‘Yes, Majesty.’
‘Good. Then you will recall that I made a promise to the god, one which I now wish to be fulfilled. I want you to leave tomorrow, I have arranged for a swift boat to take you. Bring with you this letter, which grants you quarters in the compound of the Vizier during your stay. He will ensure that you have all the men and tools you require readily at your disposal. As soon as practicable I want you to report to me with the timescale you think necessary for the works and the number of men. Messages can be sent through Yuya, it will be quicker than going through the channels which Kenamun, my father’s Chief Steward has organised. I am sure these were designed to delay or prevent news or information ever reaching my father, unless the Chief Steward approved of it. Now go. Prepare yourself. I have things to discuss with Yuya.’
And so it was over. A matter of moments. He was met and despatched with the minimum of fuss and no ceremony. Such was the lot of those who do the King’s bidding. At least Kha had received his instructions from the King himself which is more than most in the land of Kemet could say. The many layers of bureaucracy that had been created particularly by Kenamun, during the twenty six years of Amenhotep’s reign, meant that only a few Court officials ever got to speak directly to the King.
Perhaps that is the way Amenhotep had wanted it. No one could know for sure. Kenamun wielded great power and authority, he was the son of Amenhotep’s wet nurse and the two had been raised together. Kenamun’s mother had managed to keep her son at the future King’s side, maintaining separation from the other royal princes and princesses. Engineering a close bond between the two boys which would endure a lifetime and ensure that her son was well positioned in the Court.
Amenhotep’s elder brother, Amenemhat, became Overseer of Cattle and died mysteriously. Kenamun prospered. He became the possessor of nearly one thousand titles, each bringing him closer to the presence of the King, ensuring another layer of bureaucratic obstacles to overcome before anyone could talk directly with the King himself.
*
Kha arrived in Ineb-Hedj, was shown to his small, but adequate, quarters within the Vizier’s compound and allocated a chariot and charioteer to ferry him to and from the great statue in the desert. He wasted no time. Early next morning he made his way through the desert. Time had not diminished the awe he had felt when he first saw the giant head rising from the sands years before. He feared, however, that both he and the King had underestimated the work involved. There was no way of knowing what would be found when the sand was removed. It might simply be just a giant carving of a head, but Kha doubted that would be the case.
He spent his first days taking measurements. He had been taught that this great head was the image of the god-King Khafre. If that was indeed the case then this head probably marked the start of the processional way to his pyramidic tomb, which towered above the other pyramids. He measured the distance from the head to the pyramid. He measured the head to try and estimate the height of the statue. He made hundreds of calculations, each and every one of which would prove to be totally wrong, once the work on the statue started. However, he sent his report to the new King, and went home awaiting the King’s reply.
chapter ten
It was nearly two years before the order came. When it did it was delivered by Hapu ‘His Majesty, Kanakht Tutkhau Djednisytmiitum Userkhepesh-derpedjetpesdjet Menkheperure Thutmose, infinite of wisdom and mighty bull of Horus, hereby grants the use of five hundred workers from the estates of the King in Ineb-Hedj to carry out the works requested of him by Hor-em-akhet-Khepri-Atum. Such works to be commenced in the first month of Akhet in year three of his Majesty’s accession to the Horus throne, and last until finished to the satisfaction of the gods. Kha, Overseer of the workers at Set Ma’at shall oversee the works in the name of the King and shall be authorised to request further assistance in his work.’
So, Kha was to be afforded five hundred men and unlimited time to carry out the works, which could take years, even with such a large group of workmen.
‘I see that I have been demoted,’ said Kha, ‘I’m no longer overseer of the King’s works, just of the workers in the village.’
‘Why do you worry so much about titles?’ asked Merit. ‘Do we not have everything we want or need? Are we not rich in comparison to those around us? Would you rather be at court and bend your knees to the likes of Kenamun or his successors? We want for nothing and that makes us lucky. How many times must I say this? Be content. Do the work you love doing and stop bothering about titles.’
Kha looked as though he was going to say something, he heard these things almost every day but he still didn’t accept what he was told. Frustrated, Merit didn’t give him a chance to speak.
‘Do you think that the King thinks of you all the time? No, of course he doesn’t. That’s my job; you use your hands to create things for the gods and kings. Your work will last forever on this world, you, I, and even the kings won’t. Has the King not been fighting in Kush? Have you not received orders to oversee the depiction of his battles, do you believe he should think of you in a way different to anyone else? Yuya remains your friend, be satisfied Kha, for your own peace of mind, please be satisfied.’
*
Work around the giant head commenced, as ordered, in the first month of the inundation, a time when farm workers had time on their hands. Every day, many turned up asking for work and Kha accepted all the help he could get. The stores of the King in Ineb-Hedj were open to Kha and he was able to pay all the workers the standard four khars of wheat per month or sometimes, on request of the workmen, some of this was replaced by tools, or oil or other items needed by them or their families. He often wished Merit was there to help calculate the appropriate amounts, but the Overseer of Stores at Ineb-Hedj was able to keep the workers satisfied, even though Kha was convinced he was keeping a portion for himself.
