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no clear evidence ín the sources regarding the temporal order of the career stages as well
as the background of the advancements, and since there are no clear indications regard¬
ing the functional or honorific nature of the titles, the range of actual duties of a ‘royal
wb? outlined in the previous pages might be changed or expanded in respect to new
evidence that may come to light in the future.
II.5.2.2. Duties related to special assignments
The aspect of the special assignments, the second main category of the duties of ‘royal
wb3s’, in these cases usually identified as ‘royal wdpws’, is grouped around four main
areas of activity: mining and quarrying expeditions, arrangements regarding the prep¬
aration of a royal tomb, affairs concerning the workmen at Deir el-Medina, and legal
matters. In addition, there are some tasks that cannot be classified in either category.
II.5.2.2.1. Mining and quarrying expeditions
The participation of these officials in mining and quarrying expeditions is attested
from the reign of Sety I to that of Ramesses IV by seven individuals.** The expeditions
were led to the turquoise mines at Serabit el-Khadim and the copper mines at Bir¬
Nasib and Timna on the Sinai, as well as to the stone quarry at Wadi Hammamat. In
two cases, suggestions can be made about the role of the officials beyond their partici¬
pation. Together with his permanently presented title wdpw nswt ‘royal wdpw’,
Ramessesashahebused, from the time of Sety I and Ramesses II, is identified as hrj-pd.t
qnj valiant troop commander’ on his stelae from Serabit el-Khadim, which title might
indicate his participation in the expedition as the leader of a military unit.” Besides,
on his stele No. 260 he is also designated as hrj Sms n hm=f chief of bodyguard of His
Majesty’, which was obviously a temporary function for this particular expedition re¬
garding the participation of Prince Meriatum, who is represented in the field of the
monument as well.2# It seems that Ramessesashahebused had some sort of military
*4" Ramessesashahebused, Neferrenpet (II), Ramessesemperre, Sobekhotep, Nakhtamun, Usermaatre¬
sekheper, Unknown 4.
»” Schulman, 1964, 30-32, 53-56, 151; Al-Ayedi, 2006, 387. For a discussion on Ramessesashahebused,
see p. 181, for the inscriptions of his stelae, see p. 457-467.
3 The title is connected to the person of the king, as one in this position usually works directly for
him, see in a discussion on Ptahemwia (I) on p. 155., and note 556. Cerny and Spalinger, however,
attribute this title to the other official represented on the stele, namely Amenemope. Cerny, 1955,
180; Spalinger, 1980, 220.