CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 0Ancient Egypt and ArchaeologyHistorical Astronomy and Related StudiesClassical Antiquity Studies

The reign of Sety I from the absolute chronology. A chronological exercise from oDeM 21

Open access
Lull, José, Navarro-López, Diana·2024·Revista del Instituto de Historia Antigua Oriental
DOI 10.34096/rihao.n25.16269
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

The length and exact chronological position of the reign of Sety I continue to be a subject of discussion among specialists in Egyptian chronology. Fortunately, various astronomical ephemerides linked to the reign of Ramesses II and other monarchs help establish effectively an absolute chronology for the reign of Ramesses II. This is essential when addressing, with complementary astronomical documentation, a precise chronology of the reign of Sety I. In the following lines we will address this issue, emphasizing the importance that ostracon DeM 21 could have.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The authors use the lunar date implied by ostracon DeM 21 (II Shemu 25, 51 inhet-jars of beer) to test whether it can be tied to the Beautiful Feast of the Valley in year 3 of Sety I, and from that to propose an absolute chronology for his reign. They conclude that if the link holds, Sety I reigned 12 full years, from 1291 to 1279 BC.

Key findings

  • oDeM 21 records only "II Shemu 25" and "Beer: 51 inhet-jars" — no king and no regnal year — but Kitchen and Helck associated it with year 3 of Sety I and with the Beautiful Feast of the Valley, which began with the new moon (LD 1) of II Shemu.
  • Calculating when II Shemu 25 fell on LD 1 between 1295 and 1280 BC, the authors find the coincidence on 1 May 1288 BC (Julian) (Table 1).
  • If oDeM 21 belongs to the BFV of year 3 of Sety I and year 1 of Ramesses II began in 1279 BC, "the reign of Sety I should have a length of 12 full years, beginning in 1291 BC and ending almost in the middle of 1279 BC" (Fig. 3; Table 2).
  • The paper accepts Van Dijk's re-reading of the Gebel Barkal stela (Khartoum Museum 1856) as "year 3" rather than Reisner's "year 11," making the Kanais text B date (Year 9, III Shemu 20) the highest known date of the reign; it argues the Kanais text implies work extending through at least year 10.

Methods

  • A chronological/archaeoastronomical exercise: the authors combine lunar dates (the Leiden I 350 papyrus date of year 52, II Peret 27 of Ramesses II; the Deir el-Bahari graffiti DB 3 and DB 10) with the festival calendar of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, which states the BFV begins on LD 1 of II Shemu.
  • They compute the Julian dates on which II Shemu 25 coincided with LD 1 across 1295–1280 BC (Table 1) and build a reign-by-reign scheme from Ay to Sety I using accepted coronation dates and highest known dates (Table 2).
  • The anchor is the widely considered equivalence of 1279 BC with year 1 of Ramesses II (Hornung et al. 2006; Krauss 2007, 2015), with Ramesses II's coronation on III Shemu 27.

Limitations

  • The authors state explicitly that "the characteristics of oDeM 21 do not allow us to affirm the conclusions proposed in this paper," calling it a chronological exercise whose validity could only be shown by deeper analysis of other similar documents of Sety I; they also cite Krauss (2016: 364) that a "definite conclusion is not possible, since whether the delivery was indeed for the Feast of the Valley and whether oDeM 21 dates to 3 Sety I both remain open."
  • Evident from the text: oDeM 21 carries no royal name or regnal year, so its attribution to Sety I rests on Helck's analogy with oCG 25704 and oDeM 1–28 (Dorn 2011 disagrees), and the beer volume is itself uncertain — about 637 litres at 12.5 litres per inhet-jar (Janssen 1975) or 1300 litres at 25.5 litres (Frood 2003).
  • Evident from the text: the absolute chronology depends on the contested 1279 BC anchor (Huber 2011 prefers 1315 BC; Gautschy 2014 also considers 1304 BC), and the reign lengths in Table 2 are described as hypothetical and not necessarily based on the highest known dates.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.34096/rihao.n25.16269

Cites

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 45 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    If we calculate in which moment between 1295 and 1280 BC II Shemu 25 coincided with a LD 1, we see that on May 1, 1288 BC (Julian) this coincidence occurred.

    “If, as a test, we calculatefoot_6 in which moment between 1295 and 1280 BC (that is, within the probable years of the reign of Sety I considered by most of the authors) II Shemu 25 coincided with a LD 1, we see that on May 1, 1288, BC (Julian) this coincidence occurred (see Table 1):”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingcitation

    The highest dated document of Ramesses I is a stela found in Buhen (Louvre C57) from year 2, II Peret 20.

