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 al-Qurna.

The ministry released breathtaking photographs showing the murals in the tombs—bright

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 ministry’s 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 god’s 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.

* Amenhotep’s 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.