From the Brickfields of Egypt

May combine two claims.

The Abusir brick account records remnants of names of 17 royal officials, probably followed by amounts of bricks now lost, and ends with 'Grand total' and the figure 80.

“Below this are the remnants of names of 17 royal officials of very varied employment probably followed by amounts of bricks (now lost).At the end, an eighteenth column has the phrase 'Grand total' and (in red) the figure 80.”

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

In the Louvre Leather Roll, column VIII:1 records receipt of bricks for Days 2 to 6 totalling 12,390, and Days 9 to 14 totalling 15,200, giving a grand total of 27,590 bricks.

“Elsewhere in the document, one heading (col.VIII: 1) runs, 'Year 5, 1st month of Shomu [Summer], Day 2; copy(?) of receipt of bricks from .. (someone)', followed by numbers of bricks for Days 2 to 6 of that month (totalling 12,390 bricks), and then for Days 9 to 14 explicitly totalled at 15,200 bricks; the grand total would be 27,590 bricks.”

May combine two claims.

The Abusir papyri include a tabulation in three sections, the first of which relates to bricks.

“the miscellaneous accounts include one tabulation in three sections, the first of which relates to bricks.”

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

A variety of stamp-impressed bricks are known, not least of Ramesses II.

“A variety of stampimpressed bricks are known, not least of the notorious Ramesses 11.”

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

Papyrus Reisner I contains a summary stating 'completed for him in brick -39,118 (bricks) by 602 (enrolled labourers)'.

“An added summary remarks: 'completed for him in brick -39,118 (bricks) by 602 (enrolled labourers)'.”

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

Papyrus Reisner III, section E line 14 records assigned for brickwork enrolled men, 200 crossed-out men, x + 124; bricks, 3000 + y, plus further cipherings too damaged to assess.

“Section E, line 14, has: 'assigned for brickwork, enrolled men, 200 [numeral crossed out]men, [x] + 124; bricks, 3000 + [y] ', plus further cipherings too damaged to assess.”

May combine two claims.

Two ostraca of the 13th century BC from Deir el-Medina include mention of bricks; one lists amounts of bricks made for the Door, and the other includes 'bricks, 250'.

“Two ostraca of the 13th century BC from the .workmen's village at Deir el-Medina (W.Thebes) include mention of bricks.The first mentions: '[Amounts?] of bricks made for the Do[or ... ] .[Workmen of] the Right Side: Si-Wadjyt, 1 00; [ ....... x .. ], 1 00; Pennub, [rest lost)'.24 Among very varied accounts, the other includes 'bricks, 250'.”

May combine two claims.

Later 12th Dynasty fragmentary brick accounts include an entry totaling 116,511 bricks, with details of 23,603 bricks of 5 palms and 92,908 bricks of 6 palms under Senbef.

“Later in the 12th Dynasty (c.1850 BC), other fragmentary brick accounts 14 include the entry: '(Bricks), total, 116,511; details-bricks of 5 palms (dimension); 23,603; bricks of 6 palms (dimension); 92,908, under (an official) 15 Senbef.'”

May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

The Louvre Leather Roll, dated to Year 5 of Ramesses II, is a much more extensive document that can now be added to the textual data on bricks in Egypt.

“First published eighty years ago and neglected ever since, this is the 'Louvre Leather Roll', dated to Year 5 of Ramesses 11.”

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

Papyrus Reisner III, section C has a special column of figures for 'serfs making bricks', usually 20 men per day.

“Here, section C (page 3, g) has a special column of figures for 'serfs making bricks', usually 20 men per day.”

May combine two claims.

The painted scene in the tomb-chapel of Rekhmire depicts an Egyptian brickyard with workers drawing water, mixing clay, moulding bricks, measuring bricks, and carrying dried bricks to a building site, with overseers.

“A mixed group of workers (Syrians, Nubians, Egyptians) draw large jarfuls of water from a pool, mix water and clay with their hoes, and mould (or 'strike') row upon row of bricks with a hollow rectangular brickmould.One man measures-off a pile of bricks with his hoe, while others carry off yoke-loads of dried bricks 18 to the building site, shown as a structure reached by a sloping ramp.”

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

The Louvre Leather Roll was used as an erasable note pad, where notations could be washed off in favour of new accounts and calculations.

“This document was used as an erasable 'note pad', whereon one set of notations (once finished with) might simply be washed off in favour of new accounts and calculations.”

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

Papyrus Anastasi IV portrays an official posted at a border-post, among whose ills are 'there are no men to mould bricks and no straw in the district'.

“Among his ills, 'there are no men to mould bricks and no straw in the district'.”

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

Papyrus Reisner III, section F has notes of what was fulfilled for him in ferrying straw or in brickwork, and section J alludes to work on a building with bricks of Thinis.

“Section F has notes of 'what was fulfilled for him in ferrying straw' or 'in brickwork', while section J alludes to work on a building 'with bricks of Thinis' (lines 16,25).”

