Mission Archéologique Dans La Nécropole Thébaine Naglaa Habib El Zahlawi

Fieldwork started under the direction of Prof. Dr. Roland TEFNIN, Free University of Brussels, as from 1st Oct to 31st Oct 1999 and from 9th January to 11th February 2000 aiming tombs of high ranked officials Sennefer TT96 A and TT29 of Amenhotep located in Sheikh Abdel Gourna, Luxor. The two high officials under the reign of Amenhotep II revealed two shafts and a burial chamber as well as the original architecture of the courtyard.

L' Univérsité Libre de Bruxelles and the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research advanced needed funds for this important work that remained partly unpublished yet. A parallel study was established between tombs TT29 and TT96A as both owners had second tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Archaeological work, thoroughly conducted by the acting team, concentrated on the clearance of the courtyard in TT29 where four levels have significant indications. Level I show remains of a sub-modern house. Level II, where Coptic remains was found, revealed well preserved ostracas and pottery fragments.

Painted jar produced in Aswan - Coptic 7th c AD

The 105 ostraca fragments represent a well-known monk's correspondence, Abba Frange already known from similar letters discovered in the Coptic town erected over the ruins of the funerary Temple of Ramses III in Medinet Habu and referred to the early 7th century AD. Level III revealed Byzantine pottery sherds. The found sherds represent different occupation periods of the tomb and a preliminary study of this abundant material has been already undertaken by Laurent Bavay, an Archaeologist, ceramologist. Over level IV, an intact jar was found together with fragments of a painted coffin related to the 26th Dynasty, the Saite Period. The shaft, to the southwest side of the courtyard, revealed a remarkable ushabti dating to the Ramesside period, beads and amulets, tools, sculpture fragments, stone vessels, papyrus, cartonnage…etc.

An oven for bread backing was found in the northern side of the courtyard.

The western part revealed four fragmentary amphorae with heretic inscriptions considered as the earliest attested specimen of wine jar dockets. Also found an intact canopic jar in pottery, several fragments of wooden furniture the foot of a chair in the form of a lion's leg, a wooden box of ushabtis with painted decorations representing the tree goddess pouring fresh water on the deceased and his Ba and a wooden ushabti.

These discoveries represent an interesting contribution to the socio-economic study of the mid-18th Dynasty and the 600 found objects specially wrapping shrouds will facilitate a preliminary typology of the different weaving methods as suggested by SCA conservator Lotfi Khaled Hassan who participated greatly in the restoration of Nefertari Tomb. Mr. Hassan is actually involved with the Oriental Institute Epigraphic Survey taking place in Medinet Habu.

Pottery cup containing red pigments, probably part of a painter's utensils, found in the northwest corner of the courtyard (New Kingdom)

Conservator Lotfi Khaled carrying a cleaning test on the ceiling of the chapel TT29. revealing the original colours preserved under the black soot.

This activity didn't prevent him from carrying a cleaning test on the paintings over the walls and ceilings of the tomb's chapel. The important practiced tests revealed the original colours preserved under the black soot that covers the walls and ceilings, as well as the clear hieroglyphic inscriptions that could be easily read. Four cleaning tests have been applied in TT29 and two in TT 96A.These tests in both tombs will serve as a basis to set a firm conservation project to be totally applied during the coming working seasons considering all technical observations.

Cleaning test in Chapel TT96a, a register in the scene, the "Gifts of the New Year", revealing precious vases, royal statues, and a stela.

Another cleaning test in Chapel TT96a, a small portion of the register, the "Garden of Amun", shows the bright colours of the vineyard and the building housing royal statues.