Number 85
This is a group of cursive hieroglyphic signs, written upside down on the back of the papyrus. It has been suggested that the scribe was merely trying his pen (see Peet, page 128). Eisenlohr attempted to give a meaning to the group, calling it a "Motto," and translating it somewhat as follows: Kill vermin, mice, fresh weeds, numerous spiders. Pray the god Ré' for warmth, wind and high water.
Gunn, however, claims (page 136) that we have here an early example of the so-called enigmatic writing, and gives as a tentative translation, "Interpret this strange matter, which the scribe wrote . . . according to what he knew."
Numbers 86 and 87 are pieces from some other writings pasted on the back of the papyrus to strengthen it or to mend places where it was torn. Number 86 is upside down. My translation of these fragments follows chiefly that of Peet.
Number 86
This seems to be from some account or memorandum. There are three pieces which appear separated in the British Museum Facsimile, but since that was made they have been placed together in their proper relative positions as may be seen in Photograph 31, volume 2. There are eighteen lines, but parts are missing from both ends of the lines. The following is a translation of the words that remain in the eighteen lines:
1. . . . living forever. List of the food in Hebenti . . .
2 . . . his brother the steward Ka-mosè . . .
3 . . . of his year, silver, 50 pieces twice in the year . . .
4. . . . cattle 2, in silver 3 pieces in the year . . .
5. . . . one twice; that is, 1⁄8 and 1⁄6. Now as for one . . .
6. . . . 12 hînu; that is, silver, 1⁄4 piece; one . . .
7. . . . (gold or silver) 5 pieces, their price therefor; fish, 120, twice . . .
8. . . . year, barley, in quadruple hekat, 1⁄21⁄4 of 100 hekat 15 hekat; spelt, 11⁄21⁄4 hekat . . . hekat . . .
9. . . . barley, in quadruple hekat, 1⁄21⁄4 of 100 hekat 15 hekat; spelt, 11⁄21⁄4 times 100 hekat 17 hekat . . .
10. . . . 1461⁄2; barley, 11⁄21⁄4 times 100 hekat 10 hekat; spelt, 300 hekat . . . hekat . . .
11. . . . 1⁄2, there was brought wine, 1 ass(-load?) . . .
12. . . . silver 1⁄2 piece; . . . 4; that is, in silver . . .
13. . . . 11⁄4; fat, 36 hînu; that is, in silver . . .
14. . . . 11⁄21⁄4 times 100 hekat 21 hekat; spelt, in quadruple hekat, 400 hekat 10 hekat
15-18. [These lines are repetitions of line 14.]
