| The tombs of Deir el-Medina |
| The ancient Egyptians regarded the human life as cyclical, an experience which, like the endless re-emergence of the sun each dawn, could be expected to repeat itself throughout eternity. Death was regarded not as an end, but a further change, leading forward to another type of existence. They recognised death was inevitable but believed that by passing through it could the afterlife be attained. This conception was the product of many centuries of thought. Various means could ensure their eternal life : piety to the gods, the preservations of the body through mummification, and the provision of statuary and other funerary equipment. The body and the funerary equipment of various kinds were usually placed within a tomb. The tombs were almost always subterranean, usually comprising a simple pit, a rock-cut room or a chamber of mud-brick or stone. |
The page was last modified on April 20th 2008
Sources:
1. Taylor, John H.: Death and the afterlife in ancient Egypt London : British Museum
Press, 2001.
2. Shaw, Ian: British Museum dictionary of ancient Egypt. London : British Museum
Press, 1995.
3. Bruyère, Bernard : Tombes Thebaines. La Necropole de Deir el-Medineh. Tom 1.
Cairo : 1926.
4. David, A. Rosalie: The pyramid builders of ancient Egypt : a modern investigation
of Pharaoh's workforce.
London : Routledge, 1986.
5. Weeks, Kent R.: The treasures of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
Cercelli : White Star Publishers, 2005
6. Bruyère, Bernard: Rapport sur les Fouilles de Deir el Medineh (1928)
Le Caire : Imprimerie de l'Institut Francais d'Archeologie Orientale, 1929.
7. Janssen, Rosalind and Janssen, Jac. J.: Growing up and getting old in ancient Egypt
London : Golden House Publications, 2007.
8. Waseda University Institute of Egyptology web site at
http://www.waseda.jp/prj-egypt/sites/DeM/DeM-E.html
1. Taylor, John H.: Death and the afterlife in ancient Egypt London : British Museum
Press, 2001.
2. Shaw, Ian: British Museum dictionary of ancient Egypt. London : British Museum
Press, 1995.
3. Bruyère, Bernard : Tombes Thebaines. La Necropole de Deir el-Medineh. Tom 1.
Cairo : 1926.
4. David, A. Rosalie: The pyramid builders of ancient Egypt : a modern investigation
of Pharaoh's workforce.
London : Routledge, 1986.
5. Weeks, Kent R.: The treasures of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
Cercelli : White Star Publishers, 2005
6. Bruyère, Bernard: Rapport sur les Fouilles de Deir el Medineh (1928)
Le Caire : Imprimerie de l'Institut Francais d'Archeologie Orientale, 1929.
7. Janssen, Rosalind and Janssen, Jac. J.: Growing up and getting old in ancient Egypt
London : Golden House Publications, 2007.
8. Waseda University Institute of Egyptology web site at
http://www.waseda.jp/prj-egypt/sites/DeM/DeM-E.html
| The main cemetery of the royal workmen at Deir el-Medina is situated to the west of the village, on the slope of the Theban hills. Most of the tombs were built during the 19th dynasty. Some of them are impressive in their decoration and size. By the time of the 20th dynasty the tombs had been turned into family tombs in which the descendants of the original owners were buried. Little alterations were made apart from the addition of another subterranean burial chamber. The lower courses of the eastern hill of Qurnet Mura'i were the site of burials of babies and children. More than a hundred children were buried in common domestic pottery jars or amphorae, in baskets, even fish baskets, in chests, boxes or in proper coffins there. The poorest burials were those of still-born babies. They contained no jewellery or amulets, only small vessels filled with food for the afterlife. The adults' graves were situated higher up. Many of these graves date from the 18th dynasty. |
