Model of Nubian Archers from the Tomb of Mesehti

These wooden models of 40 Nubian archers are grouped together on the same pedestal and arranged in 10 rows of four. They were found in the Tomb of Mesehti at Asyut. Each archer is holding in one hand a bow and in the other a bunch of arrows.

They are wearing red kilts with green designs and a flap of cloth in the center decorated with green geometrical designs. They wear black curled wigs, white headbands, anklets, and necklaces. The whites of their eyes give life to the black bodies. The archers are all shown barefoot, with their left legs stretched forward so that they appear to be marching in unison with long strides.

Mesehti was an ancient Egyptian nomarch of the 13th nomos of Upper Egypt, seal-bearer and Overseer of the Priests of Wepwawet. Middle Kingdom, 11th Dynasty, around 2000 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 30969