Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Graves Of Nobles

One of the most beautiful tombs. Vizier under Amenophis IV, who later became Akhenaton, his tomb was never completed. 32 columns support the ceiling of the vestibule, and a further 8 in the room leading to the chapel of the deceased. The sculpted bas-reliefs are impressive in their finesse: observe the hair and eye contours. At the far end is a representation of Akhenaten, his wife Nefertiti and their children presenting an offering to Aten; the grapes of the one god have been broken so that his blessing no longer benefits the heretic Pharaoh.

Khaemhat was royal scribe and inspector of the royal granaries during the reign of Amenophis III, whose 38-year reign was marked by peace, wealth and power. His highly ornamented tomb reveals rural scenes and religious representations, such as the sacrifice of geese. Among the bas-reliefs adorning the walls of his tomb are several depictions of the agrarian goddess Renenoutet, in the guise of a snake-headed woman suckling her son. Khaemhat took great care to ensure that this goddess watched over his final resting place.

Sennefer was prince and administrator of the temple gardens of Amun during the reign of Amenophis III. A narrow staircase leads to the deep vault of his beautiful tomb. This tomb is also known as the Tomb of the Vines, as many of the ceilings are decorated with vines. Although the work lacks finesse, this tomb will seduce you with its irregular ceiling, with bunches of grapes hugging the hollows and bumps. The walls and pillars depict the prince and one of his wives, Senetnay.

The very fine tomb of the Vizier under Thoutmes III expresses, through its decorative motifs, the power and might of the official promoted to a high distinction. On the front wall, as you enter from the left, are depictions of various tribes (Syrians, Sudanese, Ethiopians, etc.), charged with tribute as a sign of submission, including exotic animals such as panthers, giraffes and monkeys. On the walls of the narrow chapel, remarkably precise scenes show Rekhmiré supervising his workers, as well as a funeral banquet featuring some very pretty guests!

Usirhat was a royal scribe under Amenophis II, and his tomb features the usual scenes. His tomb is located at the bottom of the Gournah hill, a position that reflected his social status. This monument represents one of the pinnacles of funerary art of the period, with its two famous scenes, that of the barbers and the chariot race. Both have been featured in numerous works on ancient Egypt. The tomb was open to the public for many years, and remains so today, albeit intermittently.

One of the finest tombs on the site. A high-ranking civil servant, Menna was scribe to the Lord of the Two Lands under Thutmose IV. His tomb is decorated with touchingly realistic rural scenes. Some scenes have been reproduced in art books. For example, a bad debtor is beaten by the scribe's men, and a young child carrying an antelope on his shoulders is touchingly lifelike, as is the cat snatching eggs from a nest. The statues of Menna and his wife Henouttaouy can still be seen at the back of this one.

Scribe and astronomer of Amun under Thutmes IV, eighth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. The first room is arranged as a kind of tiny museum. There are scenes of ploughing and duck hunting in papyrus thickets, as well as men, barefoot in the vat, treading grapes. These scenes were inspired by Nakht's property in the Nile Delta. The statue of the deceased is a copy; as for the original, it lies at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, the ship that transported it to the United States having sunk.

Born into a prestigious family, he was Third Prophet of Amun during the ^20th Dynasty. His large sepulchre is poorly preserved and has lost most of its decorations, but his first room remains interesting. Large statues of the deceased are carved into the rock. The preserved wall decorations, depicting scenes of banquets and members of Amenenope's influential family, or Amenenope being presented to Osiris, are of exceptional quality and enhanced by the white of the walls.

Resident of the Royal Nursery, chief treasurer and supervisor of public works during the reign of Tuthmosis III. Benia's tomb, small and quite simple, with a classic T-shape, is quite complete. In several scenes Benia is depicted in front of tables on which offerings are piled up. The mouth opening ritual ceremony is also painted there. In a niche at the bottom of the tomb are statues, carved directly into the rock face, representing the deceased sitting surrounded by his parents.

This tomb belongs to an official named Khonsu, a theophoric name modeled on that of the son-god of the Theban Triad (Amen-Mut-Khonsu). He was also called To, the first prophet of Thutmes III, during the reign of Ramses II. Preceded by a courtyard, the tomb has a classical inverted-T plan. Among the many paintings, most depict the cult of the god Montu and of Thutmes III, but there are also scenes of worship of the god Ra by the deceased and his family and of funerary scenes. Ducks in flight adorn the ceiling.

A passage in the tomb of Nefersekherou leads to that of Dhutmosi, which is in poor condition. But by chance, the ceilings of these two tombs have been very well preserved. Beautifully coloured ceilings can be seen. Each has one or more central motifs, which take on geometric forms. Five different patterns are repeated, three of which are in the main room. The painted motifs are separated from each other by coloured stripes and, in the case of the main ceiling, by text stripes.

The small tomb of Nefersekheru, scribe of the divine offerings and officer of the Treasury during the reign of Ramses II, is quite similar to its neighbour. It would be conceivable that the latter succeeded his neighbour Neferrenpet. Despite its small size, it represents a characteristic ensemble of the period. It is very complete and its paintings have retained vivid colours. The ceilings are finely decorated with various geometric motifs in very well preserved colours. The monument consists of two separate underground complexes.

During the reign of Ramses II, Nefferenpet or Kenro was chief scribe of the Treasury of the domain of Amun-Ra, one of the highest offices of the time. The tomb is decorated with refined paintings. The deceased's wife, Moutemouia, is present at his side. The scenes are essentially religious: praise and adoration of the gods, a funeral procession, but there are also less formal scenes depicting Neferrenpet supervising the work carried out by the men at the treasury. The beautiful ceilings of this tomb are adorned with elaborate motifs.