As well as the expert astronomers like Harkhebi ( AET 4.43 ), in every large Egyptian temple there would have been hour-priests whose duties included observing the stars and measuring the hours. Nesmin's title, inherited by his son, is translated as 'chief of the astronomers of Amun' by J.A. Belmonte & J. Lull, "Astronomy of Ancient Egypt", p. 83 ( Google Books ).
Nesmin was a common name of Egyptian priests, but it seems very likely that his son Peteharpre was the same as 'Peteharpre, son of Nesmin and his mother Ta-sherit-amun', who is mentioned in the papyrus document P. Ryl. Dem. 12 (see AET 7..8.G). This provides an approximate date for the statue.
The translation is adapted from R. El-Sayed, "Au sujet de la statue CG. 680 du musée du Caire" ( BIFAO 80 ).
{ On the front: } An offering that the king gives to Amun-Re of Djeser-Set, to the very Great Ogdoad of the beginning of time, and to the Great Ennead which is on the 'Mound of the Male and the Female' {Djeme}, so that they may allow one to rise up, to enter, to settle, thanks to the wind, to take on a form, to live daily, to share fresh water, and to dwell in the fields of the gods, for the ka of the servant of Horus, scribe of Amun, chief of the observers of the hours of Amun in the fourth phyle, Nes-Min, justified, son of Peteharpre, justified, born to the lady Tai-Amun, justified.
{ On the two feet: } Made by his eldest son who keeps his name alive, the servant of Horus, royal scribe, scribe of Amun, scribe of Montu Lord of Tod, 3rd prophet of Montu Lord of Medamud, chief of the observers of the hours of Amun in the 4th phyle, scribe of the Treasury of the House of Amun, Peteharpre, born to the lady Ta-sherit-amun, justified.
{ On the back pillar: }
The scribe of Amun, Nes-Min, justified, son of Peteharpre, justified, born to the lady Tai-amun, justified, he says: O Amun, father of the fathers and of the Ogdoad, who was the first to come into existence, from the beginning, I am (?) the servant of your House; I am completely pure, as I go through it, and I am kind! Make me young in life again, so that I may enrich your House, through the pious work of my hands, as my fathers have done in your House!
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