Tombs of the Nobles, Luxor (must see)

Out of the many hundreds of nobles’ tombs that have been identified and uncovered at the Theban Necropolis, there are six that are a must visit. The excavated tombs span a period of around 500 years during the New Kingdom and are the final resting place of courtesans and nobles of Ancient Egypt. The Tombs of the Nobles offers a different perspective to the many pharaoh temples and tombs in the region with the emphasis of murals being more on travelling from earth to the afterlife and scenes from the everyday life of those buried here. There are few carved reliefs on the walls here, as compared to other locations around Luxor, which is largely to do with the soft limestone found at the site. Instead, you find brightly painted murals.

The Tomb of Rekhmire, a governmental vizier provides important historical information relating to the reigns of Thuthmoses III and Amenophis II and foreign policy. The colorful Tomb of Sennofer depicts the life of the Mayor of Thebes in 1550 B.C, and is often known as the “Tomb of Vines” for all the grape vines found painted on the walls. The Tomb of Ramose is fascinating as the vizier and governor of the 14th Century B.C lived at the time of Akenhaten, when massive religious changes occurred in the kingdom. Other important tombs to visit at the site include those of Userhat and Khaemhat, who were royal scribes, and Nakht, a royal astronomer.