Tombe thébaine n° 33 (TT 33) | Carnet de la mission épigraphique française dans la tombe de Padiaménopé (Pétaménophis) (7e s. av. J-Chr.)

Good website of one of the South Assasif Late period tombs



Tombe thébaine n° 33 (TT 33) | Carnet de la mission épigraphique française dans la tombe de Padiaménopé (Pétaménophis) (7e s. av. J-Chr.)

Happy Christmas from all of us in Luxor

The Flats in Luxor Xmas Eleves

Egyptian antiquities minister cancels Luxor Museum celebration after Coptic Cathedral bombing - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online

Egyptian antiquities minister cancels Luxor Museum celebration after Coptic Cathedral bombing - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online: Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany will inaugurate a temporary exhibition to mark the 41st anniversary of Luxor Museum on Monday but the planned celebration afterwards has been cancelled after Sunday's bombing at the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo.

Hidden Luxor 2nd Edition

I have completed the 2^nd edition of Hidden Luxor with updated sites and disability tips.  There are an extra 6,200 words, so lots of good stuff.

 

Now here is a special FREE offer to all current owners. If you provide proof of purchase and a review on Amazon of the first edition I will GIVE you a copy of the 2^nd edition eBook. Email me and you will get the eBook by return. Giving me reviews will ensure I get lots of new sales so we both win.

Sa Re Gourmet Shop Al Gezera village West Bank

It was only last night that I noticed this new shop in the village so I dont actually know when it opened. Their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SaReEgypt. with more details. I bought the duck meat spread and it was lovely, very rich. They are open 10-1 and 5-8. It is super clean!

Nice to have another excellent shop on the West bank. Atta the baker being the other one.

British delegation praises security at Luxor Airport | Egypt Independent

British delegation praises security at Luxor Airport | Egypt Independent: A British delegation from the Civil Aviation Authority praised the security measures followed at Luxor International Airport.

Even more Info on the Luxor Pass

This update is important as they mention Euros

Last Tuesday (22 November 2016), Karin Khalif and Marcel went to see Ahmed Khalifa, Director of Public Relations at the Ministry of Antiquities Office in Luxor, to get some answers
The Luxor Pass:

There are 4 versions of the Pass:
• The Red Pass:
Gives you access to all the museums and (open) tombs in the Luxor area, including (about 10-15 minutes) access to the tombs of Nefertari (QV66) and the tomb of Seti I (KV17)
• The Blue Pass:
Same as above, but without access to Nefertari and Seti I tombs
• The Yellow Pass (For students only):
Gives you access to all the museums and (open) tombs in the Luxor area, including (about 10-15 minutes) access to the tombs of Nefertari (QV66) and the tomb of Seti I (KV17)
• The Green Pass (For Students Only):
Same as above, but without access to Nefertari and Seti I tombs.
All Luxor Passes have a validity of 5 CONSECUTIVE days.
What does the Luxor Pass cost:
The Red Pass: U$ 200,-
The Blue Pass: U$ 100,-
The Yellow Pass: U$ 100,-
The Green Pass: U$ 50,-
Where can I buy the Luxor Pass:
To purchase a Luxor Pass, you will need a passport photograph and a photocopy of your passport details page. Take these to the Department of Foreign Cultural Relations at the Ministry of Antiquities in Zamalek or from the Public Relations Office in the Luxor Inspectorate, which is behind the Luxor Museum on the east bank of Luxor, behind the Museum. The office is open 9:00 am to 4:30 pm each day, Monday to Friday.
How can I pay for the Luxor Pass?

In Cash only. Although the tickets are priced in US Dollars, Mr. Ahmed Khalifa told us, that they accept Euros too. The Red Pass (U$ 200,-) will cost you € 180,-. If you do the math, the following prices would apply (although these can be different, depending on the exchange rate $ - €):

The Red Pass: € 180,-
The Blue Pass: € 90,-
The Yellow Pass: € 90,-
The Green Pass: € 45,-
How long does it take to make the pass?
The pass will be made on the spot, so it shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes.
NOTES:

• The pass can ONLY be paid for in US Dollars or Euros. You CANNOT pay in Egyptian Pounds or any other foreign currency.