    “the highest dated document we have of Ramesses I is a stela found in Buhen (Louvre C57) (KRI I, 2: 9) from year 2, II Peret 20”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites KRI I, 2: 9

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Findingreasoning

    Ramesses I has no reliable data on his coronation date.

    “Ramesses I has no reliable data on his coronation date”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingcitation

    In year 13 of Horemheb, there is a jar docketed in III Akhet.

    “In year 13 of Horemheb, for example, there is a jar docketed in III Akhet (Martin, 1979: 15, pl.III 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Martin, 1979: 15, pl.III 2

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Findingnone given

    Not all the years between 1 and 9 of Sety I are documented in the hieratic notes on amphorae sherds.

    “Regarding the hieratic notes on amphorae sherds, it should be noted that not all the years between 1 and 9 are documented.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 33
  • May combine two claims. 21

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    oDeM 21 does not include the reign of any monarch, nor the year of reign.

    “As can be seen, it does not include the reign of any monarch, nor the year of reign.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    The coronation date of Sety I is not known with certainty.

    “The coronation date of Sety I is not known with certainty, but several proposals have been offered based on the interpretation of various documents.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Bierbrier concluded a reign of at least 15 years by analyzing the years in which HPA Bakenkhonsu held his various positions; however, this method was proven wrong by Jansen-Winkeln.

    “Bierbrier (1972: 303) concluded a reign of at least 15 years by analyzing the years in which HPA Bakenkhonsu held his various positions; however, this method was proven wrong by Jansen-Winkeln (1993).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Bierbrier, 1972: 303

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Jansen-Winkeln, 1993

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Redford concluded that the best option for Sety I's coronation is between II Shemu 30 and I Akhet 2, specifically IV Shemu 23.

    “Redford (1986: 113 n. 46), on the other hand, observed that in the pRollin 1889 there is an uninterrupted sequence, without a change of year, between III Akhet 21 to II Shemu [29], which implies that the change of year should be between II Shemu 30 and III Akhet 21.Taking into account that there is no change of year either between III Akhet 8 and IV Akhet 30 or between I Akhet 2 and III Akhet 6, t”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Redford, 1986: 113 n. 46

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Servajean follows that Ramesses I and Sety I total 17 years.

    “Servajean (2014: 316 n. 3) follows that Ramesses I and Sety I total 17 years;”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Servajean, 2014: 316 n. 3

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Krauss leaves open a reign of Sety I from 1293 BC, respecting year 1 of Ramesses II in 1279 BC, which means 14 full years.

    “Krauss (2016: 358) leaves open a reign of Sety I from 1293 BC, respecting the year 1 of Ramesses II in 1279 BC, which means 14 full years;”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Krauss, 2016: 358

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Brand accepts as the best option for Sety I's coronation the date provided by Helck: III Shemu 24.

    “However, Brand (2000: 302) accepts as the best option the date provided by Helck: III Shemu 24.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Brand, 2000: 302

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The date year 52, II Peret 27 of Ramesses II matches 1239 BC if Ramesses II reigned 1290-1223 BC, or 1228 BC if his reign began in 1279 BC.

    “Initially, the date was recognized as matching with the year 1239 BC if placing the reign of Ramesses II between 1290 and 1223 BC (Rowton, 1948: 69;Parker, 1957: 43;Janssen, 1961: 4), or with 1228 BC if the reign, as we shall consider, began in 1279 BC (Casperson, 1988).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Rowton, 1948: 69

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Parker, 1957: 43

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Janssen, 1961: 4

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    If the wine of year 8 is related to the last vintage of Sety I prior to his burial in KV17, it would be unfeasible to postulate a long reign of Sety I.

    “If the wine of year 8 is related to the last vintage of Sety I prior to his burial in KV17, certainly, it would be unfeasible to postulate a long reign of Sety I, as the up to the 15 years proposed by some authors.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The wine of year 8 is related to the last vintage of Sety I prior to his burial in KV17.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    According to Helck, Sety I's coronation took place in III Shemu 24.

    “According to Helck (1966: 233-234;1990: 207-208), it took place in III Shemu 24, a date that in oGardiner 11 (year 6 of Ramesses VI) is remembered as Xnw n %ty, a term that has been linked to the celebration of the king's coronation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Helck, 1966: 233-234

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Helck, 1990: 207-208

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Murnane defined a period between III Shemu 18 and IV Shemu 23 for Sety I's coronation, giving IV Shemu 2 more options.

