Al-Maala necropolis site in Upper Egypt documented

The archaeological documentation of Al-Maala necropolis in Isna Governorate in Upper Egypt has been completed.

The Al-Maala necropolis [Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities]

Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Director General of the Antiquities Documentation Center at the Ministry of Antiquities explains that the documentation work was carried out by an Egyptian mission from the centre and Al-Maala necropolis has a very important archaeological importance because it was the cemetery of the rulers of the third nome of Upper Egypt during the Third Intermediate Period.

He went on saying that the mission has documented the architecture of the seven tombs that compose the necropolis as well as their engravings and paintings. All the pillars found in them were also documented and given a special number .

Pillars tomb [Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities]

The Al Maala necropolis consists of seven tombs divided into two groups: the southern and northern groups.

The southern group, Dr El- Leithy said is composed of three tombs and the main one belongs to Ankh-Tify, the ruler of 'Nekhen" area found between Edfu and Isna towns during the reign of king "Nefer-Ka-Re" of the Third Intermediate Period.

Pillars tomb [Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities]

The tomb is decorated with his biography and different titles as well as information about the period of history where he has lived in.

Meanwhile the two other tombs, are not identified yet.

Decorated pillar found inside one of the tombs 
[Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities]

But one of them is decorated with scenes showing the process of grains storage as well as the tomb"s owner in different positions with his family members. The second tomb has no decorations.

The southern group at the necropolis, Dr. El-Leithy said, consists of four tombs the main one belongs to prince "Sobek Hetep" believed to be the son of ruler "Ankh- Tify." The tomb has daily life decorations. It is surrounded with three other undecorated tombs that are not yet identified.

Source: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities [June 22, 2017]