Beni Hasan
From ArchaeoWiki
Beni Hasan (also transliterated "Bani Hasan") is an important archaeological site situated on the eastern bank of the Nile River, some 23 km south of the city of Minya (al-Minya المنيا) in the ancient Oryx Nome (number 16) of Upper Egypt. The present name derives from that of a village local to the site.
The site consists primarily of a multi-period cemetery for civil and military officials, extending from the Old Kingdom through to the Thirtieth Dynasty (although the New Kingdom period represents a significant gap in the use of the cemetery). Built into the steep hillsides overlooking the river with a fine view, probably the most important tomb group encompasses the Middle Kingdom necropolis of local nomarchs (governors) and their officials, situated north of the modern settlement.
An important exception to the use of the site as a cemetery is represented by the somewhat isolated temple erected in the reign of the Eighteenth Dynasty female ruler Hatshepsut, at a location known as Speos Artemidos to the south of the nomarchs' tombs.
Bibliography
- Montet, Pierre [1909], "Notes sur les tombeaux de Béni Hasan", BIFAO 9 (1909), pp.1-36.
- Newberry Percy [1893], Beni Hasan, Part I, [Archaeological Survey of Egypt], London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Tübner & Co. / Egypt Exploration Society, 1893. archive pdf
- Shea, William H. [1981], "Artistic Balance among the Beni Hasan Asiatics", BA 44.4 (1981), pp.219-228.
