Things to see and do El-Kab

The construction of this small chapel, dedicated to the goddesses Nekhbet and Hathor, is attributed to King Amenophis III and his father Thutmes IV. The chapel, almost square, is supported by four columns with Hathor capitals. The interior is decorated with paintings that have retained their original hue. This small chapel was used as a resting place for the statue of Nekhbet during certain processions. The goddess protected the important mineral resources of this part of Egypt. In front of the entrance was a small hypostyle hall with four columns.

Ahmes son of Abana, born of a soldier father and a mother named Abana, is a soldier who played an important role under the orders of three pharaohs. His biography, on two walls of his tomb, relates all his feats of arms especially when the north of Egypt was annexed by the Hyksos. Born under the reign of Seqenenrê Taâ and died under that of Thutmes I: he took part in the various wars of reunification led by the pharaohs. He received seven times the supreme honorary decoration, the decoration of gold, from the hands of three different kings.

Pahéry is a painter and head of works in the tomb of his grandfather, Ahmnose, son of Abana, a war hero. He becomes governor of Elkab and Esna. His status as a nomarch enabled him to build his own tomb. The theme of the artistic copies served as a basic documentation, to express his artistic talent. The tomb he occupies with his wife has well-preserved paintings of scenes from agricultural life and the funeral rite rendered to the deceased. At the back is a niche housing a statue of Pahery, his wife and his mother.