Travel Guide Graves Of Nobles

The tombs here house high Theban officials, almost all from the 13th Dynasty. The necropolis contains around four hundred and fifty of them, which is why it looks like a Swiss cheese when viewed from afar, as most of them remain only as traces or debris. Fortunately, there are still a few marvelously well-preserved ones, and these are the ones you'll be visiting. Grouped within a perimeter of around 600 m, they are easy to find. They have yet to enjoy the mass success of the Valley of the Kings, and are perhaps deliberately omitted from group tours because their modest size would make any crowds intolerable. The motifs that decorate them - usually painted - are surprisingly fresh and faithfully depict certain aspects of daily life. Although all different, the tombs follow a traditional plan. In the first room, they often depict the pleasures of life, with representations of feasts, offerings of wine, food and flowers. The second room features more funerary themes, such as embalming, banquets or funeral processions, with the deceased in the presence of Osiris or Anubis.Admission : several tombs can be visited, some of which are closed for renovation. They are divided into groups, each with its own ticket. Ask for details on site.