Travel to Egypt: Tomb of Ramose

This is the first of five tombs of Theban nobles. All are within a couple of hundred feet of each other. All are easy to overlook, because all are dug into the earth, without external monuments. All have elaborate decoration. Yet each is different in key respects, and all, because they portray the life of ancient Egyptians, are instructive. We begin with the tomb of Ramose, whose name means "Ra is born." He was vizier, mayor, judge, and overseer of priests.

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The debris was cleared from his and several nearby tombs in the 1920s.

Ramose died young, and the walls were never painted. Still, they were carved to perfection. Here, priests pour purifying water over Ramose, who wears simple clothes but an amulet on a string of gold beads.

Food for the funeral banquet.

Relatives in attendance.

Another couple.