The work, removing sand from around the head of the statue, was long and hard. Each man was able to move about thirty khars per day, and it was several weeks before the first surprise was revealed to Kha.
‘Overseer, you are needed below the head,’ an out of breath worker had informed him, as Kha was discussing something with the foremen in the little shade afforded by the nearby Temple which, being a sun Temple, had no roof. Kha rose and walked to the area below the head.
‘It is not a statue of a man standing, Overseer, but it seems to be the body of an animal.’
Kha inspected the area below the head, there was an area he had surmised to be the god’s chest. Two great legs came out at right angles to the chest and ended in large, lion like paws.
‘What creature is this?’ he asked to no one in particular. ‘At least the depth will be less than I had predicted.’ Kha’s curiosity was raised. ‘I’ll seek the counsel of the teachers, but in the meantime just keep clearing the sand.’
Days, weeks and months passed. Each day huge quantities of sand were removed and spread in the desert. The more that was taken away, that which was buried beneath appeared increasingly detailed and complex. It took almost two years for the statue and the surrounding area to be fully cleared, revealing secrets that had been buried for a thousand years. Not only did Kha’s work bring to light the magnificent statue with the head of a god and the body of a lion, but also two Temples which had been constructed in front. The height of the Temples were below that of the god so neither blocked his view and he was able to greet Ra in the morning.
The statue itself measured one hundred and forty cubits long, thirty seven cubits wide, and thirty nine cubits high. Kha was astounded to discover it hadn’t been constructed but actually carved out of one massive rock formation.
Every day Kha discovered something new. Every day he sent messages to the King asking him to come and see the complex. Every day he waited in vain for a response.
One day Yuya arrived, without warning.
‘At last, someone seems to want to ta
ke an interest,’ Kha lamented.
‘All are interested, Kha,’ replied his friend, ‘but the King’s mind is currently occupied with other things.’
‘I care not for matters of state, Yuya. We have discovered treasures beyond imagination. Temples created by Khafre honouring his father Khufu. A Temple for Khafre, a walkway leading to Khafre’s funerary Temple and pyramid. Look around you Yuya. See the red granite walls of the Temple over there. Come with me inside, read the inscriptions, see the statues. I have never witnessed the like of this. Thutmose set all of this in motion, but seems to completely ignore what is here.’
‘He will come, Kha. In fact he will be travelling to Ineb-Hedj very soon and I shall bring him so you can show him what you’ve discovered under the sands.’
‘He’s been to Ineb-Hedj many, many times in the last two years, but he has never taken the few hours to come here and see this.’
‘Kha, please have a more respectful tone when talking about your King. Certainly when he does come, don’t speak with him as you’re speaking to me. He’s a changed man now he is King. He can’t afford the frivolity of his younger years. He is constantly meeting representatives and Kings from other countries, allies and potential allies. He’s trying to bring about a peaceful period, with no more wars. Mutemwiya is helping, I’m doing everything I can, but our influence is to the north and east. Now there are problems in the south. This building project is the most important of his reign. He has not even started on his tomb; he’s waiting for your work to finish here. Hapu and his son Amenhotep have been surveying the holy valleys for suitable places, but Thutmose wants you involved. Also Kha, his health is not good. He has a sickness which comes and goes but is weakening him, by the day. I’m worried about him. Like you, he is my dear friend. Don’t be harsh, or judge him severely, Kha. He respects you and your work.’
‘It seems that Hapu and son are becoming more and more influential,’ said Kha.
‘They are architects Kha, you’re a builder. They plan, you do. Now prepare everything for a visit of the King, it will probably be in about ten days. If you’re returning to Ineb-Hedj tonight, join me in my quarters to eat. There are many things we need to discuss.’
‘I’ll be there,’ replied Kha.
*
True to his word, the day arrived when Thutmose and an entourage of maybe fifty arrived with Yuya to the cleared site in front of the pyramids. Kha and the workers prostrated themselves before their King. It seemed to Kha that Thutmose had aged by much more than the four years that had passed since he last saw him. Lines could be seen across his forehead and around his eyes which even the kohl could not hide.
The King walked over to Kha.
‘Please rise Kha, come and show me your work.’
Kha rose and saw Thutmose standing beside Yuya. On the other side of him stood a young boy.
‘Kha, this is Amenhotep, the son of Hapu. I think he can learn much from you and I want him to work with you here. Teach him well.’
‘As my Lord wishes,’ replied Kha. ‘Now Majesty I suggest we start to look first at the Temples discovered here to the side of that built by your father. First we have what I have presumptuously called the Temple of Horus of the Horizon, for reasons I’ll explain as we go along.’
‘It sounds a good name Kha, perhaps we should keep it,’ Thutmose said.
‘We are entering by the west side. Majesty, I have never before known a Temple which contains not just one sanctuary but this one has two.’
‘I don’t understand Kha, why would a Temple have two sanctuaries?’