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

In the Rekhmire scene, there seem to be nine or ten men per overseer.

“While the number of people depicted may simply be adventitious, there seem to be nine or ten men per overseer.”

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

A scrap of papyrus from Gurob once listed personnel to whom bricks had been issued, totalling over 39,000, plus a note of 760 other bricks.

“Finally, a scrap of papyrus from Gurob ('Z') near the Fayum once listed personnel to whom bricks had been issued, totalling over 39,000, plus a note of 760 other bricks.”

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

In the Louvre Leather Roll, column IX:1 records delivery of bricks for Days 2 to 6 amounting to 22,890 bricks.

“The next heading (IX:l) reads '1st Shomu, Day 2: delivery (or, transport) of bricks', with quantities of bricks for Days 2 to 6 that amount to 22,890 bricks.”

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

Papyrus Reisner III Supplemental is much occupied with brick-clay from various sources, obtained under the eye of minor officials.

“Papyrus Reisner Ill Supplemental is much occupied with brick-clay from various sources, obtained under the eye of minor officials.”

May combine two claims.

In Exodus 5, much emphasis is laid on the Hebrews' fulfilling their production-targets for bricks, straw or no straw; this seems particularly true to the emphasis visible in Egyptian documents.

“In Exodus 5, much emphasis is laid on the Hebrews' fulfilling their production-targets for bricks, straw or no straw.This seems particularly true to the emphasis visible in Egyptian documents”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Exodus narrative reliably describes historical conditions of Hebrew brickmaking in Egypt, so that its details can be correlated with Egyptian documentary and pictorial evidence.

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

The presence of foreigners from the Levant in the Rekhmire scene has attracted attention, especially as the setting is Thebes in the Karnak precinct, not the Delta.

“In this scene, it is the presence of foreigners from the Levant (like the Hebrews) that has so often attracted attentionespecially as the setting is not the Delta but some hundreds of miles south at Thebes in the vast Karnak temple-precinct of the god Amun.”

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

The Deir el-Medina worksheets include numerous days when workmen were idle, including men who went to offer to their god; the pharaoh might well have been chary of allowing additional holidays.

“As has been remarked elsewhere, 38 the 'worksheets' of attendances and absences from Deir el-Medina include numerous days when workmen were 'idle', including men who went 'to offer to their god'; the pharaoh, therefore, might well have been chary of allowing any additional holidays!”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Exodus narrative reliably describes historical conditions of Hebrew brickmaking in Egypt, so that its details can be correlated with Egyptian documentary and pictorial evidence.

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

Exodus 1:11 specifies that the Hebrews were building store-cities, Pithom and Ra'amses.

“Only Exodus 1 : 11 is specific -'storecities, Pithom and Ra'amses'.”

• cites Exodus 1:11Not matched

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

May combine two claims.

In the Old Kingdom Abusir papyri, the various palace officials would not themselves have made or furnished bricks for a royal funerary temple; below them must have been workmen and foremen to make and account to them for the bricks required.

“Thus, in the Old Kingdom Abusir papyri, the various palace officials would not themselves have made or furnished bricks for a royal funerary temple; below them must have been workmen and foremen to make and account to them for the bricks required.”

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

The phrase in Papyrus Anastasi III about making quota of bricks daily is strongly reminiscent of Exodus 5:8, 13-14, 18-19.

“a phrase strongly reminiscent of Exodus 5:8, 13-14, 18-19.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Exodus narrative reliably describes historical conditions of Hebrew brickmaking in Egypt, so that its details can be correlated with Egyptian documentary and pictorial evidence.

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

In Pi-Ramesse, the Hebrews and others would certainly not lack employment nor their products ample uses, especially if it were at the command of Ramesses II.

“In this bustling new capital, intended to rival both Memphis and Thebes, 44 the Hebrews (and others) would certainly not lack employment nor their products ample uses, especially if it were at the command of Ramesses 11, quantitatively the greatest of all Egypt's builder-kings.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Exodus narrative reliably describes historical conditions of Hebrew brickmaking in Egypt, so that its details can be correlated with Egyptian documentary and pictorial evidence.

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

The figure 80 for 17 officials in the Abusir account seems remarkably small; if bricks are intended, perhaps 80 multiple units are to be understood.

“The figure '80' for 17 officials seems remarkably small Gust over three units per man); if bricks are indeed intended, 4 then perhaps 80 multiple units are to be understood.”

May combine two claims.

A short section near the end of the Louvre Leather Roll lists five identically phrased entries each reading 'the document of (So & so), 1 skin', confirming the use of such leather scrolls for ephemeral work-accounts that could be erased and replaced repeatedly.

“This heading is followed by five identicallyphrased entries each reading 'the document of (So & so), 1 skin' -i.e., one leather scroll of the type of the Louvre Leather Roll itself.31 This would confirm the use of such leather scrolls for ephemeral work-accounts that could be erased and replaced repeatedly.”

May combine two claims.

