The Ancient Village and Worker's Tombs

Several architectural and decorative differences set the tombs of the craftsmen and workers who lived in the Village of Dayr al-Madina apart from other private tombs at Thebes (Luxor) . The tombs here had forecourts defined by a low mudbrick wall that might enclose a garden and pond. Behind, stood a small pyramid, never more that 10 meters high, that could contain a small chamber or stela niche. ( This was the last pyramid to be incorporated into the plan of an Egyptian tomb.)

Tombs at Dayr al-Madina were crowded together on the hillside immediately west of the village. Space was at a premium here, and tombs were used by entire families

Of the three tombs at Dayr al-Madina currently open to public ( TT1: Sennedjem, TT3:Pashedu, and TT359:Inherkhau), that of Pashedu is both the most beautifully decorated and least visited.

Worker's Tombs | The Tomb of Sennedjem TT

This is the tomb of the servant in the palace of Truth in the reign of Ramses II. A narrow flight of stairs leads us to a single chamber with a low curved roof. Opposite the entrance are two particularly noteworthy scenes. To the left Anubis god of mummification, leans over the mummy of the dead person which lies on a lion-headed couch, and Osiris is depicted before an offering table flanked by two protective Horus eyes. To the right, is a fine formal funerary feast with the presentation of offerings and perfumes, and the dead is led by Anubis.

The roof is decorated with scenes showing the opening of the door of the tomb, the journey to the underworld is different chapters. The delightful agricultural scene on the right-hand wall, showing ripe wheat fields, fruits and flowers, is undoubtedly a vision of what the tombs owner hoped to enjoy in the afterlife.

Worker's Tombs | The Tomb of Pashedu TT3

He was the servant in the palace of truth under the later Ramessides. A steep staircase leads to a vaulted corridors with Anubis depicted on each wall, and the burial chamber where the sarcophagus usually made of limestone slabs rather than a single block of stone, stood against the rear wall.

The tow long walls are decorated with  conventional scenes of Pashedu and his relatives adoring the gods. On the right hand entrance wall, you can see the deceased crouches in prayers beside a decorative palm-tree which grows by the side of the lake.

Worker's Tombs | The Tomb of Inherkhau TT359

This tomb belongs to the supervisor  of the necropolis in the 20th Dynasty. Its decorations, not surprisingly, is extremely good, specially in the inner most chamber where the deceased is depicted with a group of his family members receiving the statue of Osiris. He is also depicted with his wife holding candles and listening to the harp player. On the right hand wall Inherkhau can be seen adoring lions, guardians of two horizons which came to represent today and tomorrow.

FAQ

Q- IIs Luxor worth visiting? A-Luxor and Cairo are exceedingly different places and yes Luxor is well worth visiting. If you want to see iconic sites such as the Valley of the King's and Karnak Temple, then you have no choice.


Q-How many days do you need in Luxor? A-Two days- Luxor requires a minimum of 3 days IMO. There is so much to see and do so you will be on the go the whole time. I'd say the minimum time needed to visit Luxor is two days, but you can easily spend longer as there are so many sites, and it's worth taking the time to enjoy the atmosphere.


Q-How long is the train ride from Cairo to Luxor?A-Departs Cairo Ramses Station 10 hours.


Q-Is it safe to travel from Hurghada to Luxor?A- There is no FCO advice against travel to Cairo, Alexandria, the tourist areas along the Nile, and the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada. The section of the country between the Nile and the Red Sea is also considered mostly safe.


Q-What can you buy in Luxor?A-Some of the best souvenirs to bargain for & buy in Luxor are Egyptian cotton, alabaster vases & other products from alabaster factories, mouldings and carvings of Pharaohs, queens & gods, glass scent bottles, leather, silver, gold to name a few.


Q-Is Aswan worth visiting? A-“Aswan itself: the town is worth a visit” ... With its great market, connection to Nubian people and culture, its easy cross Nile ferry trip and a great place to stay, Aswan is a much more enjoyable place than any other place in the world.


Q-How long is a Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan? A-The Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan takes 5 days and vice versa from Aswan to Luxor 4 days.