(10) Scenes from the harvest from the tomb of Seshem-nefer IV
Giza, Southern Cemetery, Mastaba LG 53, Old Kingdom, Dynasty VI, about 2280 B.C.

The growing of grains was a priority because the two most important "staffs of life" -- bread and beer -- were made from barley and emmer, the latter an early historic wheat variety. Harvest scenes are generally included within the decorative program on tomb walls in order to provision adequately the deceased in the hereafter. This relief was originally in the room immediately before his cult chamber. Despite the fact that the scene of sowing is not shown in this detail, the remaining scenes provide an adequate picture of a typical harvest. As preserved, the present top register depicts the harvest of barley in the presence of inspectors. In the lower register on the left one sees donkeys, heavily laden with cereal piled high on their backs, being led to the threshing floor. One of them is then shown being unloaded.

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