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Name : role model of a Granary with scriber

What it is : A wooden model with plaster , blusher and linen paper decorations

Close-up of a wooden diorama showing five human figurines. Two are facing away from the camera, and three face the camera. They are carrying sacks of grain.

Close-up of the granary diorama found in the tomb of Meketre

Where it is from : Thebes , Egypt ( mod - day Luxor )

When it was made : Circa 1980 B.C.

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What it assure us about the past :

This decorated wooden diorama was discovered in a unavowed chamber of anancient Egyptiantomb in Thebes ( now Luxor ) in 1920 . The tremendous grave was that of Meketre , the boss steward of the Pharaoh of Egypt ’s household , who died around 1980 B.C. , in Egypt ’s twelfth dynasty during theMiddle Kingdom , a period known for its typical art . The model represents a miniature garner , which suggests the grandness of pale yellow and barley in ancient Egyptian society .

The model , which is on scene at theMetropolitan Museum of Artin New York City , was made from a wooden box measure 29.5 by 22 by 14.4 in ( 74.9 by 56 by 36.5 cm ) . The slightly unwell niche educe an ancient style of architecture that helped protect against thieves and rodents , according to the Met . Inside , the box is part into two sections : the place where the cereal was stored and the place where measuring and accounting system take lieu .

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manakin of 15 hands , each rough 7.9 in ( 20 cm ) tall , were also admit in the cyclorama . Six are have a bun in the oven sacks of texture , while the other nine are immortalize the supply on paper rush scrolls and wooden tab .

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Egypt’sagricultural wealthcame in the main from cereals , include pale yellow and barley , and the Pharaoh ensure the main food for thought - producing area : the Nile Valley . keep caterpillar tread of grain supplies was therefore crucial to ancient Egyptian high society , concord to the Met . In Meketre ’s role as master steward , he was likely in charge of all royal estates that supplied the castle with cereal and other food .

The mysterious chamber of Meketre ’s tomb revealed 24 model in totality , including agarden of fig treesand asporting boat . Half of these theoretical account are in the Met ’s collection , while the other half are in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo .

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It is unclear why some ancient Egyptians were forget with these models , butsome scholarssuspect the panorama may have been created to avail support the dead in the hereafter .

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