A Mysterious Papyrus of the Roman Period from Athribis (Papyrus SH 389)
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Haitham Madkour
Summary
The primary publication of the papyrus from Athribis in Upper Egypt is currently housed in the El-Shaikh Hamad magazine (Sohag). This paper provides a detailed description of the papyrus, whose paleographic features suggest a late date, possibly from the Roman period. It also explores the enigmatic nature of the text, which lacks exact parallels, raising questions about its coherence and purpose. The paper raises the question of whether it was intentionally created as a coherent piece or if it originated from using the papyrus as a scribbling pad. The author suggests that the papyrus may have been a magical amulet based on the positioning of the depictions and the presence of cipher letters. The deciphering of the text is described as a significant challenge, and the author hopes that the publication of this article will attract scholars to further study and interpret this mysterious papyrus.
© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
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- Le cercueil de Padiousir fils de Pahep
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Articles in the same Issue
- Titelseiten
- Irmtraut Munro
- Instruments of Crime in Tomb Robbery Papyri
- The Unveiled Man
- CT 335 on the Head Side of Inner Coffin A7A From Qubbet el-Hawa (QH31/15/S5/UE21/30)
- The Stela of Ahmose the Scribe and Reckoner of the Cattle (CG 34049/GEM 5888)
- A Liturgical Ostracon From the Burial Shaft of Wahibremeryneith at Abusir
- A Mysterious Papyrus of the Roman Period from Athribis (Papyrus SH 389)
- Serving the Mendesian Ram in Memphis for Generations
- Le cercueil de Padiousir fils de Pahep
- ‘Priests of Maat’ and Ideal Autobiographies in the Old Kingdom – A Suggestion
- Osiris and Thoth in the Valley of Caracas: The Circulation History of Two Egyptian Objects in Late Nineteenth-Century Venezuela
- The Nenib-List Reconsidered: A Synoptic Reading of Edfu and Athribis Scented Material
- Ein seltenes Epitheton des Gottes Chons-in–Theben- im Tempel von Dakke
