The fifth volume of the Mirgissa series is devoted to the publication of the seals, dating from the 12th and 13th dynasties, which were discovered in the Mirgissa fortress on the southern Egyptian frontier. More than 15,000 pieces were found. A number of the seals were on doorframes; others were on papyrus documents, boxes and containers. Some were inscribed with geometric patterns, hieroglyphs and names. These included the names of kings, local departments of the main Egyptian institutions (such as the treasury, the granaries, the wdja-stores and the department of labor); and even the titles and names of officials. Some of the seals had been sent from neighboring fortresses.
This remarkable collection has enabled us to study the organisation of a mnnw, Mirgissa/Iqen, during the Middle Kingdom, as well as its links with other Nubian fortresses or the Theban region.