The soterim or 'foremen' usage fits the Egyptian setting and is consistent with the use of this word in the rest of the Old Testament down to Chronicles; in varied contexts, soterim tend to be lesser officials and organisers.

“The soterim or 'foremen' is usage that not only fits the Egyptian setting in this case but is also consistent with the use of this word in the rest of the Old Testament right down to Chronicles; in very varied contexts, the soterim tend to be lesser officials and organisers.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Exodus narrative reliably describes historical conditions of Hebrew brickmaking in Egypt, so that its details can be correlated with Egyptian documentary and pictorial evidence.

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

The word nogesim in Exodus 5 is a general term for 'taskmasters', while sare-missim of Exodus 1:11-14 is more specific, 'directors of forced labour', insofar as missim is probably a plural form of mas, 'forced labour, corvée', attested in cuneiform sources of the second millennium BC.

“The word iwgesim in Exodus 5 is a general term for 'taskmasters' (driving people on), while the sare-missim of Exodus I: 11-14 is slightly more specific, 'directors of forced labour', insofar as missirn is probably a plural form of mas, 'forced labour, corv~e ', the latter word being attested in cuneiform sources of the second millennium BC.”

May combine two claims.

The association in the Louvre Leather Roll of bricks, wooden beams and bundles of reeds is no mere accident; plus sand, these are three basic elements used in making constructional scaffolding for massive stone temples characteristic of New Kingdom Egypt.

“The association in one document of bricks, wooden beams and bundles of reeds is no mere accident.Plus sand, these are three basic elements used in making constructional scaffolding when ~recting the massive stone temples”

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

A target of 2000 bricks each for 40 men would imply a total target of 80,000 bricks over an unknown period, which Virey suggested was a month.

“A target of 2000 bricks each for 40 men would imply a total target of 80,000 bricks to be produced over an unknown period of time (Virey suggested a month).”

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

In Exodus 5:1 Moses requests time off for a religious feast, while the king is distinctly less enthusiastic.

“In Exodus 5:1 Moses quite freely requests time off for a religious feast, while the king is distinctly less enthusiastic, particularly for a deity he professes not to know of.”

• cites Exodus 5:1Not matched

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

May combine two claims.

From Exodus 5:5ff., the brickmaking Hebrews had to produce a definite quota but were normally given straw or chaff until Pharaoh decreed they should find their own straw but still maintain their output.

“From Exodus 5:5ff., we learn that the brickmaking Hebrews had to produce a definite quota but were normally given straw or chaff for their taskuntil Pharaoh decreed that they should find their own straw but still maintain their output”

• cites Exodus 5:5ff.Not matched

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

May combine two claims.

The days without brick-deliveries in the Louvre Leather Roll may reflect either rest days or occasions of public festival; 1st Shomu, Day 1, was the date of the feast of the goddess Renenutet.

“These days, therefore, may reflect either 'rest days' (for issue of rations, etc.) or occasions of public festival; 1st Shomu, Day 1, was the date of the feast of the goddess Renenutet (a harvest-festival), for example.”

May combine two claims.

The Louvre Leather Roll with its 40 stablemasters in charge of brick-production offers counterparts to the nogesim, 'taskmasters', of Exodus 5; these 40 men would each have charge of gangs of labourers led by foremen.

“Closer in time to the exodus, from the New Kingdom data, the Louvre Leather Roll with its 40 stablemasters in charge of brick-production offers us counterparts to the nogesim, 'taskmasters', of Exodus 5; these 40 men would each have charge of gangs of labourers led by foremen (as at Deir el-Medina, and earlier in the Reisner papyri).”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Exodus narrative reliably describes historical conditions of Hebrew brickmaking in Egypt, so that its details can be correlated with Egyptian documentary and pictorial evidence.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The use of straw or chaff, tibn in Arabic, for such bricks is still practiced today.

“The use of straw or chafftibn in Arabic, and used for such bricks even today -needs no additional comment here.”

May combine two claims.

In the Deir el-Medina workmen's community, the twin gangs of workmen were led by two foremen appointed from their own number, who along with two scribes were directly responsible to the Theban vizier.

“Here, the twin gangs of workmen were led by two foremen appointed from their own number (as were the Hebrew soterim) who, along with two scribes, were directly responsible in their case to the Theban vizier himself as their superior officer.”

May combine two claims.

Ra'amses is well recognised as the Delta capital Pi-Ramesse, which contained palaces, houses, offices, stores, barracks, etc., all of mud brick, besides stone temples erected using scaffolding and ramps of mud brick, wood and reeds, and enclosed within large mud-brick precincts.

“But Ra'amses is well recognised as the Delta capital Pi-Ramesse, where were to be found palaces, houses, offices, stores, barracks, etc., all of mud brick, besides temples of the principal gods of empire, of stone but erected by use of 'scaffolding' and ramps of mud brick, wood and reeds, and enclosed within large precincts walled massively with mud brick and containing many subsidiary structures”