BAENNETYOU, a tomb of the XXVIth Dynasty,
in the oasis of Bahariya
The XXVIth Dynasty is the period to which the northern oasis, as well as those of the south, become a centre of attention and population. The genealogies of the families of the XXVIth Dynasty of Bahariya, carefully established, bring the proof that their forebears were settled there in the XXIIth, or even the XXIth Dynasty.
In the XXVIth Dynasty, the possession of the oasis will become a real stake between Egyptians, Libyans, Greeks of Cyrene, and Greek mercenaries engaged under the Egyptian sovereign's banner.
Also the monuments of this time testify to the interest shown by the sovereigns of this region, as well as to the agreements made between Egyptians and Libyans.
A Libyan family, whose ancestor is Iriawa, held key positions at the oasis in the XXVIth Dynasty. One of his descendants, Djedkhonsuiuefankh, became, in his turn, in the XXVIth Dynasty, governor of the oasis and ensured the local worship of the divinities. He and his family raised most of the known monuments of Bahariya.
The oasis of Bahariya was doubtless prosperous at this time, according to four beautiful tombs of the XXVIth Dynasty discovered in Bahariya: the one of Petishtar, Tjaty, Djedimeniouefankh, and Baennetiu. The two first occupied responsibilities in the administration of the oasis; the two last were simple tradesmen.
These tombs reveal a particularly successful fusion of culture on behalf of those under which fell the responsibility of the oasis and, probably, of the rest of the population.
The tomb preserved a decoration of vivid colours. The mentioned themes are classic, but its craftsmanship is heavy and clumsy. It is certainly not a Master who decorated this tomb, and one sees that we are here far from the Valley and the craftsmen of Deir el Medineh.
Non-the-less, this burial is well worth being seen.