With its vault of history, Egypt is the ultimate destination for travellers, more so for culture buffs. With the pyramids and the pharaohs ruling cinema and fiction for years, Egypt is an attractive place to explore. Now, you might have one more reason to plan for a trip. The restored ancient tomb of Neferhotep, the scribe of Amun from the 18th Dynasty, has been opened to the public after decades of work. The tomb, located in Luxor, is poised to become a new tourist attraction for the ancient city.
Dating back to the illustrious 18th Dynasty of 1550 to 1292 B.C., amidst the reign of King Ay (1327 to 1323 B.C.), the burial chamber has undergone over two decades of meticulous restoration work to reclaim its former grandeur. Neferhotep, a figure of eminence in his time, held multiple titles, including the scribe of Amun.
The grand unveiling of the tomb in the Al-Khokha area on Luxor's West Bank was carried out by Mostafa Waziry, the secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities. This occasion marked the culmination of restoration efforts spearheaded by an Argentine mission affiliated with the University of Buenos Aires.
As noted by experts, the tomb's significance lies in its panoramic vistas and intricate inscriptions, offering glimpses into the evolution of funerary customs post the Amarna period of religious upheaval, which witnessed the relocation of Egypt's capital from the north to the south. Among its treasures is a statue depicting the tomb's proprietor and his wife, Meritamun, a celebrated vocalist for the god Amun. Waziry underscored that the tomb is a fascinating addition to Luxor's western mainland attractions, boasting an array of meticulously detailed and vibrantly painted scenes and inscriptions.
The preparations for the tomb's restoration began in 2000, with experts from the University of Buenos Aires meticulously documenting and analysing the tombstone's inscriptions before commencing the actual work.
After this preparatory phase, restoration work commenced properly in 2013, with a dedicated German archaeological team undertaking the arduous task of cleaning wall paintings, repairing damaged stonework, and reviving layers of colour on inscriptions.
The tomb's lower burial chambers are an architectural marvel, with experts pointing out their alignment along a longitudinal axis, symbolically mirroring the cyclical regeneration of the deceased and the sun's daily trajectory. Delicate surfaces were cleaned utilising cutting-edge laser technology, which restored the vibrancy of wall paintings and hieroglyphics to their former glory.
A statement from Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities read: "This inauguration marks the addition of a new and important tourist destination to Luxor's West Bank monuments amidst the significant influx of tourists during the winter tourism season. Featuring a multitude of beautifully painted scenes and inscriptions, the tomb offers visitors a captivating and detailed glimpse into ancient Egyptian history."
Luxor, the capital city of ancient Egypt, hides a treasure of attractions and historical places to see. While this new addition is for sure an added incentive to explore the city, there are already enough fascinating places to see around Luxor.
Considered the 'Glorious city' of the god Amon-Ra, the city is like an all-year-round open museum with multiple marvellous attractions.
The sprawling Karnak Temple Complex can easily make you lose yourself. You will require a good number of days to properly soak in all that there is to see. The complex comprises the Great Temple of Amun, the Temple of Khons, the Festival Temple of Tuthmosis III, and various other temples and spots. The complex planning reflects different styles spanning different rulers throughout the New Kingdom. If time is not your friend, it is advisable to take assistance from some of the half-day guided tours of the area for optimum experience. It is best to set aside a significant chunk of time to truly take in the complex and all its offerings. You can hire a taxi if the heat is too much for you and walking across the area seems daunting.
Address: Maabad al-Karnak Street, East Bank, Luxor
The Luxor Temple is an ode to Egypt's history, having been built and rebuilt by succeeding pharaohs, each adding something new to it. First built by Amenophis III, the Luxor temple was dedicated to Amun, his consort Mut, and their son, the moon god Khons. It was later reconstructed by Amenophis, Tutankhamun, Seti I and Ramses II, each adding and removing deities and reliefs. The temple houses chapels dedicated to different gods with individual chambers, a Hypostyle Hall, and a courtyard.
While you are at the temple site, you can easily club your visit with a tour of the Luxor Museum, which is halfway between Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple.
The museum displays a collection from the local area, spanning the history of ancient Thebes, the Old Kingdom, and the Islamic Period. You can marvel at the two Royal Mummies of Ahmose I and Ramses I on the ground floor, while the top floor is taken up with a fascinating display of tomb furnishings, amulets and bowls, and other jewels.
Address: Luxor Corniche, East Bank
The best way to explore any place is on foot. Many might debate this view, but if you want to truly explore the wonders of Luxor, walking between different attractions is the best way to do it. The Avenue of the Sphinxes is an ancient walkway that connects the Karnak Temple and the Luxor Temple and is used for processions. After years of restoration, this walkway was opened to the public in 2021.
Since its opening, this has become the most popular route to travel between the two temples. The 1.7 km long path is lined with statues of rams and sphinxes and used to be the route taken by the temple priests during the annual Opet Festival procession during the New Kingdom. Archaeologists have recovered and reconstructed about a third of the original number of the statues on the walkway, which originally had 1,057 of these statues.
The eternal resting ground of the pharaohs, the Valley of the Kings, is cradled in sand cliffs in Luxor's West Bank. The monarchs from the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties have their tombs here, adorned with meticulously crafted wall paintings. The valley attracts tourists from across the world who want to glimpse Egypt's long history. Witness the journey of the deceased alongside the sun god through the underworld, with the texts and scenes on the tombs' walls supposedly guiding them on this celestial voyage.
With 63 tombs dotting the valley, visitors encounter a roster of illustrious figures from Egyptian lore, including the famed Tutankhamun. A rotation system regulates public access to safeguard these ancient treasures from humidity-induced damage. Early morning visits offer pristine views sans the crowds, as the site opens its gates at 6 am.
Venturing to Luxor's West Bank unveils the Valley of the Queens, which predominantly features tombs from the 19th and 20th dynasties. Despite almost 80 known tombs, many remain unfinished, resembling rudimentary caves etched into the rocky terrain. Italian excavations in the early 20th century unearthed these hidden chambers, adorned with paintings on stucco and sparse inscriptions.
Among the select few open to the public, the Tomb of Queen Nefertari reigns supreme, revered for its opulent displays celebrating her fabled beauty. Reopened in 2016, this masterpiece will take your breath away with its intricate and vibrant scenes, a testament to Egypt's ancient artistry.
For enthusiasts of antiquity, the Tomb of Prince Amen-her-khopshef stands out, boasting well-preserved chambers adorned with vivid colours. Although faded, the enigmatic Tomb of Queen Titi offers glimpses into bygone eras, sparking debates among archaeologists over her royal consort.
There are non-stop flights to Luxor from Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, which takes somewhere between 11 and 13 hours. Indians must apply for an e-visa before travelling to Egypt.