments, framed with P. Ramesseum 19 ( bm ea 10772.2). This study edits the unpublished fragments and incorporates them into the larger discussion about the Semna Dispatches. They provide clarity for the document as a whole. They show that the dispatches were, primarily, used to coordinate surveillance around the Semna Gorge and, secondarily, to record security concerns for other fortresses. Furthermore, they were written in a surveillance office at Semna West and not in Thebes. This study resolves several debates about the dispatches and the control of Lower Nubia in the late Middle Kingdom

Administration (probate law · Ancient history · Archaeology · Biology · CLARITY · Genealogy · Kingdom · Middle Ages · Middle East · Political science · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · History · Law · Paleontology

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