• There is NO possibility to pay with Credit or Debit Card
• You have to bring your passport and a pass photo. If you do not have a pass photo (which can be easily obtained in Luxor), bring a copy of your passport. This will be attached to the back of your Luxor Pass.
• Students have to bring their University pass or other proof of being a student.

Metropolis discovered in Abydos in the Upper Egypt's governorate of Sohag - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online

Not Luxor but very very very close

Metropolis discovered in Abydos in the Upper Egypt's governorate of Sohag - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online: Metropolis discovered in Abydos in the Upper Egypt's governorate of Sohag
A necropolis and residential settlement were uncovered in Abydos in Sohag, almost 400 km south of the temple of King Seti I

Diplomatic convoy’s safe passage across Upper Egypt is clear sign of stability: German ambassador - Daily News Egypt

Diplomatic convoy’s safe passage across Upper Egypt is clear sign of stability: German ambassador - Daily News Egypt: Diplomatic convoy’s safe passage across Upper Egypt is clear sign of stability: German ambassador

Germany is providing “political support” to Egypt as it carries out its economic reform programme, says ambassador Julius Georg Luy

Feedback on use of the Luxor Pass

I do suggest when you get the pass you ask for Ahmed's phone number to sort these teething problems

Karren Tuffs This is the reverse Jane Akshar. We have had issues We went into Luxor Museum first. They took our passes inside the museum and said they needed to take them to the manager. 15 minutes later, after one of our party became insistent that they were returned, they turned up.

Today we visited SETI I and were left waiting outside while the guardian had to leg it with our passes to find his manager. The security guy did tell us to go inside though and our passes were returned before we left.

Next was King Tutankhamen, we had a problem here and had to ring Ahmed Khalifa, Supreme Council of Antiquties who had processed our passes. After he had spoken with them there were very very apologetic.

We had no problem in KV9.

Tomorrow is Nefertari so we will keep you posted.

P.s. There is restoration in King Tutankhamen's being carried out at the mind. Please feel free to ask more ask more questions 👍🏼
v

Karen also says " I think when the Luxor pass takes off it will really be a success. We will buying another in Feb."

New discovery at Thutmose III's temple in Luxor - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online

New discovery at Thutmose III's temple in Luxor - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online

The tomb of the servant of King Thutmose III’s house is discovered in Luxor; mummy cartonnage in excellent state of preservation

Mission field director Egyptologist Myriam Seco Álvarez said that
preliminary study has determined the name and title of the occupant of
the tomb, who was the servant of the king’s house, Amenrenef. The tomb
can thus be dated to the “Third Intermediate Period” (1070-712 BC).

TT41 - the tomb of Amenemopet - Ipy

A new tomb of Osirisnet.

  

TT41 - the tomb of Amenemopet - Ipy

Theban Tomb No. 41 is located between el-Khokha and Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, near the home of Davies (see kampp-01). It is of great theological importance, for it includes, besides the usual prayers and addresses to the gods, many texts of hymns, almost all of which have been published by Assmann.

The pictorial representations are however difficult to see, even after modern restoration and cleaning. The uninviting appearance of the monument says that it was abandoned for a long time..............

Jane the Egyptologist – podcast for kids

Jane the Egyptologist – podcast for kids

I was asked to give a talk to a cyber school in America which was great
fun. I did a backup podcast in case the internet/electricity failed and I
thought I would share it. The talk is based on the questions the
kids(11-12 year olds) sent me in advance and I picked a few pictures to
go with it, you can follow the pictures in the talk as I talk about a
new slide. Click on the link for the audio and pictures

TT110 Djheuty tomb visit

I spotted someone on Facebook who has been to visit the tomb. It IS on the Khokha ticket, he said it was small with an exquisite ceiling and worth the visit

Seti I visit

Thanks to Robert for feedback on his visit yesterday.

