Newly Opened Tombs in Luxor
By Laura Ranieri Roy
By guest contributor, Egyptologist and photographer Sharon Davidson
Recently opened tombs in Dra Abu el-Naga
These two richly decorated tombs were opened in September 2019, but due to COVID I was only able to visit them recently. The ticket was originally for three tombs located in this area (close to Carter house): Roy (TT 255), Shuroy (TT 13), and Amenemopet (TT 148), but now there is the addition of these two newly restored tombs belonging to the two noblemen included on this ticket.
The two additional tombs are located down the road from the tombs of Roy, Shuroy and Amenemopet. They are hidden behind a row of alabaster shops along the road – but can be reached by a staircase leading high up in the cliffs.
The restoration project for these tombs was carried out by an Egyptian-American mission from ARCE and the Ministry of Antiquities. Once the restoration was completed, the tombs were opened to the public. The first of the restored tombs, Raya (TT 159), was an official known as the fourth prophet of Amun who lived during the 19th Dynasty. The second tomb belonged to a man named Niay (TT 286) who was titled the Scribe of the Table, according to the inscriptions included with the wall reliefs in the tomb. This tomb is dated to the 20th Dynasty and has a beautiful funerary scene on the south wall. I have included photographs of both tombs, highlighting some of the scenes that I found most interesting.
Both tombs are small in size but beautifully decorated and worth a visit. For more information on these tombs, including a virtual visit, please see:
Theban Tombs 286 and 159 | American Research Center In Egypt (arce.org)
T – Shaped tomb of Raya
Detail of the west wall showing the deceased, Raya and his wife Mutemwia, in front of the tomb prior to internment
Ceiling decoration detail in Raya’s tomb
Statues in the tomb of Raya
Raya fishing in a pond accompanied by his ba-bird in the afterlife
Tomb of Niay
Funerary scene from Niay’s tomb
Tree Goddess Scene in the Tomb of Niay on the inside of the doorway