This short extract from Papyrus Abbott describes the inspection of a tomb belonging to Sobekemsaef II, a little known king of Dynasty 17 (circa 1630-1539 B.C.E.). The extract conveys the tone of these texts and the difficulty of locating the tombs described.

The officials of the Great and Noble Necropolis and the Scribe of the Vizier, and the Scribe of the treasury of Pharaoh were sent in order to examine the tombs of the kings of former times and the tombs and resting places of the Blessed. . . by the Mayor of the City and Vizier, Khaemwaset and the Royal Butler Nesyamun, and the Scribe of Pharaoh. . . The Pyramid of King Sehemshedtawy, the Son of Re Sobekemsaef (II) was found and thieves had violated it. It was the work of stone masons in the back of the pyramid, in the...