You have to buy a ticket for the valley(100) as well as Seti I(1000). They were able to spend an hour and half inside. Well worth the price and no hassle getting the ticket although it was at a separate window. Roberts ticket was number 33 which suggests that there are 10 people a day visiting

Seti I, Nefertari and Luxor Pass UPDATE

• 1)      The tombs and the Luxor pass are available tomorrow 1^st November
• 2)      The ticket for Nefertari will be available at the Valley of Queens ticket office
• 3)      The ticket for Seti I tomb will be available at the Valley of Kings ticket office
• 4)      They are both 1000LE
• 5)      The Luxor pass valid for 5 days is available at the east bank tuftish(antiquities office) which is behind Luxor Museum. You should ask for Ahmed Khalifa
• 6)      $100 USD pass ($50 USD for students) is WITHOUT Nefertari and Seti I
• 7)      $200 USD pass ($100 USD for students) is WITH Nefertari and Seti I

Update with answers to the questions you asked

The office on the east bank is open 9-4:30 every day including Friday (I did ask specifically)
You need a photo and a copy of the details page of your passport to get the Luxor Pass
There is a limit of 150 people a day to Nefertari and Seti I tombs

There is also another annual Luxor Pass (thanks Annette) details here http://www.egyptologyforum.org/MOA/MoA_Newsletter_3_English.pdf

The MoA is launching a new annual pass for all open archaeological sites and museums. For the first time,

Egyptians, Arab and foreign residents in Egypt are able to purchase an annual pass, which can be obtained

from the Department of Foreign Cultural Relations at the MoA in Zamalek.

Categories and prices are: EGP 100 for pupils of Egyptian governmental, private and international schools in

Egypt; EGP 150 for Egyptian, Arab and foreign university students residing in Egypt; EGP 400 for Egyptians

and Arabs residing in Egypt; $440 for foreigners employed by

embassies and international organizations in Egypt (including

the tombs of Sety I and Nefertari in Luxor), $340 without these

two tombs; and $490 for foreign residents in Egypt (including the

tombs of Sety I and Nefertari in Luxor); and $390 without these

two tombs.

In addition, the Board of the Supreme Council of Antiquties has

approved free entry for Egyptian and resident Arab seniors (60+) to

all archaeological sites and museums open to the public.

Mostafa Waziri: 34,000 tourists visited Luxor in October-SIS

Mostafa Waziri: 34,000 tourists visited Luxor in October-SIS: Around 34,000 tourists visited Luxor in October, an antiquities official said.



Nearly 30,000 foreign tourists and more than 4,000 Egyptians visited the Upper Egyptian city in October, said Mostafa Waziri, the Luxor antiquities director general.



After a five-year hiatus, the promotion of tourism in Luxor city has returned as it attracts high-spending tourist segments.

Seti I, Nefertari and Luxor Pass TOMORROW 1st November

I went to the Opening Dinner of the 5^th Global Summit on City Tourism tonight. It is always a bit of a nightmare when you go on your own who you will get to sit next too but practically the first people I saw were all my Antiquities Department buddies Mohammed Abel Aziz Head of Upper Egypt Moustafa Wazery Head of Luxor and others from the taftish. The guy I got to sit next to was Ahmed Khatifa who is Head of PR so I quizzed him about tickets.

• 1)      The tombs and the Luxor pass are available tomorrow 1^st November
• 2)      The ticket for Nefertari will be available at the Valley of Queens ticket office
• 3)      The ticket for Seti I tomb will be available at the Valley of Kings ticket office
• 4)      They are both 1000LE
• 5)      The Luxor pass valid for 5 days is available at the east bank tuftish(antiquities office) which is behind Luxor Museum. You should ask for Ahmed Khalifa
• 6)      $100 USD pass ($50 USD for students) is WITHOUT Nefertari and Seti I
• 7)      $200 USD pass ($100 USD for students) is WITH Nefertari and Seti I

Update with answers to the questions you asked

The office on the east bank is open 9-4:30 every day including Friday (I did ask specifically)
You need a photo and a copy of the details page of your passport to get the Luxor Pass
There is a limit of 150 people a day to Nefertari and Seti I tombs

Booking train tickets online

Just got some feedback from June about booking train tickets

It is easy to book rail travel online now. Their website easy to use and take Visa. Can only book up to two weeks in advance though. Won't let you do it before.  So couldn't book return! Will have to do that separately. Need passport and passport number to log in and create an account first. Print out ticket.

