Deutsch hier klicken !
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|||
 |
 |
|||
|
|
|||
 |
 |
Deir el-Medina is one of Egypt's archaeological gems. Located in a little valley on the west bank across from Luxor are the well-preserved foundations of a village that was used for about 500 years during the New Kingdom. Its inhabitants included the workmen and artisans who constructed the New Kingdom royal tombs in the nearby Valley of the Kings.
The name Deir el-Medina comes from the Arabic meaning "monastery of the town" because of the presence of a Ptolamaic temple nearby which was once used as a Coptic monastery. The village was first excavated early this century by Ernesto Schiaparelli, but considerable valuable work was carried out later by Bernard Bruyere and Jaroslav Cerny.
Valuable records of life in the ancient village were found in the remains of the houses and nearby in an enormous pit located on the other side of the temple - take great care if approaching this pit. The records were in the form of ostraca (fragments of limestone and potsherds used for writing) and papyri.
Most tourists have their first sight of Deir el-Medina from the southside as they enter the little valley in their tourist buses or taxis.
One of the most popular tombs on the hillside is that of Sennedjem - this means that there can sometimes be a wait for entry, although there is some shelter and books and postcards are for sale adjacent to the entrance. Sennedjem lived in the 19th Dynasty during the reigns of Seti I and Ramesses II.
Another tomb often included in a visit to Deir el-Medina is that of Inherkhau who served as a Foreman on the royal tomb construction teams during the 20th Dynasty.
A lovely tomb that has been opened to the public in recent times is that of Pashedu. It is located further along the western hillside than the previously mentioned tombs.
