The Tomb of Ankhtifi

The tomb of the provincial governor and warlord Ankhtifi, is at the centre of the el Moalla burial complex and dates back to the First Intermediate Period. This was a period of around 100 years of turmoil after the breakdown of the Old Kingdom, and before the Middle Kingdom, when Egypt once again had a single ruler. The Middle Kingdom started around 2080 BC, which means that the tomb of Ankhtifi is over 4000 years old.

The area looks as though it was chosen because it is a natural pyramid.

The natural pyramid shape can be clearly seen in this picture, and there are many tombs here, though only two that are open to the public, and only one - that of Ankhtifi - that makes the journey worthwhile to anyone less than an expert.

The entrance to Ankhtifi's tomb is the dark area at the centre of the picture, and thankfully once through the doorway you are directly in the tomb.

The light comes from the entrance which is on the left of this picture, directly in line to the cordoned off shaft to the burial chamber.

On the pillar on the far side of the shaft is a carving of Ankhtifi, which is more clearly seen in the next picture.

In this carving, Ankhtifi is shown looking out of his tomb. Directly opposite there is another showing him looking into his tomb.

On the back wall behind the shaft we see Ankhtifi and his wife seated. Apart from this, little remains of the detail on this section of the wall.

Looking from the back of the tomb to the left hand side of the entrance, and though the wall is badly damaged, the scenes are very interesting.

They show, amongst others, this fishing scene - of which we can only show you a section of in this picture.

This very detailed scene shows many types of fish.

The use of colours is quite different to what we are used to seeing in the Theban tombs.

Just one of many scenes painted on the columns. You can see more in the next picture.

Here we look across from the left side of the tomb.

It is on the back wall on this side of the tomb, that the line of donkeys are painted.