THE ROOMS AT THE END OF THE FIRST SUBTERRANEAN LEVEL

After we finished working in the First Pillared Hall, we began to clear the shrine of Osiris - at the end of the main axis of the monument - and the two rooms attached to the south and north sides of it. The former leads to the corridor surrounding the entire subterranean level of the monument and has a shaft opening along the eastern wall; the latter once contained a rock-carved seated statue of Harwa (Fig. 5). Excavations in this part of the tomb proved to be very difficult due to the narrow size of the spaces. Removal of the debris showed that the floor of the shrine is 15 cm lower than expected and that the image of Osiris is carved in the rear wall at a height of about 40 cm from the floor. A series of stairs leading to the figure of the god was also discovered (Fig. 6).

The image of Osiris is smaller than life-size and is visible from the entrance of the First Pillared Hall. The reduced dimensions of the image give the impression that it is further away than in reality, and are intended to create a false perspective. In this case, we can speak of a real trompe-l’oeil, an optical effect aimed at giving a different architectural perception of the monument. Other than the reduced dimensions, the flight of stairs and the two false lintels framing the image of Osiris – all imitating the corresponding structures of a temple – contribute to the impression of distance. To our knowledge, this feature can be considered the most ancient example of trompe-l’oeil, and its meaning is a conceptual one. Increasing the distance between the observer and the statue of Osiris is ideologically intended to postpone the meeting between the man and the god, or the irreversible moment of the death, necessary step to attain the eternal life.

Fragments belonging to the rock-carved statue of Harwa were found. They clearly show that the statue was unfinished. The floor of the statue room is higher than that of the shrine of Osiris. They are connected by a series of stairs that is 25 cm high.

Two postholes were discovered in correspondence with the shaft in the room leading to the corridor surrounding the tomb. These holes were probably for the insertion of a wooden structure intended to lower something of heavy (possibly a coffin). The shaft is 9-10 m deep and must be considered secondary. The main one is located at the end of a suite of rooms which is entered through a shaft in the north-western corner of the floor in the Second Pillared Hall. An accurate exploration of the deeper levels of the monument allowed us to ascertain that the walls of the room just past the main shaft were once decorated with scenes of subterranean demons and boats carrying deities. Traces of an image of Nut, depicted in complete front view, were also noticed on the ceiling.

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