May (governor)


May was an ancient Egyptian official of the New Kingdom who was in office under king Thutmosis III.
May is known from his tomb in Qaw el-Kebir and from one, perhaps even from two statues. He bears the titles mayor and overseer of priest. He was therefore most likely the local governor at Qaw el-Kebir, ancient Tjebu.
The tomb of May was excavated at Qaw el-Kebir. It has several underground chamber. In the tomb were found the fragments of his sarcophagus, that was smashed into pieces. The sarcophagus was decorated on the inside and on the outside, providing the names and titles of May
May is also known from a statue that is now in the Egyptian Museum in Berlin. It shows May sitting and a chair. The inscriptions provide his name and titles. On the statue appears also the name of king Thutmosis III, providing a precise dating. Around his neck he wears the gold of honor. He must received it from the king. A second statue now in the Luxor Museum is very close in style and also shows an official with the gold of honor. The statue is not inscribed but might belong to May too.