View of the cemetery at the northern side
of the settlement looking towards west
of the settlement looking towards west
| A tomb at the southern part of the settlement |
Settlement
Temples
Chapels
Rock shrine
Huts
Collections
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List of Deir el-Medina tombs
1 - Sennedjem, craftsman under Ramesses II and Seti I
2 - Khabekhnet
3 - Pashedu (also tomb 326)
4 - Ken (also tomb 337)
5 - Neferabu
6 - Nebnefer or Neferhotep
7 - Ramose (also tombs 212 and 250)
8 - Kha, architect of Amenhotep II
9 - Amenmose
10 - Kasa or Penbuy
210 - Raweben
211 - Paneb
212 - Ramose (also tombs 7 and 250)
213 - Penamun
214 - Khawi
215 - Amenemopet (also tomb 265)
216 - Neferhotep
217 - Ipuy, sculptor under Ramesses II
218 - Amenakhte and Iymway. Excavated by Bruyère in 1928
219 - Nebenmaat. Excavated by Bruyère in 1928
220 - Khaemteri. Excavated by Bruyère in 1928
250 - Ramose (also tombs 7 and 212)
265 - Amenemopet (also tomb 215)
266 - Amenakhte
267 - Hay
268 - Nebnakhte (family tomb)
290 - Irinufer
291 - Nakhtmin or Nu
....click here to find out more about Tomb 291
292 - Pashedu
298 - Baki or Wennefer
299 - Inherkau (also tomb 359)
321 - Khaemopet
322 - Penshenabu
323 - Pashedu
325 - Simen
326 - Pashedu (also tomb 3)
327 - Turobay
328 - Hay
329 - Mose and Ipy
330 - Karo
335 - Nakhtamon
336 - Neferronpet
337 - Eskhons or Ken
338 - May
339 - Huy or Pashedu (Ramesside Period)
340 - Amenemhat (also tomb 354)
354 - Amenemhat (also tomb 340)
355 - Amenpahapy
356 - Amonemuia. Excavated by Bruyère in 1928
357 - Tutihermaktuf. Excavated by Bruyère in 1929
359 - Inherkau, under Ramesses III and IV (also tomb 299)
360 - Kaha
361 - Huy
Tombs and pits excavated by Bruyère in 1928
1102 - 19th dynasty
1119 - Ramesside tomb -
1129 - 18th dynasty
1130 - situated 9 m north of the court of TT337
1131 - situated 4 m at 6 degrees north of TT337. 18th dynasty objects found
1132 - situated 10 m north of No 1130
1133 - situated 9 m from TT3. 5 steps staircase, simple chamber, amphorae fragments found
1134 - situated east of TT1133
1135 - situated 10 m east of TT325 chapel
1136 - situated 8.20 m south-west of TT325 chapel
1137 - situated 5.35 m north-east of TT337 court. 18th dynasty brick and 18th dynasty hieratic
inscription found found
1138 - situated south of TT325 chapel. 18th dynasty. 64 funerary cones found
1139 - situated 14 m north of TT337
1140 - 18th dynasty
1141 - situated 8 m east of 1139
1142 - situated 5 m east of TT337
1143 - situated 8.7 m east of 1140. Pit 2.9 m deep. Pottery fragments found
1144 - situated 5 m nort-east of 1139. Pit 3.45 m deep. 18th dynasty. Pottery fragments found
1145 - situated 13 m east of TT 340. Pit 3.65 m deep. 18th dynasty. Pottery
1146 - rectangular, 3.2 m long
1147 -
1148 - style of the 18th dynasty
1149 - situated 8.7 m north of TT329 court and 8.2 m west of TT250 chapel
1150 - north of TT250. Brick with cartouche of Tuthmosis IV (1419-1386 BC) found. 18th dynasty
1151 - fragments of pottery found
1152
1153
1154
1155
1156
1157
1158
1159 - pit 1. Hermes, pit 2. Sennefer
1160 - situated south of TT250. 18th dynasty
1162 - 18th dynasty
1163 - 18th and 19th dynasty. Brick with cartouche of Tuthmosis I (1524-1518 BC)
1161 - 18th dynasty, pit 3.90 m, 1 vertical chamber
1164 - 18th, 19th dynasty. Pottery found
1165 - 18th dynasty
1166 - 18th dynasty
1168 - 18th dynasty
1169 - 18th dynasty
1170 - 18th dynasty.
