Hesy-Ra

Hesire (also read Hesy-Re and Hesy-Ra) was an ancient Egyptian high official during the early Third Dynasty of Egypt. His most notable title was Wer-ibeḥsenjw, meaning either "Great one of the ivory cutters" or "Great one of the dentists", which makes him the earliest named dentist. His tomb is noted for its paintings and cedar wood panels.

Identity Thanks to several clay seal impressions found in Hesire's tomb, it is today known that this high official lived and worked during the reign of king (pharaoh) Djoser and maybe also under king Sekhemkhet.

Titles As a high-ranking official and priest, Hesire bore several elite and pious titularies: Confidant of the king (Egyptian: Rekh-neswt). Great one of the "ten of Upper Egypt" (Egyptian: Wer-medi-shemaw). Great one of Peh (Egyptian: Wer-Peh). Great one of the dentists (Egyptian: Wer-ibeḥ-senjw). Elder of the "Qed-hetep" (Egyptian: Semsw-qed-hetep). Chief of the scribes (Egyptian: Medjeh-seschjw). Brother of Min (Egyptian: Sen-Min). Magician of Mehit (Egyptian: Hem-ḥeka-Meḥit).

The most debated title amongst Hesire's many rather unique titles is Wer-ibeḥ-senjw, which can be translated in many ways: ibeh can be translated as either "dentition" or "ivory", and Senjw as "arrows", "cutters" and/or "physicians"; thus, the full title Wer-ibeḥ-senjw can either be translated as "Great one of the ivory cutters" or as "Great one of the dentists". If the former translation is correct, Hesy-Ra was a professional ivory-cutter and artist - a profession that was fairly common and already attested in early dynastic inscriptions. If the latter translation is correct, Hesy-Ra would be the first person in Egyptian history to be officially entitled as an occupational dentist.

The wall paintings discovered inside and outside his tomb are in black, white, yellow, green and red. The figures include rhomboids, stripes and a green-yellowish reed mat imitation. The paintings were in such a good state when found, that the excavators decided to fill the painted corridors with high quality rubble in attempt to preserve the colors. Close-by reliefs reportedly depict daily utensils and even game accessories, such as Mehen game boards and a Senet play set. Khabawsokar, Pehernefer and Metjen, who were also holding office under Huni and Sneferu. All their tomb inscriptions reveal that the time of both kings must have been a very prosperous one, as both economy and office administration flourished.

Tomb

Hesire's tomb, mastaba S-2405, is situated in Saqqara; it was discovered in 1861 by French archaeologists Auguste Mariette and Jacques de Morgan. Excavations started in 1910 and ended in 1912, organized and performed by British archaeologist James Edward Quibell. Hesire's tomb is squeezed in between dozens of others, approximately 260 m north-east of king Djoser's pyramid complex. In its original state, the mastaba was 43 m long, 22 m wide and 5 m high. It was made of hardened mud bricks. Inner and outer walls were once completely and smoothly covered with white limestone. The inner room structure consisted of a long, niched corridor and several rooms and chapels.