The Papyrus Berlin P. 10500 A-B and the Region of Sharuna

Summary

This paper deals with the geography of the region of Sharuna in Middle Egypt. It focuses especially on the toponym wwt-n(y)-Sbk inscribed on P. 10500 A-B, also called “Sharuna Papyrus”. Because the document lacks an exact archaeological provenance, this study is of major interest. Similar place names (wt + nominal genitive) are analysed. Based on the results obtained, it is highly conceivable that wwt-n(y)-cbk was in the vicinity of the ancient wt-nsw. The geographical situation of Sharuna, the topography of Middle Egypt, the state policy during the III^rd millennium in the region and finally the local belief represent elements that fit particularly well with the information conveyed by the place name wwt-n(y)-cbk. Moreover, considering the contents of P. 10500 A-B, an original location of the papyrus in the tomb of one of the of Kom el-Ahmar/Sawaris has been suggested.