Egypt is opening 18th Dynasty New Kingdom Tombs in Luxor’s An – Khokha Necropolis (West bank) to the public for the first time following restoration according to Sada El - Balad, a news website and satellite television channel headquartered in Giza.
The opening of these tombs is part of a project of the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities that continues to work on cultural heritage conservation and development of tourist sites.
The tombs belong to Amenhotep Rabuia from the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III (fifteenth century BC) and his son Samut, from the reign of Thutmose IV (fourteenth century BC) both high - ranking officials and they feature restored, vibrant, over 3.000 - year old wall paintings, along the tomb of Nakht, also from the reign of Thutmose IV, which is now open to visitors.
The tombs belong to the New Kingdom and feature a “T” shaped structure, typical of the period, with room decorated with scenes of daily life and funerary rituals, reused in late periods, which led architectural modifications.
The tomb of Amenthotep Rabuia, guardian of the god Amun at Karnak, stands out for its high - quality decorations in a standard chapel layout for the period, consisting of a transverse hall (front) features beautiful, detailed paintings of agricultural life, including harvesting grain, storing it in granaries, breadmaking, potters at work and including a rare depiction of offerings to the fertility goddess Renenutet, who is depicted breastfeeding a royal child.
The tomb of Samut despite being left unfinished, is noted for its high - quality artwork, conventional T – shaped layout and unique scenes.
The facade includes two stelae flanking the entrance, with one showing Samut offering to the gods Ra - Harakhti and Maat, and the other depicting him and his wife, Raiay, offerings to Isis and Osiris.
The tomb is decorated with skilled wall paintings that include in the hall banqueting scenes similar to other tombs. A detailed scene on the eastern wall shows the funeral procession on the Nile., featuring a mummy on a ship accompanied by rowers.
The walls also features scenes from the “Book of Gates” , a judgement scene with Ammit, a scene of the “ tree goddess”, agricultural images includes the offering of cattle to Amun - Ra, and a scene featuring King Ramses II adoring Amun - Ra is present along with hymns to Mut and Ra - Harakhti.
The inner chamber contains a niche that houses four statues, including representations of Samut and his wife, Raiay.
The tomb of Nakht belongs to a Scribe and Astronomer of Amun named Nakht responsible for tracking celestial bodies at the Karnak temple, under Thuthmose IV.
This small tomb consisting of a, T - shaped plan with a small corridor and a decorated chapel with a niche for a statue is highlighted by vibrant, detailed wall paintings capturing daily life, music, agricultural and banquet scenes.
The tomb showcases exceptionally well - preserved colours ,and lively intimate scenes rather than strictly religious imagery. Key scenes depict wine production (grape harvesting), fishing and fowling, agricultural activities (harvesting wheat) and musicians performing at banquets.
Relevant highlights of the tomb are the “Tree Goddess” scene offering food and beverages and the painting of three ladies wearing perfume comes in their hair.
In this tomb an important restoration work was carried out, such as the replacement of protective glass, the improvement of ventilation and lighting, and the detailed cleaning aof the frescoes.
The works at the tombs included the restoration of wall paintings, the consolidation of architectural structures, the cleaning of surfaces, the repair of cracks and the recovery of original colours and details.
In addition, wooden walkways, modern lighting, stairs, informative signage, rest areas and protective covers are being installed, along with information materials in Arabic and English.
This initiative is part of a project that not only seeks to preserve and showcase these relevant historical monuments, but also to improve the experience of tourists through the development of services and infrastructures.
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