1171
1172
1173
1174
1176 - 18th dynasty
1180 - 18th dynasty
1181 - 18th dynasty
1182 - 18th dynasty
1183
1184
1 - Sennedjem, craftsman under Ramesses II and Seti I
2 - Khabekhnet
3 - Pashedu (also tomb 326)
4 - Ken (also tomb 337)
5 - Neferabu
6 - Nebnefer or Neferhotep
7 - Ramose (also tombs 212 and 250)
8 - Kha, architect of Amenhotep II
9 - Amenmose
10 - Kasa or Penbuy
210 - Raweben
211 - Paneb
212 - Ramose (also tombs 7 and 250)
213 - Penamun
214 - Khawi
215 - Amenemopet (also tomb 265)
216 - Neferhotep
217 - Ipuy, sculptor under Ramesses II
218 - Amenakhte and Iymway. Excavated by Bruyère in 1928
219 - Nebenmaat. Excavated by Bruyère in 1928
220 - Khaemteri. Excavated by Bruyère in 1928
250 - Ramose (also tombs 7 and 212)
265 - Amenemopet (also tomb 215)
266 - Amenakhte
267 - Hay
268 - Nebnakhte (family tomb)
290 - Irinufer
291 - Nakhtmin or Nu
....click here to find out more about Tomb 291
292 - Pashedu
298 - Baki or Wennefer
299 - Inherkau (also tomb 359)
321 - Khaemopet
322 - Penshenabu
323 - Pashedu
325 - Simen
326 - Pashedu (also tomb 3)
327 - Turobay
328 - Hay
329 - Mose and Ipy
330 - Karo
335 - Nakhtamon
336 - Neferronpet
337 - Eskhons or Ken
338 - May
339 - Huy or Pashedu (Ramesside Period)
340 - Amenemhat (also tomb 354)
354 - Amenemhat (also tomb 340)
355 - Amenpahapy
356 - Amonemuia. Excavated by Bruyère in 1928
357 - Tutihermaktuf. Excavated by Bruyère in 1929
359 - Inherkau, under Ramesses III and IV (also tomb 299)
360 - Kaha
361 - Huy
Tombs and pits excavated by Bruyère in 1928
1102 - 19th dynasty
1119 - Ramesside tomb -
1129 - 18th dynasty
1130 - situated 9 m north of the court of TT337
1131 - situated 4 m at 6 degrees north of TT337. 18th dynasty objects found
1132 - situated 10 m north of No 1130
1133 - situated 9 m from TT3. 5 steps staircase, simple chamber, amphorae fragments found
1134 - situated east of TT1133
1135 - situated 10 m east of TT325 chapel
1136 - situated 8.20 m south-west of TT325 chapel
1137 - situated 5.35 m north-east of TT337 court. 18th dynasty brick and 18th dynasty hieratic
inscription found found
1138 - situated south of TT325 chapel. 18th dynasty. 64 funerary cones found
1139 - situated 14 m north of TT337
1140 - 18th dynasty
1141 - situated 8 m east of 1139
1142 - situated 5 m east of TT337
1143 - situated 8.7 m east of 1140. Pit 2.9 m deep. Pottery fragments found
1144 - situated 5 m nort-east of 1139. Pit 3.45 m deep. 18th dynasty. Pottery fragments found
1145 - situated 13 m east of TT 340. Pit 3.65 m deep. 18th dynasty. Pottery
1146 - rectangular, 3.2 m long
1147 -
1148 - style of the 18th dynasty
1149 - situated 8.7 m north of TT329 court and 8.2 m west of TT250 chapel
1150 - north of TT250. Brick with cartouche of Tuthmosis IV (1419-1386 BC) found. 18th dynasty
1151 - fragments of pottery found
1152
1153
1154
1155
1156
1157
1158
1159 - pit 1. Hermes, pit 2. Sennefer
1160 - situated south of TT250. 18th dynasty
1162 - 18th dynasty
1163 - 18th and 19th dynasty. Brick with cartouche of Tuthmosis I (1524-1518 BC)
1161 - 18th dynasty, pit 3.90 m, 1 vertical chamber
1164 - 18th, 19th dynasty. Pottery found
1165 - 18th dynasty
1166 - 18th dynasty
1168 - 18th dynasty
1169 - 18th dynasty
1170 - 18th dynasty.
1171
1172
1173
1174
1176 - 18th dynasty
1180 - 18th dynasty
1181 - 18th dynasty
1182 - 18th dynasty
1183
1184
| The settlement's tombs had a basic plan: at ground level a small open courtyard, a vaulted chapel of one or more rooms surmounted by a brick pyramid topped with a stone pyramidion. A shaft in the courtyard led into an underground passage and a decorated burial chamber or chambers, depending on the individual's means and status. The main subterranean chamber usually had a vaulted roof and was very brightly decorated. Stelae were set into the mud-brick walls and a large stela, commemorating the deceased and depicting his funeral, was placed in the courtyard. |
Inside the vaulted chapel
| A number of the tombs are still in an excellent state of preservation. Their decoration boast vivid colours against a rich yellow background possibly suggesting the colour of papyrus. The themes of the decorated walls are not scenes of daily life or funerary ceremonies but instead are devoted almost exclusively to texts and scenes from the Book of the Dead, borrowing from the same repertoire of religious scenes that appear on the walls of royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. |
Chapel north of the tomb 356
As the Harper's Song in the tomb
of King Intef puts it:
None comes from there
To tell of their state,
To calm our hearts
Until we go where they have gone.
Hence rejoice in your heart...
Make holiday, do not weary of it.
of King Intef puts it:
None comes from there
To tell of their state,
To calm our hearts
Until we go where they have gone.
Hence rejoice in your heart...
Make holiday, do not weary of it.