    “Murnane (1976: 23-33), on the other hand, defined a period between III Shemu 18 and IV Shemu 23, giving for IV Shemu 2 more options.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Murnane, 1976: 23-33

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Kitchen proposes a reign of 11-15 years for Sety I.

    “Kitchen (2000: 42-43) also proposes a reign of 11-15 years;”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kitchen, 2000: 42-43

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Brand concludes that the works begun by Sety I in year 9 in the quarries of Aswan were largely unfinished.

    “On the other hand, Brand (1997: 106) concludes that the works begun by the monarch in year 9 in the quarries of Aswan, to produce an important set of obelisks and statues, were largely unfinished.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Brand, 1997: 106

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This initial date implies a whole time of subsequent work that must include the location and excavation of the water well, the establishment of the mining settlement and also the excavation, construction and decoration of the speos of Sety I at Kanais.

    “That is to say, this initial date implies a whole time of subsequent work that must include the location and excavation of the water well, the establishment of the mining settlement and also the excavation, construction and decoration of the speos of Sety I at Kanais.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The characteristics of oDeM 21 do not allow the paper to affirm its proposed conclusions.

    “Finally, we must emphasize again that the characteristics of oDeM 21 do not allow us to affirm the conclusions proposed in this paper”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The death of Tutankhamun possibly occurred in III-IV Peret, since some botanical elements introduced in his tomb at the time of his burial seem to have been collected during the months of March or April.

    “The death of Tutankhamun possibly occurred in III-IV Peret, since some botanical elements introduced in his tomb at the time of his burial seem to have been collected during the months of March or April (Krauss, 1996).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Krauss, 1996

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    In that alternative scenario, Ramesses I's reign would have lasted at least 1 year and 5 months.

    “In this case, Ramesses I reign would have lasted at least 1 year and 5 months.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The paper's chronology can be considered a chronological exercise whose validity could only be demonstrated with more in-depth analysis of other similar documents of Sety I.

    “but at least it can be considered as a chronological exercise whose validity or not could only be demonstrated with a more in-depth analysis of other similar documents of Sety I.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    The Beautiful Feast of the Valley lasted only two days and the offerings were presented on these days.

    “The Feast lasted only two days and the offerings were presented on these days.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationown data

    Ramesses I's reign included 2 full years.

    “Ramesses I 1293-1291 BC | III-IV Peret (?) | Year 2, II Peret 20 (Louvre C57) | 2”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Ay's reign began in III or IV Peret of 1313 BC and ended in II Akhet of 1308 BC, giving him 5 full years and 5 or 6 months of his sixth year.

    “Beginning the reign of Ay in III or IV Peret of 1313 BC (the Julian year 1313 BC began in II Peret 18) and ending in II Akhet of 1308 BC, Ay would have been on the throne 5 full years and 5 or 6 months of his sixth year.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Horemheb's reign began in II Akhet of 1308 BC and ended in the middle of the Julian year 1293 BC, giving him 14 full years and about 9 or 10 months of his year 15.

    “Beginning the reign of Horemheb in II Akhet of 1308 BC and ending in the middle of the Julian year 1293 BC, Horemheb would have reigned 14 full years and about 9 or 10 months of his year 15 (III-IV Shemu, that is, near the beginning of the grape harvest).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: In Egypt, the grape harvest season begins in May and ends in September, and temperature affects ripening.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    In this case, here we have figures similar to those we propose, although it is true that other epitomes offer different data.

    “In this case, here we have figures similar to those we propose, although it is true that other epitomes offer different data.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    If oDeM 21 is associated with the BFV of year 3 of Sety I, and furthermore we consider that year 1 of Ramesses II began in 1279 BC, the reign of Sety I should have a length of 12 full years, beginning in 1291 BC and ending almost in the middle of 1279 BC.

    “If oDeM 21 is associated with the BFV of year 3 of Sety I, and furthermore we consider that year 1 of Ramesses II began in 1279 BC, the reign of Sety I should have a length of 12 full years, beginning in 1291 BC and ending almost in the middle of 1279 BC (Fig. 3).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: oDeM 21 is associated with the Beautiful Feast of the Valley of year 3 of Sety I.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    If Cherres corresponds to Kheperkheperure (Ay) and Armais to Horemheb, it is possible to think that the years assigned to one and the other have been mistakenly interchanged.

