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Brothers or Lovers? Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep

Reproduction of a tomb painting from the Dynasty 5 Mastaba of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum.

Brothers or Lovers? Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep

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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