Aswan Nobles Tombs

Tombs for local governors, princes, and other ancient dignitaries are carved into the Cliffside of the hill on the Nile’s West bank and form collectively part of the Aswan’s Nobles’ tombs. This series of gorgeous decorated tombs are artistic treasures,  artwork whose concern for everyday life scenes provides a refreshing change from royal art.

The 80 tombs are numbered in ascending order from South to North and are all situated at different heights, from the Old and Middle Kingdoms to the Roman Period (2687 BC – 337 AD). A set of stairs cutting diagonally across the hill takes you up to the tombs from the ferry landing. Unfortunately, due to the steepness of the climb, this site is often neglected and very few people visit it. However, it is well worth the effort for the view of The Nile from the top.

At the crest of the hill is the domed tomb of a Muslim Sheikh which gives the hill its local name, Qubbet el-Hawa or ‘Dome of the Winds’.

The tombs are decorated with wall paintings, depicting scenes of everyday life. Fine hieroglyphic inscriptions and biographies tell the story’s of the noblemen’s journeys into Africa. Many tombs have become joined together, as family members added their own chambers to the same tomb.

It is lit up by spotlights at night and looks particularly magical when viewed from across the river, and the site itself offers a great view over The Nile Valley.

What to see:

Sirenput I Tomb is dedicated to the overseer of the priests and a Governor of Elephantine during the 12th-dynasty reign of Sesostris I (1971–1928 BC). The tomb pillars bear portraits and biographical texts.

The largest, best-preserved tomb belongs to Sirenput II, who held the same offices as his father Sirenput I, during the Middle Kingdom. The tomb is decorated with statues of Sirenput, with vividly coloured portraits on the four pillars of the chapel, where the artist’s grid lines are visible in places. Best of all is the recess at the back, where Sirenput appears with his wife and son, attending his seated wife in a garden and receiving flowers from his son.

Pepi-Nakht, also known as Hekaib, was an overseer of foreign soldiers during the reign of Pepi II, 6th Dynasty (2300-2206 BC), he was deemed a god after his death. Inside the tomb, there are fine reliefs showing fighting bulls, hunting scenes, and biographical texts.

Harkhuf was the overseer of foreign troops under Pepi I, Merenre, and Pepi II during the 6th Dynasty (2354 -2206 BC). His tomb is hardly decorated, but it is famous for Harkhuf’s biographical text and a copy of a letter from Pepi II requesting that Harkhuf should hurry to bring the young king a dancing pigmy from an expedition into Africa.

Mekhu and Sabni were both governors from the reign of Pharaoh Pepi II (2300-2206 BC). The adjacent tombs of a father and son are interesting for their size and for their story. There are some lovely hunting and fishing scenes depicting him with his daughters in the pillared hall.

Khunes was a Lector Priest and Chancellor during the 6th Dynasty (2354 -2206 BC). A side chamber was re-used as a Coptic cell. The tomb contains scenes of the deceased and his family in daily life.