15/04/2018
Luxor is about to have a new tourist attraction.
When you explore the wonderfully-decorated "Tombs of the Nobles" on the West Bank at Luxor, this is what you rarely see - teams of dedicated Egyptian professionals preparing the tombs for your visit - and posterity.
This is TT 286, the tomb of Niay who was a "Scribe of the Table" during the New Kingdom Ramesside period. He may have been responsible for the account-keeping of the royal produce that went to the offering tables in one of Luxor's temples, or perhaps he was in charge of the allocation of food from the table of the king to his high officials.
Either way, Niay's high status entitled he and his wife Tabes to a fine tomb at Dra Abu el-Naga, with an enviable view overlooking the Nile and the great temples on the other side.
The American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) has been running conservation and archaeology field schools for Ministry of Antiquities employees, providing training in the delicate task of tomb cleaning and conservation, as well as site management to prepare and improve the sites for tourists.
The conservation at TT 286 has been completed, and recently the tomb was fitted with solar powered, motion-sensor lighting, which activates only when someone enters the tomb. New stairways are currently being built leading up to the tomb, and next comes signage - and a grand opening. John Shearman, ARCE's Associate Director at Luxor is coordinating with USAID and the Ministry for the opening - hopefully, sometime before June.
The 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Research Centre in Egypt is just a few days away, in Tucson, Arizona. It's one of the largest gatherings of Egyptologists and enthusiasts in the world, and this year includes a special keynote address from Zahi Hawass.
To find out more, head to www.arce.org/annual-meeting
Photo: Khadija Adam.
