An 18th dynasty tomb belonging to the guard of the ancient god Amun’s gate, Amenhotep, has been discovered in Gorna on Luxor’s west bank.
The entrance of the side hall
The tomb was uncovered by an archaeological mission of the American Research Centre in Cairo during excavation work carried out in the Gorna necropolis.
Minister of Antiquities Mamdoud Eldamaty told Ahram Online on Tuesday that the tomb is a T-shaped tomb with two large halls and an unfinished small niche at its end. An entrance leading to a side room with a shaft at its middle is found at the tomb’s southern side. “Such a shaft could lead to the burial chamber,” Eldamaty pointed out.
He went on saying that the tomb’s walls are painted with scenes depicting the tomb’s owner and his wife in front of an offering table. Hunting scenes are also decorating a part of the walls.
The tomb's large hall
Soltan Eid, director of Upper Egypt Antiquities, explained that the tomb was subjected to deterioration and looting in antiquity as some parts of the decoration scenes and hieroglyphic texts are erased as well as the name of god Amun. Such action, asserted Eid, indicates that the tomb was deteriorated during the religious revolution led by monotheistic king Akhenaten who united all ancient Egyptian gods into one called Aten.
The tomb will be subjected to restoration in order to open it to visitors.
A painted wall depicting a cultivation scene