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TT31, the tomb of Khonsu , also called To (or Ta) .in the valley of the nobles-luxor -thebe



a band of multicoloured rectangles. It is comprised of groups of two multicoloured djed pillars separated by two columns of badly preserved text, initially black on yellow base, giving the titles of the deceased or members of his family.


 2) - Upper register 



The processional barque of Khonsu returns to its sanctuary of Ermant. It arrives in front of the pylons of the temple. They all stand on sacred ground, identified as such because all of the officiants wear sandals. The barque is borne by eight priests who have the shaven skull and their chest crossed by a white strap. A band is tied around their long loincloth. They have come with "High-priest of Montu, Ramose", who walks at their side, clothed in a panther skin, worn over a long golden kilt, with a white one under that  [NB: one knows for this character two statues : one in the Chicago Art Institute (no 20264) and, since November 2013, a second statue found in the temple of Montou at Ermant

Two priests wait for the divine statue. The first is performing the act of purification; a bag hangs from the end of a chain over his white loincloth. The one behind him makes a libation from a triple vase and offers a bouquet. Above are several columns of text of welcome, the black hieroglyphs of which have badly resisted time:  


"Words spoken by Montu, Lord of Ermant. Welcome! You arrive from Tod to take your rest in Ermant. All your people are standing to cheer you when you return to Ermant. They have the happy heart which you bring",

the rest of the text is impossible to reconstitute with reliability. It seems strange that words of welcome to the statue of Montu are spoken by Montu himself! The statue which travelled was perhaps not the main statue of the god, the original probably didn't leave its shrine.


The pylons of the temple, between which is the entrance, carry the cartouches of Thutmosis III and the entry itself is named "Beautiful is his appearing". At the bottom of the left pylon is an image of the hawk protecting the small figure of the monarch. This is presumably on a perch and could have been carried at the end of the small procession.
There is nothing to confirm that this represents the main sanctuary of Montu, where a small temple was dedicated to this god by Thutmosis III and of which Khonsu would be the main officiant
 
Very little has survived, but it is probably superimposable with the scene of libation of the east wall. Khonsu officiates in front of the god's statue which has regained its place in the chapel. It represents a prestigious representation for Khonsu, to which he assigned an area of choice on the west wall. Situated in the axis of the entry and very illuminated, the scene could not fail to be seen by the visitor. It is the principle of artistry for a significant image to be placed in a significant place.
 

The accompanying text states:  
"Offering incense and cool water doubly pure for the Ka of the royal spirit, Menkheperre, the products of the sky and the land and of that which Hapi brings (Hapi was the god of the flooding). They are twice pure for your Ka and your Ka is satisfied with them; namely: bread, beer, cattle, fowl, cloth, incense, ointment, various grain and vegetables, for your Ka, 0 good god, lord of the Two Lands, Menkheperre, son of Re, Tuthmosis (III), the products of the sky and the land, and [whatever is given to ?] the greater and lesser enneads, and to all the gods of the sky and the land, and to the royalty (?) of Menkheperre, justified. That he may give all good and pure food, good and pleasant things, to the Ka of your favourite, the high-priest of Menkheperre, Khonsu, also called To. May he give [...]". A curious detail "Next to the feet of Khonsu is a Ba bird", but the authors of this page have been unable to find it, not even in the left-hand section.

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