Scene with monkeys and baboons

Khety was the first recorded royal treasurer (“overseer of what is sealed”) of Mentuhotep II (ca. 2051–2000 B.C.). Royal treasurers ranked directly under the pharaoh, on the same level with the vizier and the chief royal steward. The tomb of Khety was situated high up in the cliffs at Deir el-Bahri, near the mortuary complex of the king. These relief fragments once lined the tomb’s entrance passage.

The ancient Egyptians kept pet monkeys (baboons as well as the more slender guenons) for amusement and as status symbols. These animals played around the house and accompanied the master on outings. During trips abroad they amused the sailors with their pranks. Fragments from the tomb of Khety may belong to the representation of such a sea voyage with the monkeys running loose around the ship.

On the very right, a dog walks beside an archer; in the center, near a large container, two monkeys seem to be climbing on top of each other. The scars that appear on the arm of one of the men are a mystery. Was the man bitten repeatedly by a monkey? Part of what might be the figure of an animal is preserved below the arm.
Part of this scene is on a corner block; the remains of an inscription can be seen on the perpendicular face (see 26.3.354a).

See also 26.3.354a, dd, l, and q.