Nehsi facts for kids

Nehsi was an important official who worked for the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Hatshepsut. A pharaoh was like a king or queen who ruled Egypt. Nehsi's name meant "He of Nubia," which suggests he might have come from the land of Nubia, located south of Egypt.

Who Was Nehsi?

Nehsi held several very important jobs in ancient Egypt. One of his main roles was the Wearer of the Royal Seal. This meant he was in charge of official documents and making sure they were correct. He also served as the chief treasurer, which was a big responsibility. As treasurer, he managed all the money and wealth for Pharaoh Hatshepsut and the entire Egyptian kingdom.

The Famous Punt Expedition

Nehsi is most famous for his role in a huge journey to a faraway land called Punt. This journey was ordered by Pharaoh Hatshepsut. You can see pictures of him and this trip carved into the walls of Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahri. These carvings are known as the "Punt Reliefs."

The carvings show that Nehsi was responsible for sending out this important expedition. Some historians believe he might have even led the entire journey himself.

What Was the Expedition Like?

The journey to Punt was a big deal! The expedition team traveled on five large ships. Each ship was about 70 feet long. On board each ship were 210 people, including sailors who steered the boats and 30 rowers who helped power them.

The people on this trip weren't just soldiers or sailors. There were also people whose job was to record everything they saw. They wrote down details about the animals (fauna), plants (flora), and the people who lived in Punt. This was like an early scientific mission to explore and learn about a new place.

Where Was Nehsi Buried?

Nehsi was buried in a special tomb in a place called Saqqara. His tomb was carved right into the rock.