The Reliefs of Khaemhat's Tomb

The Theban Tomb TT57 is located in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna as part of the Theban Necropolis on the west bank of the Nile opposite Luxor. It is the burial place of the ancient Egyptian official Khaemhat, who served as royal scribe and overseer of the double granary during the reign of Amenhotep III. The tomb's relief decoration is regarded as the best of New Kingdom art.

TT57 lies directly next to TT102 and TT126, sharing a courtyard as an entrance area. On the west side of this courtyard is the entrance to the cult chapel of Khaemhat, which is cut into the rocks. The facade of the chapel is decorated with stelae and scenes, including a well-preserved stela showing Khaemhat pouring water over a shrine containing the four sons of Horis, Isis, Nephthys, Selket, and Neith.

From the courtyard, a passage inscribed with a hymn to the sun-god Ra leads to a broad hall decorated with reliefs about Khaemhat's life as overseer of the double granary. The East wall preserves agricultural scenes including ploughing and harvesting, featuring unusual details such as a boy playing a flute and farm workers wearing sandals. Additionally, the tomb contains a rare market scene depicting Nubians as sellers of goods for ships belonging to the royal palace.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons