Tomb Families: Private Tomb Distribution in the New Kingdom Theban Necropolis

By (author) Katherine Slinger

Book cover: Tomb Families: Private Tomb Distribution in the New Kingdom Theban Necropolis

Extent: 412 pages

Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing

Subjects: Ancient Egypt

Series: Archaeopress Egyptology

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(February 2022)

ISBN: 9781803270364

8.07 x 11.42 inches

Price: $98.00

In stock

Tomb Families investigates the apparently random distribution of New Kingdom private tombs in the Theban Necropolis by focusing on factors that may have influenced tomb location. This research provides a deeper understanding of the necropolis and how private tombs linked to the wider sacred landscape of Thebes.


Tomb Families investigates the apparently random distribution of New Kingdom private tombs in the Theban Necropolis by focusing on factors which may have influenced tomb location. The Theban Necropolis contains hundreds of tombs belonging to elite individuals, dating from the end of the Old Kingdom through to the Ptolemaic Period, with the vast majority dating to the New Kingdom (c.1550-1077 BC). These tombs are scattered across the landscape at the edge of the desert between the Valley of the Kings to the west, and the row of royal mortuary temples along the edge of the cultivation to the east. GPS surveying has enabled the spatial analysis of these tombs, demonstrating that specific areas of the necropolis were popular at different times and among particular groups of people. Clusters and patterns can be identified between tombs built during the same reign(s), as well as between tomb owners with similar titles and familial connections. The orientation of specific tombs towards Karnak temple, royal mortuary temples and festival processional routes reveals their significance to certain individuals. This research provides a deeper understanding of the necropolis, and how private tombs linked to the wider sacred landscape of Thebes.

Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Topography of the Theban Necropolis Chapter 3: The Earliest Tombs Chapter 4: The New Kingdom Evolution of the Theban Necropolis Chapter 5: Dra Abu el-Naga Chapter 6: Deir el-Bahri Chapter 7: El-Asasif Chapter 8: El-Khokha Chapter 9: Sheikh Abd el-Qurna Chapter 10: Qurnet Murai Chapter 11: Deir el-Medina Chapter 12: Tombs of Viziers and their Colleagues Chapter 13: High Priests of Amun Chapter 14: Final Observations Appendices Appendix 1: Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period Tomb Owners Appendix 2: Middle Kingdom Tomb Owners Appendix 3: Tomb Owners in Dra Abu el-Naga East Appendix 4: Tomb Owners in Dra Abu el-Naga West Appendix 5: Outlying Tombs in Dra Abu el-Naga West Appendix 6: New Kingdom Tomb Owners in Deir el-Bahri Appendix 7: Outlying Tomb Owners in Deir el-Bahri Appendix 8: Tomb Owners in el-Asasif Appendix 9: Tomb Owners in el-Khokha Appendix 10: Outlying Tomb Owners in el-Khokha Appendix 11: Tomb Owners in Upper Qurna Appendix 12: Tomb Owners in Lower Qurna Appendix 13: Tomb Owners in Qurnet Murai Appendix 14: Tomb Owners in Deir el-Medina Bibliography, Chapter 1: Introduction ;

Chapter 2: Topography of the Theban Necropolis ;

Chapter 3: The Earliest Tombs ;

Chapter 4: The New Kingdom Evolution of the Theban Necropolis ;

Chapter 5: Dra Abu el-Naga ;

Chapter 6: Deir el-Bahri ;

Chapter 7: El-Asasif ;

Chapter 8: El-Khokha ;

Chapter 9: Sheikh Abd el-Qurna ;

Chapter 10: Qurnet Murai ;

Chapter 11: Deir el-Medina ;

Chapter 12: Tombs of Viziers and their Colleagues ;

Chapter 13: High Priests of Amun ;

Chapter 14: Final Observations ;

Appendices ;

Appendix 1: Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period Tomb OwnersAppendix 2: Middle Kingdom Tomb OwnersAppendix 3: Tomb Owners in Dra Abu el-Naga EastAppendix 4: Tomb Owners in Dra Abu el-Naga WestAppendix 5: Outlying Tombs in Dra Abu el-Naga WestAppendix 6: New Kingdom Tomb Owners in Deir el-BahriAppendix 7: Outlying Tomb Owners in Deir el-BahriAppendix 8: Tomb Owners in el-AsasifAppendix 9: Tomb Owners in el-KhokhaAppendix 10: Outlying Tomb Owners in el-KhokhaAppendix 11: Tomb Owners in Upper QurnaAppendix 12: Tomb Owners in Lower QurnaAppendix 13: Tomb Owners in Qurnet MuraiAppendix 14: Tomb Owners in Deir el-Medina Bibliography

  • By (author) Katherine Slinger