Tombs of the Nobles (Amarna)




Located in Middle Egypt, the Tombs of the Nobles at Amarna are the burial places of some of the powerful courtiers and persons of the city of Akhetaten.
The tombs are in 2 groups, cut into the cliffs and bluffs in the east of the dry bay of Akhetaten. There are 25 major tombs, many of them decorated and with their owners name, some are small and unfinished, others modest and unassuming. Each seems to reflect the personality and patronage of the tomb's original owner.

Northern tombs

These tombs are located in two groups in the cliffs overlooking the city of Akhetaten, to the north and east of the city. They are split into two groups by a Wadi, and are near one of the Boundary Stelae.
Tomb numberOwnerTitleComments
Amarna Tomb 1HuyaSteward of Queen Tiye
Amarna Tomb 2Meryre IIOverseer of the houses in the royal quarters of the Great Royal Wife Neferneferuaten-Nefertiti
Amarna Tomb 3AhmesSealbearer of the King of Lower Egypt, Steward in the house of Akhenaten
Amarna Tomb 4Meryra Greatest of seers of the Aten in AkhetatenIncomplete. Had it been completed, it would have been the largest of the noble's tombs.
Amarna Tomb 5PenthuFirst servant of the Aten in the mansion of the Aten in Akhetaten, Chief of physicians, chamberlainThe tomb was cross-shaped, containing a long outer hall, and a long transverse hall, containing the burial shaft and a now destroyed shrine to Penthu. Only the outer hall is decorated.
Amarna Tomb 6PanehsyFirst servant of the Aten in the house of Aten in AkhetatenThis was originally a two-roomed tomb; each of the rooms had four columns. Later reuse as a Coptic church has changed the layout and damaged the original decoration.

Desert altars

At a short distance to the west and north of the Northern Tombs lie the remains of three large mud-brick solar altars in the form of platforms with ramps. The reason for their location is not clear. Their connection with an ancient road leading to the Northern Tombs would seem to be a sign that they were for the benefit of those buried in them.

Southern tombs

The southern tombs are located in a series of low bluffs south and east of the main city. Associated with these tombs a recently discovered workers cemetery has been found.
Tomb numberOwnerTitleComments
Amarna Tomb 7ParenneferCupbearer of the king's PersonParennefer had another tomb in Thebes, TT188
Amarna Tomb 7a,b,cUnknownSmall unfinished tombs located near Tomb 7.
Amarna Tomb 8TutuChamberlain of the Lord of the Two Lands, etc.
Amarna Tomb 9MahuChief of the Medjay of Akhetaten
Amarna Tomb 9a,b,cUnknownSmall unfinished tombs located near Tomb 9.
Amarna Tomb 10IpyKing's scribe, the overseer of the large inner palace of the pharaoh
Amarna Tomb 11RamoseScribe of Recruits, General of the Lord of the Two Lands
Amarna Tomb 12NakhtpaatenHereditary prince, count, sealbearer, overseer of the city and vizier, etc.
Amarna Tomb 13NeferkheperuhesekheperMayor of Akhetaten
Amarna Tomb 14MayGeneral of the Lord of the Two Lands, etc.
Amarna Tomb 15SutiStandard-bearer of the company of Neferkheprure-Waenre
Amarna Tomb 16unknown
Amarna Tomb 17unknown
Amarna Tomb 18unknownOnly the facade of the tomb was completed
Amarna Tomb 19SatauTreasurer of the Lord of the Two Lands
Amarna Tomb 20unknownThe lintel shows the royal family adoring the Aten
Amarna Tomb 21unknown
Amarna Tomb 22unknownThe lintel shows the royal family adoring the Aten
Amarna Tomb 23AnyScribe of the offering table of the Lord of the Two Lands, Steward of the House of Aakheprure, etc.
Amarna Tomb 24PaatenemhebGeneral of the Lord of the Two Lands, Steward of the Lord of the Two Lands
Amarna Tomb 25AyFanbearer on the right of the King, God's Father, The commander of all the horses of his PersonAy was a future pharaoh of Ancient Egypt
Southern Tomb 25aIa

Rediscovery and excavation

Some the tombs have obviously been open since antiquity, and have been used variously as burial places in the Ptolemaic times, store houses, houses and as coptic churches.