Mastaba of Ptah-Hotep
and Akhti-Hotep
This mastaba is actually a double mastaba. Ptah-Hotep seems to have held a very important
position during the reign of Djedkare during the V Dynasty. Djedkare was the predecessor of
Unas. Ptah-Hotep was self-described as a priest of Maat. Akhti-Hotep is thought to have
been Ptah-Hotep's father. He was the vizier, chief of the treasury and the granary, as well as a
judge. This mastaba is smaller than the Mastaba of Ti, but is more interesting. The reliefs that
are found inside are not all completed. The main corridor has reliefs on both sides. On the left
are what appear to be preliminary drawings in red. Over the red are corrections in black made
by the master artist. Other reliefs show fowl being carried by servants to Ptah-Hotep. At the
end of the corridor to the right to a pillard hall and then left is Ptah-Hotep's tomb chamber.
The reliefs in the tomb chamber are the best preserved of the Old Kingdom. They have
retained some color and are more famous than the mastaba of Ti. The ceilings in the tomb
chamber are imitations of the trunks of palm trees. Back into the pillard hall and to the left is
the chamber of Akhti-Hotep. It is quite similar to Ptah-Hotep's, although less decorated.
Through a passageway to the left is a chamber that contains a mummy that has not been
identified. The passageway leads to the pillard hall and the entrance corridor.
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