Dra' Abu el-Naga' Necropolis, Luxor

On the western bank of the Nile at Luxor lies the Dra' Abu el-Naga' Necropolis, one of the longest operating cemeteries in ancient Egypt. The oldest burial at the site has been dated to around 2000 B.C during the Middle Kingdom and it was used continuously up until early Coptic Christian times around 2500 years later. The necropolis is remarkable for the range of social status to be found at the site from humble burials to tombs of high ranking officials and even some kings and queens of the 17th and 18th dynasties.

The popularity of the site is linked to the location of the necropolis just across from the Temple of Karnak. This was the main religious center for the worship of Amun and one of the most important temples during the New Kingdom. Also within the necropolis are the remains of a large Coptic monastery that was inhabited between the 5th and 8th Centuries A.D. Excavations continue at the site and new discoveries have included a tomb belonging to Amun-Em-Opet, supervisor of the hunters just prior to the reign of Akhenaten and entrances to two undecorated tombs and seals bearing the names of a royal messenger and supervisor of the palace.