| AN INHABITED TOMB OF QURNA |
The village of Sheikh abd el-Qurnal is found built on the western bank of the Nile. It is special because of its situation, since it is situated on top of the Pharaonic sites in a area sheltering the hypogeums of the Nobles. This site also gave birth to generations of pillagers of tombs. The Egyptian government initially tried to dislodge the inhabitants in the past 50 years, to send them to live several kilometers away in a village newly constructed by Hassan Fafhy, without success.
The second attempt was good, and the village is now largely abandoned, people have been relocated a few miles away in New Qurna.
NB: Since writing this article, many things have changed, and the bulldozers killed almost all the houses. The family discussed here has also been moved to New Qurna.
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Photo: NASA
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Qurna. In the foreground the foundations of the temple of Thoutmosis IV |
Qurna. In the foreground (under the dog) the foundations of the temple of Tauseret |
Qurna |
Some of the ancient tombs have for generations been exploited by the living, and it is still currently the case.
I had the occasion into 2003 to be allowed in one of these tombs. People live preferably in the forecourt, the excavated parts being used especially as a warehouse and ... as a cattle shed.
See the size of the tomb and the small lateral openings in some walls, I suspect that some act as communication between different tombs.
I thought it interesting to present this experience.
All the photographs presented here are with the consent of the owners.
Thanks to Brigitte Gerber who allowed me to meet them.
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| The owner: Ummy. |
Remaining of raw brick masonary. |
View of the first part of the tomb.
Notice the arched ceiling. |
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| First gallery. |
First gallery. |
Part in the content of the tomb representing a second shorter gallery. |
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| Part in the content of the tomb representing a second shorter gallery. |
Part in the content of the tomb representing a second shorter gallery. |
Small lateral dependences. |
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| Small lateral dependences. |
Small lateral dependences. |
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