El-Assasif Tombs is located on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor, southern Egypt, near a dry bay area north of the tombs of the Abu al-Naja and contains the tombs of more than thirty nobles from the 18th Dynasty.

The Religious Pilgrimage

The tombs contained a religious inscription of the pilgrimage to Abydos as well as drawings of the daily life of the ancient Egyptians in agriculture and hunting, whether hunting birds or fish from the lake. There were also pharaonic inscriptions for appearances of family celebrations, music, and dance. The thirty tombs were discovered in 2019 and were found to date back to 3000BC.

The buried were discovered to be priests and priestesses in addition to children who worshiped the god Amun and Khonsu and all the coffins were colored and contained motifs though there was a group that didn’t complete their Pharaonic motifs. However, most of the tombs contained inscriptions and drawings from the Book of the Dead and an inscription of presenting offerings to King Amenhotep I and various other Egyptian Deities.

True Tomb Exploration

El-Assasif Tombs

Book Your Luxor Tour

Due to its newness of discovery, It would be easy to miss in your tour in Luxor; the tomb remains somewhat hidden to tourists unless they have a guide who knows where to take them since most of it remains underground. Those who wish to explore the area would have a great time though as they would be able to follow the cracks and tunnels brought out by excavation and see the tomb at a time before modern restoration took place to give it a unique antique feeling.

Tombs Worth Visiting Other Than El-Assasif Tombs

Some of the most important tombs in the area, and ones that are definitely worth visiting include The tomb of Prince Kheruef No. TT192 of the Pharaonic Dynasty 18 who was also called Senaa, and was Steward to the Great Royal Wife Tiye, during the reign of Amenhotep III. Barn Nefer Tomb No. TT188 from the 25th Dynasty is another must-see as it is decorated with sculpted scenes as well as the first who of Queen Nefertiti.

The Tomb of Mumtumhaat No. TT34 is the tomb of Montuemhat who was the 4th Prophet of Amun, Mayor of Thebes, and Governor of Upper Egypt who served during the reigns of Taharqa and Psamtik I. He was the son of Esptah, a prophet of Amun and Mayor of the city, and Esenkhebi giving him much prestige in the area which his tomb reflected. Other tombs to see are the Papasa Tomb No. TT289 of the 26th Dynasty, the tomb of the priest, Badi Amon, Epit No. TT33 of the 26th Dynasty and the tomb of Mit Redis No. TT410 from the 26th Dynasty.

These tombs are some of the more recently discovered ones and, though they were unfortunately ransacked by graverobbers, they still contain a vast variety of paintings and carvings for people to marvel at, as well as a full representation of the area before it is opened further for easier access.