    “If Cherres corresponds to Kheperkheperure (Ay) and Armais to Horemheb, it is possible to think that the years assigned to one and the other have been mistakenly interchanged.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Cherres corresponds to Kheperkheperure (Ay) and Armais to Horemheb.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    After Frood, this kind of jars are associated with festival or temple offerings, and oDeM 21 is included among them.

    “After Frood (2003: 59 n. 174), this kind of jars are associated with festival or temple offerings, and oDeM 21 is included among them.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Frood, 2003: 59 n. 174

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The highest known date of Ay is year 4, IV Akhet 1 (Berlin 2074), about 4 or 5 months before starting year 5 in III-IV Peret.

    “On the other hand, the highest known date of Ay is year 4, IV Akhet 1 (Berlin 2074) (Urk.IV, 2110: 13), about 4 or 5 months before starting year 5 in III-IV Peret.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Urk.IV, 2110: 13

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    If the Josephus/Theophilus reference were true, Ramesses I's reign would have begun at least in II Peret and lasted at least 1 year and 5 months.

    “it would be necessary to admit a reign that began at least in II Peret and lasted at least 1 year and 5 months”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Theophilus of Antioch grants Sethos 10 years, so Redford accepts a 10-year long reign for Sety I.

    “However, Theophilus of Antioch grants Sethos 10 years (Waddell, 1940: 111), so taking this secondary source as good, Redford (1967: 211) accepts a 10-year long reign for Sety I.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Waddell, 1940: 111

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Redford, 1967: 211

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    If Ay's reign lasted 6 full years and Horemheb's coronation was in II Akhet of 1307 BC, Horemheb's reign could have extended for 14 full years until the end of 1293 BC.

    “On the other hand, if the reign of Ay lasted for 6 full years and the coronation of Horemheb was carried out in II Akhet of 1307 BC, his reign could have extended, for 14 full years, until the end of 1293 BC.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In the case of Horemheb, the coronation date is not documented, although Hornung proposed II Akhet.

    “In the case of Horemheb, the coronation date is not documented, although Hornung (1964: 38-39) proposed II Akhet.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hornung, 1964: 38-39

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The coronation of Ramesses II took place on III Shemu 27, as Helck and Krauss originally concluded.

    “On the other hand, the coronation of Ramesses II took place on III Shemu 27, as Helck (1959: 118-120) and Krauss (1977: 147-148) originally concluded.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Helck, 1959: 118-120

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Krauss, 1977: 147-148

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Although year 5 of Ay is not documented, the length of his reign is unknown and he could have ruled for as long as 5 or even 6 full years.

    “Although year 5 of Ay is not documented, the length of his reign is unknown and he could have ruled for as long as 5 or even 6 full years.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The enormous amount of beer mentioned in oDeM 21, about 637 liters assuming a minimum capacity of 12.5 liters per jnHt jar or even 1300 liters considering 25.5 per jnHt jar, being delivered in II Shemu, made Kitchen associate it with offerings linked to the Beautiful Feast of the Valley.

    “But the enormous amount of beer mentioned, about 637 liters, assuming a minimum capacity of 12.5 liters per jnHt jar (Janssen, 1975: 434) or even 1300 liters considering 25,5 per jnHt jar (Frood, 2003: 57), being delivered in II Shemu, made Kitchen (RITANC I, 257-258) associate it with offerings linked to the Beautiful Feast of the Valley.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Janssen, 1975: 434

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Frood, 2003: 57

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Kitchen, RITANC I, 257-258

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The full years in Table 2 are hypothetical and are not necessarily based on the highest known dates of the reigns mentioned.

    “The full years are hypothetical and are not necessarily based on the highest known dates of the reigns mentioned.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Kitchen postulated that the inscription of oDeM 21 should belong to a group of inscriptions linked to year 3 of Sety I.

    “Kitchen (RITANC I: 257-258), on the other hand, postulated that this inscription should belong to a group of inscriptions linked to year 3 of Sety I:”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kitchen, RITANC I: 257-258

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Valbelle associates a series of ostraca with specific years to Sety I: year 1: oDeM 30; year 2: oCairo 25704, oBM 50728 and label 6110; year 3: oDeM 5, 7-9, 13, 18, 23 and 24; years 7 and 9: oDeM 91 and oBerlin P 10840; year 8: label 6422.

    “Valbelle (1985: 164 n. 3) also associates a series of ostraca with specific years to Sety I: year 1: oDeM 30; year 2: oCairo 25704, oBM 50728 and label 6110; year 3: oDeM 5, 7-9, 13, 18, 23 and 24; years 7 and 9: oDeM 91 and oBerlin P 10840; year 8: label 6422.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Valbelle, 1985: 164 n. 3

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Helck (unlike Dorn) also includes oDeM 21 within a group of ostraca from year 3 of Sety I.

