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Wonderful Things Art
Authentic Reproductions of Ancient Egyptian Art by Natalie Watson
Brothers or Lovers? Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep
Reproduction of a tomb painting from the Dynasty 5 Mastaba of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum.
On the western wall of the outer hall of their tomb is a striking portrayal of the two men in close embrace, their noses touching in a pose that is the most intimate allowed in Egyptian art. This has led many to speculate on the relationship of the two men; were they brothers? Twins? Lovers? If the latter were true, they would be the first same-sex couple recorded in history.
Reproduction Details
Object Type
Date
Findspot
Current Location
People Depicted
Deities Depicted
Art Ref
Wall Relief
Dynasty 05
Mastaba of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, Saqqara Necropolis
Mastaba of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, Saqqara Necropolis
Khnumhotep, Niankhkhnum
DP050
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