The House of Records

Excerpt from: The Inscription of Harkhuf (Sixth Dynasty)

The Count, Sole Companion, Lector-Priest, chamber-attendant, Judge attatched to Nekhen, Lord of Nekheb, Treasurer of the King of Lower Egypt, Overseer of Caravans, Head of all affairs of the South, who sets the terror of Horus among the (foreign) countries, who does that which his lord praises,.. the revered by Ptah-Sokar, Harkhuf. He Says:

... His Majesty sent me...to Yam. I went forth..upon the Wehaat Road, and I found the Chief of Yam going to the land of Tjemeh to smite Tjemeh as far as the western corner of heaven. I went forth after him to the land of Tjemeh and I pacified him, until he had praised all the gods for the king's sake.............

I descended with 300 asses laden with incense, ebony, heknu, grain, panthers.., ivory, throw-sticks, and every good product. Now when the Chief of Irtjet, Setju, and Wawaat saw how strong and numerous was the troop of Yam, which descended with me to the court, and the soldiers who had been sent with me, (then) this (Chief) brought and gave to me bulls and small cattle, and conducted me to the roads of the highlands of Irtjet, because I was more excellent, vigilant...than any count, companion, or overseer of caravans who had been sent to Yam before. Now, when I was descending to the court, the king sent the .. Sole Companion, the Master of the Bath, Khuni, up-stream with a vessel laden with date-wine, cakes, bread and beer.

(So says) The Count, Wearer of the Royal Seal, Sole Companion, Ritual Priest, Treasurer of the god, Privy Councillor of Decrees, the revered, Harkhuf.

A letter to Harkhuf from King Pepi II (aged about 8)

Royal Seal, Year 2, third month of the first season, day 15. Royal decree (to) the Sole Companion, the Ritual Priest and Overseer of Caravans, Harkhuf.

I have noted the matter of this thy letter, which thou hast sent to the king, to the palace, in order that One might know that thou hast descended in safety from Yam with the army which was with thee. Thou hast said (in) this thy letter, that thou hast brought all great and beautiful gifts, which Hathor, mistress of Imaaw, hath given to the ka of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt Nefer-ka-re [ i.e., Pepi II], who liveth forever and ever. Thou hast said in this thy letter, that thou hast brought a dancing dwarf of the god from the land of spirits, like the dwarf which the Treasurer-of-the-god Bawer-djed brought from Punt in the time of King Isesi. Thou hast said to my majesty: "Never before has one like him been brought by any other who has visited Yam."

Come northward to the court immediately... thou shalt bring this dwarf with thee,.. living, prosperous and healthy from the land of spirits, for the dances of the god, to rejoice and gladden the heart of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nefer-ka-re (Pepi II), who lives forever. When he goes down with thee into the boat, appoint excellent people, who shall be beside him on each side of the vessel; take care lest he fall into the water! When (he) sleeps at night appoint excellent people who shall sleep beside him in his tent; inspect ten times a night! My majesty desires to see this dwarf more than the gifts of Sinai and of Punt! If thou arrivest at court, this dwarf being with thee alive, prosperous and healthy, my majesty will do for thee a greater thing than that which was done for the Treasurer of the god, Bawer-djed, in the time of King Isesi, according to the heart's desire of my majesty to see this dwarf!

Commands have been sent to the Chief of the New Towns, the Companion, and Superior Prophet, to command that sustenance be taken from him in every store-city and every temple, without stinting therein.