Aya (queen)

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Aya was an ancient Egyptian king's wife of the early Thirteenth Dynasty (between 1803 and 1649 BCE).[1]

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Aya
in hieroglyphs
Era: Middle Kingdom
(2055–1650 BC)
Stela mentioning queen Aya

Attestations[edit]

She is known from two sources. She can be associated with vizier Ankhu.

Würzburg Martin von Wagner Museum H 35[edit]

At Abydos, Aya appears on a stela now in Würzburg.[2][3] From this source it is clear that she was part of an influential family of high court officials and was related to the Vizier .[1][4] Importantly, is a certain Royal Scribe and Overseer of a Half-Domain, Wepwawethotep {ḫtmw-bjtj; jmj-rꜣ gs-pr wp-wꜣwt-ḥtp}, who married Senebhenas, daughter of Vizier Ankhu.

Papyrus Boulaq 18[edit]

She appears in the Papyrus Boulaq 18.[3] This is an administrative account belonging to the Theban palace of a Thirteenth Dynasty king. It was found in the tomb of the scribe of the great enclosure Neferhotep. The name of the king in this papyrus is only partly preserved.[1]

High officials mentioned in this text includes Vizier Ankhu and High Steward Aabeni.

Speculations[edit]

Many scholars read the remains of the king's name in the Papyrus Boulaq 18 as Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep.[1] However, the reading is disputed and other suggestions include King Sehetepkare Intef and King Imyremeshaw.[3] Therefore, there is some doubt over the identification of Aya's husband.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e K.S.B. Ryholt, The Political Situation in Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period (Carsten Niebuhr Institute Publications, vol. 20. Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanum Press, 1997), p. 243-245
  2. ^ [1] PERSONS AND NAMES OF THE MIDDLE KINGDOM
  3. ^ a b c Dodson, Aidan and Hilton, Dyan. The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson. 2004.
  4. ^ Wolfram Grajetzki, Ancient Egyptian Queens: A Hieroglyphic Dictionary. London, Golden House Publications, 2005, p.36 ISBN 0-9547218-9-6