| Neferkauhor | |
|---|---|
| Neferkawhor, Chuwihapi, Hapikhufu, Chui[...](?), Khuihapy, Ka(?)puib(i)(?) | |
 The cartouche of Neferkauhor on theAbydos King List | |
| Pharaoh | |
| Reign | Around 2 years, 1 month, and 1 day, c. 2163 – c. 2161 BC |
| Predecessor | PossiblyNeferkaure |
| Successor | PossiblyNeferirkare |
| Children | Nebyet |
| Died | c. 2161 BC |
| Dynasty | 8th Dynasty |
Neferkauhor Khuwihapi (diedc. 2161 BC) was anancient Egyptianking of theEighth Dynasty during the earlyFirst Intermediate Period (2181–2055 BC), at a time when Egypt was possibly divided between severalpolities.Neferkauhor was the sixteenth and penultimate[3] king of the Eighth Dynasty and as such would have ruled over theMemphite region.[4][5] Neferkauhor reigned for little over 2 years[6] and is one of the best attested kings of this period with eight of his decrees surviving in fragmentary condition to this day.[7]
A total of eight[5] different decrees found in the temple ofMin atCoptos are attributed to Neferkauhor and survive to this day in fragmentary condition.[8] Four of these decrees, inscribed on limestone slabs, were given in 1914 by thephilanthropistEdward Harkness to theMetropolitan Museum of Art, where there are now on display in Gallery 103.[9]
Seven out of the eight decrees were issued on a single day[5] of the first year of reign of Neferkauhor, perhaps on the day of his accession to the throne.[7] The year in question is given the name of "Year of Uniting the Two Lands". In the first decree Neferkauhor bestows titles to his eldest daughter Nebyet, wife of avizier namedShemay. He attributes her a bodyguard, the commandant of soldiers Khrod-ny (also read Kha’redni[10]), and orders the construction of a sacred barque for a god called "Two-Powers", perhaps the syncretized godHorus-Min.[7][10]
The second and best preserved of the decrees concerns the appointment of Shemay's son,Idy, to the post of governor ofUpper Egypt, ruling over the seven southernmostnomes fromElephantine toDiospolis Parva:[1][7]
The Horus Netjerbau. Sealed in the presence of the king himself in the Month 2 [ofPeret, Day 20]. Royal decree to the count, the over[seer of priests, Idy]: you are appointed count, governor of Upper Egypt, overseer of priests in this same Upper Egypt, which [is under] your supervision southward to Nubia, northward to the Sistrum nome, functioning as count, overseer of priests, chief of the rulers of towns who are under your supervision, in place of your father, the father of the god, beloved of the god, the hereditary prince, mayor of the [pyramid ci]ty, chief justice, vizier, keeper of the king's archives, [count, governor of Upper Egypt, overseer of priests, Shemay. No] one [shall have rightfull claim against it]...
The third and fourth decrees are partially preserved on a single fragment. They record Neferkauhor giving Idy's brother a post in the temple of Min and possibly also informing Idy about it.[7] This last decree records why the decrees were found in the temple of Min:[1][7]
[My majesty commands you to post] the words [of this decree at the gate]way of the temple of Min [of Coptos forever] and ever. There is sent the sole companion, Hemy's son, Intef, concerning it. Sealed in the presence of the [king] himself in the Year of Uniting the Two Lands, Month 2 of Peret, Day 20."
The remaining decrees concern the appointment of mortuary priests to the chapels of Nebyet and Shemay as well as ordering inventories at the temple of Min.[5]
Beyond the decrees Neferkauhor is also attested by two inscriptions on a wall inShemay's tomb. They are dated to the first year of his reign, Month 4 ofShemu, Day 2.[11] The inscriptions report the bringing of stone from theWadi Hammamat (Coptos is the starting point for expeditions to this Wadi). The inscriptions are partly destroyed, but seem to mention that the work was done within 19 days. From the Wadi Hammamat are known three rock inscriptions reporting the bringing of a stone. One of the texts is dated under year one of an unnamed king. In two of the inscriptions an Idy is also mentioned. If this Idy is identical to the one known from the decrees, the inscriptions also refer to this expedition under the king.[12]
| Preceded by PossiblyNeferkaure | King of Egypt c. 2163 – c. 2161 BC | Succeeded by PossiblyPepi III |
