Tombs of the Nobles

Tombs of the Nobles in Aswan: An Ancient Legacy

The tombs of the rulers, gatekeepers and other dignitaries of ancient Elephantine Island are scattered on the slopes opposite Aswan just north of Kitchener Island which is called the Aswan Botanical Gardens The tombs are still being excavated with artifacts found in 2014 and 2017 Currently six of the tombs are open to the public and can be visited on Egypt tour packages for longer stays in Aswan, Luxor and Cairo

The tombs date back to the Old and Middle Kingdoms and most follow the same plan with an entrance hall consisting of a columned room and a passage leading to the burial chamber a staircase that cuts through the hill takes you from the ferry dock to the tombs You should visit these tombs on Egypt tours that give you an unforgettable trip.

The tombs of father and son Mekhu and Sapni (KV 25 and 26) both rulers date from the reign of Pharaoh Pepi II of the Sixth Dynasty (2278-2184 BC). The reliefs in Sapni’s tomb tell of how he led his army into Nubia to punish the tribe that had killed his father in a previous campaign and to retrieve his body. When he returned Pepi II sent royal embalmers and professional mourners to show how important the guardians of the southern border were. Many of the reliefs in Sapni’s tomb still retain their original colours and there are some beautiful hunting and fishing scenes of him with his daughters in the pillared hall which you can visit and see all of these monuments through Egypt luxury tours because they provide you with a happy trip.

Serenput was the local governor and overseer of the priests of Satet and Khnum during the reign of the Twelfth Dynasty Pharaoh Amenemhat II (1922-1878 BC) The tomb of Serenput II (31) is one of the most Beautiful and best preserved tombs you should visit it Through Egypt Private Tours to enjoy all the peace and privacy and the colors are still vibrant The entrance room with six columns leads to a corridor with 6 niches with statues of Serenput The burial chamber contains 4 columns and a place with frescoes depicting Serenput with his wife (on the right) and his mother (on the left) and hunting and fishing scenes If you want to experience this place with your family Egypt Family Tours will help you in this and create an unforgettable experience for you.

The tomb of Harkhuf (34) the ruler of the south during the reign of Pepi II is barely decorated except for some wonderful hieroglyphics about his three trade missions to Central Africa to the right of the entrance If you want to explore this place you can through Egypt vacation packages Here Pepi II an 8 years old boy advises Harkhuf to take extra care of the dancing dwarf he brought back from his travels as the pharaoh was very keen to see him in Memphis Harkhuf writes My Majesty desires to see this dwarf more than the gifts of Sinai or Punt. Explore more with our Egypt budget tours if you want a tour at a reasonable price Look closely to see the small hieroglyph of the dwarf several times in the text.

Hakaib also known as Pepinakhti was an overseer of foreign soldiers during the reign of Pepi II sent to suppress rebellions in Nubia and Palestine and was even deified after his death as evidenced by the small shrine to Hakaib built on Elephantine Island during the Middle Kingdom (c 1900 BC) which can be visited with Egypt travel packages. Inside Hakaib’s tomb (35) are impressive carvings of fighting bulls and hunting scenes which can be visited with Egypt holiday packages.

The tomb of the court of Serenput I (36) grandfather of Serenput II and ruler during the reign of Sesostris I in the Twelfth Dynasty (1965-1920 BC) contains the remains of 6 columns with bas-reliefs on both sides of the entrance showing Serenput followed by his dogs the sandal bearer his flower-bearing harem his wife and his three sons If you are a woman you can enjoy it with your friends on the Egypt woman tours.