Some remarks on cult installations in the Late Period shaft tombs in Egypt

In the 26th Dynasty (perhaps also early 27th Dyn.), the main feature of large shaft tombs was a burial chamber at the foot of a deep and wide shaft. The author assesses the question of cult installations in such tombs, which belonged to members of the upper class of Egyptian society. In one such tomb, that of Iufaa at Abusir, the rather well-preserved lower portion of the mud-brick enclosure wall of its central shaft shows no traces of any original opening, ramp or staircase, which excludes the existence of a chapel above this shaft. The wider area east of the enclosure wall, however, comprised a rather vast complex consisting of rooms, corridors and a courtyard, which is contemporary with the tomb of Iufaa. Despite the paucity of finds, there can be little doubt that it concerns the cult installations of the tomb. Unfortunately, the areas surrounding other Late Period shaft tombs have been too insufficiently excavated (or published) to allow more general conclusions concerning their cult installations. (OEB abbr.)