A comment concerning the function of chapels for worship in the village of Deir el-Medina and the function of lay priesthood follows from the book Pharaoh’s Workers: “The workmen themselves engaged in the simple priestly activities documented; the villagers probably had no professional clergy, though some chapels had attached chambers or guard houses. Serving as priests for the processions they conducted ones, though the titles of “lector”, “fan bearer” and “bak” (servant) are also known.

From: Pharaoh’s Workers, the Villagers of Deir el-Medina, Leonard H. Lesko, Editor. Cornell University Press 1994, page 90-93. A scene from everyday life is depicted here, where the seated figure, wearing a red shoulder-strap and attached garment typical of the New Kingdom, is attended by another figure, grasping a red razor in his left hand and steadying the attendee's head in his right. This standing figure with a delicately rendered face, is garbed in a tight-fitting kilt-loincloth and red belt, his right foot braced against the attendee's folded knees. Likely represents part of the preparation to attend service in temple ritual required of priests--though Ancient Egyptians regularly opted for shaving for practical cleanliness and hygiene in general. These stone flake drawings were created by tomb artists in an impromptu fashion upon stone flakes produced during the quarrying of tombs and inspired by events seen or remembered in their daily lives. A relevant scene of daily life at the apex of the Egyptian epoch. From the Theban area, village of Deir el-Medina