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Egyptian Necropolises

Necropolises were the final resting places of the ancient Egyptians, and were integral to their beliefs and practices surrounding death and the afterlife. These sites were not just tombs, but also served as centers for religious rituals, offerings, and commemoration.

The most famous necropolises in Egypt are located in the Valley of the Kings, on the west bank of the Nile river in Luxor. The Valley of the Kings was the burial place of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom period, and contains over 60 tombs, including the tomb of Tutankhamun,  which was famously discovered by Howard Carter in 1922.

Another notable necropolis is the Valley of the Queens, located near the Valley of the Kings, which was the burial place of many of the pharaohs' consorts and their children.

The necropolis at Saqqara is also of great historical and archaeological significance, and contains the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the first pyramid ever built, as well as many other tombs and monuments.

Necropolises were not just reserved for the elite, however. Many other tombs and cemeteries have been discovered throughout Egypt, revealing the burial practices of people from all walks of life, from the wealthy nobles to the common people.

Lisht Middle Kingdom necropolis area.

800 Ancient Egyptian Tombs Discovered at Middle Kingdom Necropolis

The Ministry of Antiquities and the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt have announced the discovery of over 800 ancient tombs, including some completely new finds. The newly found tombs are in a...
A sarcophagus that was discovered is displayed at the site of an ancient Egyptian cemetery, in Minya province, Egypt, on Feb. 24, 2018.

Discovery of a Necropolis Yields 1000s of Artifacts, Mummies and Ritually Buried Moon Priest

An ancient Egyptian burial ground has been unearthed containing the ritually buried remains of a sacred priest of the moon god Thoth. Egypt’s Antiquities Ministry, Kaled El-Enany, announced on...
Mummies of a woman and two children found in burial chamber at Draa Abul Naga, Luxor

Rich Pickings in Luxor As Two Family Tombs are Found Including that of a Royal Goldsmith

In ongoing explorations of a necropolis at Luxor, archaeologists have opened a new tomb and the findings have been rich. Amongst the 3,500-year-old treasures are jewels, sarcophagi, pottery and four...
The five Roman tombs found at the Beir Al-Shaghala site in the Dakhla Oasis of Egypt's Western Desert.

Roman Era Tombs Discovered in Egypt Reveal Diverse Trends in Burial Architecture and Grave Goods

Not all Egyptian tombs are alike. Apart from the impact of social status, there is also a difference in architectural styles and burial preferences over the long history of their existence. This can...
Ankhesenamun Hands Tutankhamun an Arrow.

Tomb Could Be That of Tutankhamun’s Wife and Egyptian Leading Lady Ankhesenamun

Egyptologists believe they may be on the verge of a major discovery related to a leading lady of ancient Egypt. A new tomb found in the Valley of the Kings may have been created as the final resting...
One of the newly-discovered mummies - Egypt

New Necropolis Containing at Least Seventeen Mummies Unearthed in Egypt

Archaeologists have discovered nearly 20 mummies in a complex of catacombs in Minya province, south of Cairo. The ancient artifacts were reportedly found at the Tuna Al-Gabal site at the city in...
Collection of Egyptian Art, design by Anand Balaji

The Magic, Mystery and Madness of Tomb 55: Shadowy Sovereigns and Risky Reburials–Part IV

The German Egyptologist Walther Wolf was unsparing in his description of Akhenaten, calling him a man who epitomized “sick ugliness and nervous decadence”. The greatest irony of the entire Amarna...
The Tomb of Pharaoh Seti I:  A Missing Mummy, An Unexpected Tunnel and a Mummified Bull

The Tomb of Pharaoh Seti I: A Missing Mummy, An Unexpected Tunnel and a Mummified Bull

The mummified face of Pharaoh Sety I (Seti I) still shows that he was not only extremely powerful but also very handsome during his lifetime. Sety’s tomb was brought back to the world on October 16,...
A Dream Destination for Egyptologists: The Amazing Amarna Necropolis

A Dream Destination for Egyptologists: The Amazing Amarna Necropolis

Amarna is a dream destination for many Egyptologists. The temples, tombs, and houses left by the people who lived in the area thousands of years ago make up one of the most impressive discoveries in...
Photograph of one of the chamber walls of the sarcophagus of Seti I, where you can see hieroglyphics regarding the second hour of the Book of Amduat and the sky and its constellations.

The Impressive Tomb of Pharaoh Seti I to Be Reborn in 3D

Seti I, son of Ramses I, was the chief of archers and a vizier. But before being a soldier and Pharaoh, he was a priest of Set, linked with Horus - the god of weapons, war, and the army. During his...
Valley of the Queens near Luxor, Egypt.

Ta Set Neferu: Tombs of the Princes and Princesses – Part II

( Read Part I ) In the first part, a brief history of the research and the story of Ramesside women and their famous tombs were described. In the second part, the adventurous travel through the...
General view of the Valley of the Queens

Ta Set Neferu – A Valley Where Beauties Sleep – Part I

The Valley of the Queens is a popular necropolis located on the south west of the village and temples of Medinet Habu. Along with the Valley of the Kings, it's one of the most fascinating...
The stone sarcophagus containing the mummy of King Tut is seen in his underground tomb.

More Evidence Supports Claim Hidden Chamber in Tutankhamun Tomb Contains Another Burial

Last month, the Tourism Minister of Egypt Hisham Zaazou appeared to have slipped up during a visit to Spain when he said the hidden chamber being investigated in Tutankhamun’s tomb is “full of...
Decorative wall

Satellite Imaging Exposes 4,000-year-old Tomb in the Dahshur Necropolis

A Middle Kingdom (c. 2000 BC – c.1700 BC) rock-cut tomb was discovered recently in El-Lisht, Egypt, which was the ancient archaeological site of the Dahshur necropolis. The tomb is located to the...
The Abusir boat.
Ministry of Antiquities, Egypt.

Sarcophagus of Egyptian High Priest Unearthed with Hieroglyphic Inscriptions and Scenes of Offerings

The sarcophagus of a high priest of the ancient Egyptian god Amun Ra has been unearthed in Egypt. The well preserved sarcophagus, discovered by a team of archaeologists within the 3,400-year-old tomb...
The desecrated royal coffin found in Tomb KV55.

The Mystery of Egyptian Tomb KV55 in the Valley of the Kings

In 1907, a mysterious tomb was discovered in Egypt. Known as KV55, the tomb contained a variety of artifacts and a single body. Identification of the body has been complicated by the fact that the...
Tombs in the Valley of the Kings

More than 50 royal Egyptian mummies unearthed in Valley of the Kings

In a remarkable new discovery, archaeologists have uncovered a massive tomb in the West Bank of the Nile Valley of the Kings in Luxor containing more than 50 royal Egyptians, including four princes,...
Imhotep Tomb Saqqara

The Lost Tomb of Imhotep?

One of the more terrifying films that I remember watching as a child was Stephen Sommers’, The Mummy (1999). In that film, the main antagonist was a character called Imhotep, who was the high priest...

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