Egyptian Tombs
which are open to the public
Giza, Egypt

Many tombs are being opened to the public, some for the first time. Here's some of the more recent tomb openings

Newly Opened Tombs:

This tomb is located south of the Great Pyramid and is dated to Dynasty 6 of the Old Kingdom. Seshem-Nefer was the overseer of the two seats of the House of Life. He was also guardian of the king's secrets. The tomb is dated to the end of the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. It is located to the southeast of the Great Pyramid, and it is one of the largest tombs at Giza. It is very special because contains both fimerary scenes and depictions of daily life. Of the loveliest scenes is a depiction of the offering bearers and a scene of the deceased and his wife hunting in a marsh. The entrance to the tomb is flanked by two statues of the deceased. The tomb has a forecourt and is fronted with pillars. It also contains an inner hall, an outer hall, and finally an offering room. It also has a vestibule, court, and a pillared hall. The tomb was discovered by Junker, a German Egyptologist.

2. Technical restoration: salt was removed from the structures where necessary, and paintings and inscriptions on the walls were conserved.

This next group of the tombs is located on the west side of the Great Pyramid:

These tombs were discovered sixty years ago by George Reisner from fine arts and were in a bad condition.
The tombs were restored by adding the missing pillars. Inscribed blocks were restored on the walls. Ceilings were put above the tombs for protection. Also an electrical system was installed. The floors were protected by wood. The tombs date to Dyn.5 about 4200 years

1- The tomb of Senedjem -ib - Inty who was the vizier, chief justice and over- seer of all the king's work. The tomb has very important daily life scenes, such as fishing scenes, offering bearers, agriculture scenes.


2- Tomb of Khnum- Inty it is located near the first tomb and the owner was a royal scribe, overseer of the granary and of all the kings work. The tomb contains funeral scenes and offering scenes. Here is a picture of the false door:


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3- Tomb of Akhet-Mehu
this tomb contains scenes of daily life and religious scenes. Here is a view of the chapel:

4- Tomb of Senedjem-ib -Mehu he was the chief justice, vizier and the royal architect in the two houses. This picture shows its false Door.

Tombs on the south of the causeway of Khafre:

There are ten tombs are located in this area. Most of these tombs were covered with sand and were completely hidden until Selim Hassan's excavations in the 1930's. Excavation were started to clean the area and to begin the restoration of these tombs. Lighting was installed, the inscriptions were restored, and the tomb walls were reinforced.

Tomb of Debehen
He was the lector priest and the overseer of the divine places of the great palace. Debehen left inscription in the tomb relating that he met King Menkaure during his inspection in the area. He asked the king for permission to build a tomb for himself. Then the king ordered the overseer of all his works to cut limestone from the royal Quarry at Tura to build his tomb. Debehen recorded this event on his tomb. There are very interesting scenes on this tomb of the funeral of a nobleman.

Dr. Hawass points out an inscription in the newly opened Tomb of Debhen                                                                                     

Tomb of Yun-Min
He was the eldest son of king Menkaure, vizier and Judge. This tomb has a unique architecture style.

Dr. Zahi Hawass, Director of the Giza Pyramids and Saqqara,
Undersecretary of the State for the Giza Monuments

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Photos by Andrew Bayuk
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