On the eastern wall of the offering chamber,
the identical pair are shown in the most intimate embrace possible within
the canons of ancient Egyptian art. Niankhkhnum is on the right grasping
his companion's right forearm; Khnumhotep, on the left, has his left
arm across the other man's back, tightly clasping his shoulder. Again
the tips of the men's noses are touching and this time their torsos
are so close together that the knots on the belts of their kilts appear
to be touching, perhaps even tied together. Here, in the innermost private
part of their joint-tomb, the two men stand in an embrace meant to last
for eternity.
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©1999 Greg Reeder |