Two Ancient Tombs Discovered Near Luxor Show the

Breathtaking Majesty and Artistry of Ancient Egyptians

March 14, 2015 | Posted by Curtis Bunn
Tagged With: 18th dynasty of the egyptian new kingdom, american research center, amhoptep, Dra Abu el-Naga, el-Tarif, god's
doorkeeper, Luxor, satamen, ta-khaeet, tomb of djehuty, tombs of the nobles

In a breathtaking discovery, a team of American archaeologists discovered two beautiful ancient tombs in the
southern city of Luxor belonging to Amenhotep, guard of the temple of Egyptian deity Amun, and his son.
It is a stunning find, considering how much attention and visitation the historic city of Luxor typically draws.
The incredibly beautiful works displayed in the tombs demonstrate once again the majesty of the ancient
Egyptians and their unequaled skill in creating gorgeous murals depicting scenes from Egyptian life.
According to the Antiques Minister, the tomb dates back to the New Kingdom of the 18th Dynasty (1543-1292
BC) the most famous of ancient Egypt dynasties. They were found near the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna dig site at
the feet of the Theban mountains, between the famed valleys of the Kings and Queens over the town of alQurna.
The ministry released breathtaking photographs showing the murals in the tombsbright green and brown
paintings with hieroglyphics showing both celebrations and everyday activity.
Despite their age, the tombs are still incredibly vibrant and colorful. But there was bad news accompanying
the find. Antiquities Minister Mamdouh al-Damaty said in a statement that the tombs appear to have been
looted at some point. The sarcophogi containing the bejeweled mummies were missing.
The tomb contains many stunning scenes with bright colours painted on plaster, Eldamaty said in a
statement. Many of scenes represent the tomb owner and his wife in front of an offering table and a view of a
goddess nursing a royal child as well as scenes of the daily life.
Sultan Eid, the ministrys general director for the Upper Egypt region, said the T-shaped tomb was likely
damaged deliberately in ancient times.
The name and titles of the tomb owner, some hieroglyphic texts and scenes in addition to the names of the
god Amun were deliberately erased, Eid said.
The first tomb was discovered on March 2, and the second was discovered on March 10 by a team of
American archaeologists alongside an Egyptian inspectors team in Luxor, 435 miles south of Cairo.

The area where the tombs were discovered in the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna is also known as the Tombs of the
Nobles. The experts believe the images in the tombs depict a father and his son.
They share a courtyard with the Tomb of Djehuty, which, Discovery reported, was commissioned by a royal
cupbearer for the pharaohs Hatshesut and Tuthmosis.
The murals, which have gashes, some large, that show they were obviously vandalized, were described this
way:
* A gods doorkeeper and his wife. The first tomb, which was discovered on March 2, belongs to an
Amenhotep surnamed Rabiu, and his wife, Satamen. Amenhotep was a doorkeeper to the Egyptian god
Amun.
* Amenhoteps son and his wife. The second tomb was discovered March 10, and belongs to Sa-mut, the
son of Amenhotep and Satamen, and his wife, Ta-Khaeet.
Tombs of the Nobles are the burial places of some of the powerful courtiers and persons of the ancient city.
These areas, according to touregypt.net, mostly lie in five different regions. Farthermost north is an area
known as el-Tarif, where large, row tombs were dug during the late Second Intermediate Period and early
Middle Kingdom.
Just south of el-Tarif is Dra Abu el-Naga, which is a hillside with about 80 numbered tombs mostly belonging
to priests and officials of the 17th through 20th dynasty, including some rulers of the 17th dynasty.
Just southwest of Dra Abu el-Naga is an area called El-Assasif, where there are 40 tombs, mostly from the
New Kingdom and later. Just south of El-Assasif is El-Khokha, a hill with five Old Kingdom tombs and 53
numbered tombs from the 18th and 19th dynasty.