‘A priest would be able to answer that better, my Lord, but I have slept out here many nights and watched the movement of the sun god Ra, from his rising in glory to his setting on his way to his nightly trials. My opinion is that these sanctuaries are to celebrate the rising and setting of Ra and the open terrace beyond is to glorify the Aten, at its height, in the middle of the day. Their alignment is perfect for this.’
‘Huy,’ the King called out to Amenhotep the son of Hapu, using the name which had been given to him to avoid using the name of the deceased King, ‘arrange to go to Iunu and bring me a priest knowledgeable in the ways of the sun god so we can test Kha’s theory.’
‘King Thutmose,’ it was Yuya who interjected, ‘don’t forget that officially these lands are part of those governed by the priests in Ineb-Hedj.’
‘And those priests are devoted to Ptah, what can they teach me about the wonders of Ra and the Aten? The centre of worship for this god is in Iunu; the knowledge is there and should come from there. But, Yuya, you’re right. Forever the diplomat. Huy, please as soon as we return to Ineb-Hedj inform the First Prophet that I seek an urgent audience with him and he is to bring with him the First Prophet of the Aten from Iunu as soon as possible. Tell him it must be within three days, before I return to Waset. Now Kha, please carry on with the tour.’
Moving into the courtyard open to the sky, Kha said ‘Here, Majesty, we see twenty four pillars, I think that each represents an hour of the day and night. Please look at the statues, many of which bear the same face as you will see on the great statue, under which you slept. My view is that this Temple was constructed by King Khafre to honour his father the god-King, Khunsu, whom he believed to have been incarnated as Ra and whose daily journey is marked and honoured in three phases here.’
‘It seems you have interpreted the Temple in an interesting way, Kha, but we shall let the priests have their say, before we commit ourselves to any belief. Now can we please look at this statue? It is he who talked to me. I want to see the god free of the weight of sand.’
They left the Temple through the same entrance they had entered. Kha had so much more to say and to show. There was the second Temple, the causeway leading to a third Mortuary Temple at the base of the middle pyramid, that of Khafre himself. He realised however, that Thutmose was losing patience and so they moved to stand between the paws of the great statue.
‘Majesty, time has not been kind to this symbol of greatness. It appears to have been carved from a single block of rock which was already here. It’s not made from stones brought here from afar, although there is some block work, much of which has been removed by the weight of sands. Also there is a crack in the rock across the back. We’ll need to carry out repair work if we are to try and restore the god to its former greatness.’
‘We’ll do whatever is necessary,’ said Thutmose almost absentmindedly. His stare and attention were fixed on the face towering above him.
‘I knew he had reason to speak to me, now just look at this marvel. It can’t be allowed, ever again, to fall under the sands. Huy, draw up plans for a wall to surround this whole complex. I want to erect shelter and terraces over there so that I can come and spend time in this place. I believe that this is the true source of power of the Kings of the Two Lands. My father was right to build his Temple here to give thanks for his Kingship. I’ll do the same and ensure that all future Kings will know and come here to worship Ra and seek strength from the Aten.’
Only Yuya noticed how Kha looked crestfallen, as the King was directing his comments solely to the son of Hapu. He would speak to his friend later. No-one noticed the expressions on the faces of the priests of Amun and Ptah, who didn’t share in the joy of the rebirth of the old god.
‘Kha, I’m pleased with what I have seen,’ continued Thutmose. ‘It has taken much longer than I had thought but I can see now the extent of the work. I need you to concentrate on my tomb in Waset, so it’s nearly time for you to return home. First, however, I require that you teach Huy everything about this place. There is still much work to do; you’ve made a good start, now it’s time for you to move to the next project.’
It was as if a knife had been plunged slowly through Kha’s ribs and into his heart.
He had dedicated the last two years of his life to this work and sacrificed much. He had onl
y seen Merit and Djoser a handful of times. He missed the birth of his daughter. Now he was being dismissed from this, the greatest work in the history of the Two Lands since these Temples and this gigantic human headed lion was carved. Yuya walked over and put his arm around Kha.
‘Let us dine together, just the two of us tonight Kha,’ he said.
Kha nodded. He couldn’t speak.
*
‘The King is putting much faith in you, Huy,’ Kha said the following morning as the two walked to the second Temple in front of the carved god, the one which Thutmose hadn’t even taken the time to see yesterday. His mood was better than it had been the day before. Talking long into the night with Yuya, today he was more accepting of the King’s decision. He was looking forward to seeing his home and family. He would travel back with Yuya, who said he would wait until Kha felt able to leave Huy in charge. Yuya planned to take a few days to visit his family in the Delta, he too was missing his sons.
‘From the statues and engravings, I believe this to be a funerary Temple of King Khafre, where his body was prepared for burial,’ Kha said.
Huy looked carefully at all the statues, pillars and engravings. He asked many questions which Kha was happy to answer. How did they get these enormous blocks in place? Where did they come from?’
From the Temple they moved along the causeway, the right hand side of which was dominated by the lion bodied King. They entered the much smaller Mortuary Temple where the final ceremonies on the King’s body had been performed before his interment within the great pyramid, a thousand years ago.
The Awakening Aten Page 12