    “Helck (2002: 40) -unlike Dorn (2011: 33)-also includes it within a group of ostraca from year 3 of Sety I, of which it is worth highlighting oDeM 20 (II Shemu 12), since it mentions a batch of 60 jnHt jars, DeM 25 (II Shemu [1]3) with 85 great jnHt jars, or oDeM 19 (II Shemu 8) with 54 jnHt jars.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Helck, 2002: 40

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Dorn, 2011: 33

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Helck argued that the similarity between oCG 25704, from year 2 of Sety I, and oDeM 1-28, meant that oDeM 21 should be dated to the same reign.

    “Helck (2002: 40), however, argued that the similarity between oCG 25704, from year 2 of Sety I, and oDeM 1-28, meant that the latter should be dated to the same reign.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Helck, 2002: 40

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Even considering that we start from a series of premises, given that the Beautiful Feast of the Valley took place at the beginning of the lunar month on II Shemu, oDeM 21 could have an obvious chronological utility.

    “But, even considering that we start from a series of premises, given that this celebration took place at the beginning of the lunar month on II Shemu, oDeM 21 could have an obvious chronological utility.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
40 of 40

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    oDeM 21 is associated with the Beautiful Feast of the Valley of year 3 of Sety I.

    “If oDeM 21 is associated with the BFV of year 3 of Sety I, and furthermore we consider that year 1 of Ramesses II began in 1279 BC, the reign of Sety I should have a length of 12 full years, beginning in 1291 BC and ending almost in the middle of 1279 BC (Fig. 3).”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The wine of year 8 is related to the last vintage of Sety I prior to his burial in KV17.

    “If the wine of year 8 is related to the last vintage of Sety I prior to his burial in KV17, certainly, it would be unfeasible to postulate a long reign of Sety I, as the up to the 15 years proposed by some authors.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Van Dijk's proposal that the Gebel Barkal stela date is year 3, not year 11, is accepted.

    “If we accept Van Dijk's proposal -as, in fact, many researchers already accept (for example, Masquelier-Loorius, 2013: 28-29)-, the document with the highest date of the reign of Sety I would be the inscription of text B from Kanais (Year 9, 6 III Shemu 20), 7 in Wadi Abad, about 50 km east of Edfu.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Cherres corresponds to Kheperkheperure (Ay) and Armais to Horemheb.

    “If Cherres corresponds to Kheperkheperure (Ay) and Armais to Horemheb, it is possible to think that the years assigned to one and the other have been mistakenly interchanged.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In Egypt, the grape harvest season begins in May and ends in September, and temperature affects ripening.

    “Nowadays, in Egypt, the grape harvest season begins in May and ends in September, but low temperatures during the growing season can slow down the plant growth and the high temperatures can accelerate ripening.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A limited monumental legacy indicates a short reign.

    “taking into account the limited monumental legacy of Ramesses I”
6 of 6

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Conflicting candidate kings for DB 32

    Minor

    The main text gives Ramesses VI or Ramesses X as the possible king for DB 32, while its accompanying note gives Ramesses VI or Ramesses IX. The second alternative differs.

  • DB 10 is both assigned to Ramesses III and treated as uncertain

    Minor

    The paper first identifies the year 7, III Shemu 9 event as belonging to Ramesses III, but later says the same DB 10 inscription could belong to Ramesses III or Ramesses VII because it does not name the king.

2 of 2

Related

Authors
Lull, J., & Navarro-López, D.
Affiliations
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ES)
ORCID
Lull, José
Venue
Revista del Instituto de Historia Antigua Oriental
Publisher
Universidad de Buenos Aires
Published
2024-12-26
Issue
25
ISSN
  • 0325-1209 (ISSN-L)
  • 2683-9660
DOI
10.34096/rihao.n25.16269
OpenAlex
W4405858823
Semantic Scholar
5dbd1bcf63e359163e97068dd2dbf5fd076f2322
Cited by
0
References
0
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Revista del Instituto de Historia Antigua Oriental (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Revista del Instituto de Historia Antigua Oriental (publishedVersion)
  • Repositorio Digital Institucional de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (Universidad de Buenos Aires) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Historical Astronomy and Related Studies
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › Classical Antiquity Studies
Keywords
absolute chronology, Egyptian chronology, astronomical ephemerides, Ramesses II, New Kingdom Egypt

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-26.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-26.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review