3,000-Year-Old Tomb Of Royal Scribe Khonsu Unearthed In Theban Necropolis, Luxor

| February 3, 2017 | Archaeology News | No Comments

MessageToEagle.com – A private tomb in the Theban necropolis in Luxor, has been unearthed by Japanese researchers from Waseda University.

Based on its style, the beautifully decorated tomb probably dates to the Ramesside period (1292–1069 BC). It is believed that it belonged to a royal scribe named Khonsu.

The tomb, located at the El-Khokha area on the west bank of the Nile, is beautifully decorated and likely dates to the Ramesside period, based on its style.Photo credit: Waseda University via Ahram.org
The tomb, located at the El-Khokha area on the west bank of the Nile, is beautifully decorated and likely dates to the Ramesside period, based on its style.Photo credit: Waseda University via Ahram.org

The tomb was discovered while excavators were cleaning the area to the east of the forecourt of the tomb of Userhat, a high official under king Amenhotep III, Jiro Kondo, the head of the Japanese mission, told Ahram Online.

The tomb is built on a T-shape on an east-west axis, with the main entrance, currently covered in debris, facing the east. It measures approximately 4.6m in length from the entrance to the rear wall of the inner chamber, while the transverse hall measures approximately 5.5 m in width.

The scenes of the baboons. Photo credit: Waseda University via Ahram.org
The scenes of the baboons. Photo credit: Waseda University via Ahram.org

On the north wall of the entrance doorway, there is a scene depicting the solar boat of the god Ra-Atum being worshipped by four baboons in a pose of adoration. On the adjacent wall, hieroglyphic texts are inscribed vertically describing Khonsu as a “true renowned scribe.”

Another section of the wall has depictions of Khonsu and his wife worship the gods Osiris and Isis in a kiosk, behind which is a depiction of the two ram-headed deities, likely Khnum or Khnum-Re.

The tomb is built on a T-shape on an east-west axis, with the main entrance, currently covered in debris, facing the east.
The tomb of Khonsu, is built on a T-shape on an east-west axis, with the main entrance, currently covered in debris, facing the east. Photo credit: Waseda University via Ahram.org

On the upper register of the northern part of the tomb, there are carved seated figures of Osiris and Isis, though the upper parts of their bodies are broken. On the lower register, a portion of the paintings shows the followers of the tomb owners.

See also:

Valley Of The Kings – Necropolis Of New Kingdom Rulers Of Ancient Egypt

Tomb TT99 Of Senneferi In The Theban Necropolis, Luxor

Unique Photos From Inside Of Ancient Tombs In Egypt’s Valley Of The Kings Revealed

Ancient Tombs Of The Nobles In The Valley Of The Queens

Researchers have identified the name and title of tomb’s owner and the frieze pattern near the ceiling shows a typical khekher-frize of the Ramesside period.

The wall paintings are not well-preserved but several other decorations may be recognizable later, once the debris is removed.

MessageToEagle.com

Spara

Related Posts