Things to see and do Valley Of Artisans

This small late Ptolemaic temple, dedicated to Hathor and Maät, gave its name to the valley when Coptic monks established a small monastery there. It has little prestige, yet it is worth a visit. The quality of its reliefs and the interest of the themes covered make it an important place. Several scenes are put into perspective, such as the representation of King Ptolemy IX offering milk to a child on Hathor's lap. We see Maat breathing life into her.

Inerkhaou was Pharaoh's foreman, Lord of the Two Lands. He served Ramses III and IV. Entrance is via a vestibule followed by a staircase that leads to the burial chamber. Passages from the Book of the Dead are illustrated on the walls of both rooms, the vestibule being less well preserved than the chamber. A fine representation of the Ished tree, in blue, and of the god Apophis are particularly noteworthy. After the tomb of Sennedjem, this is one of the best-preserved tombs. The singular paintings do not fit into the artistic canon of the period.

Sennedjem was a special craftsman: he was an artist who had the opportunity to work under the glorious reigns of Seti ^I and his son Ramses II. You enter through the side wall into a single, vaulted chamber. The richness of the decoration is unusual for a craftsman, and is reminiscent of a royal tomb, but its recipient was also its author... Scenes from the Book of the Dead are depicted, as well as Sennedjem and his wife Inyferti. This is the only tomb in the Valley to have been found complete, and its furnishings are on display in Cairo.