Solutions for Disabled Access in Luxor

Please share and pass on to any archaeological digs, persons of influence, Egyptian government and politicians

Disabled Access in Luxor

I have mobility issues and have been visiting the sites using a mobility scooter to test out disabled access. I have to say it is very poor but compensated by the willingness of the guardians to assist. They are quite frankly wonderful.

The main problems are 

1.  Lack of smooth paths. There are lots of areas with large stones or dusty/sandy loose soil. 
2. Ramps are far too steep, they are actually dangerous for wheelchair users

I have detailed all my visits http://luxor-news.blogspot.com.eg/search/label/Disabled

I know that money is tight and a perfect solution is probably not affordable but I have a suggestion that not only works but is also aesthetically acceptable on these ancient sites and practical.

Mud brick

In fact it has been used with great effect in the Seti I temple to pave parts of the central axis. Mud brick is traditional, cheap, easily obtainable and the locals have the skill to make it. It looks right in the temples and can be easily removed without damage. Pathways could be made of this material together with ramps that would make all sites accessible.

Also please make ramps 1:12 like this

Thank you from all disabled people who would like to visit Egypt

Hidden Luxor - East Bank the disabled report

Egypt may have poor disabled facilities but it makes up for it by having the most helpful people in the world.  Guardians, supervisors, police and even a couple of men sitting having coffee leapt up and helped me get where I wanted to go. If I wanted to get there by God they were going to make sure I did. Nothing was too much trouble and it made me love Egypt even more.


I got a taxi round from my house to Karnak. As it is 18 km by the bridge it would have taken too long and used up the battery. I was not going to risk the ferry lol. At the car park only coaches and minibuses are allowed in and my driver was worried I might have a problem on the scooter, he need not. It was almost like a royal progress. Gates were opened and everything was made easy. The visitors center is up on the pavement but I managed to find a place with a slope and there were ramps to go inside and ramps to the model. The ticket office was outside and to get onto the plaza I had to go through a shop to get to the ramp but absolutely no hassle. On the plaza there was a step up however there was a ramp but it was obstructed by debris from  some repair works and tricky to get through. I complained to a worker and he promised to clear it up by the time I got back and all credit to him it was cleared when I got back.

The entrance to the temple has a narrow security gateway but the police encouraged me to go round it where they sit and searched me there. On the quay there was a small steep ramp and then a more gentle ramp. The ground was very bumpy with uneven paving.  Amazingly enough I met a man who organised trips for wheelchair users and he was stunned when I said I was writing a guide book and adding helpful tips for disabled tourists. We exchanged business cards!

The first court and most of the central Amun temple is paved so perfectly ok for wheelchairs although very bumpy. I was able to get as fair as the holy of holies .

 

 I could not get to the festival hall of Thuthmosis III, didn’t attempt the Ptah temple as that is a sand trap. It was pretty sad to see the deserted café and remember the past.

I went out to the Knonsu temple and the path through the block yard was great but before the path around the Khonsu temple was reached it stopped.  About five yards of stony ground which is almost impossible. Although there is a path around the temple it was blocked by scaffolding and the inspector there said it would be up for a couple of years. I complained about that too and he did say he would tell the moudir. I hope he does.

I have a simple really cheap solution extend the path with mud brick. That makes a smooth surface, it is very cheap, does not harm to any temple surface and it is aesthetically pleasing. Also please make ramps 1:12 like this diagram.

I tried to go to the new area of the temple of the hearing ear. With massive help from guardians (see photo) I got inside but although I had been promised it was disabled friendly there was a step, ramps were too step and the pathway to it was impassable.

 

Still I did get to see it with considerable guardian help.

The open air museum was a total success paved everywhere except the area leading to the Tuthmosis IV colonnade. I got some great photos, although the lack of signs was very frustrating.

So the Amun temple was 75% OK, Khonsu was a wash out and the open air museum a joy. Now it was time to try the Mut temple.

I went back to the visitors center and asked for directions how to get there as I had only ever gone by car before. I also asked if someone could come with me and I was sent this nice young man called Mahmoud. He was really wonderful. He took me a slightly long way as the quicker way had a step. When we got to the ramp leading down to the part of the sphinx alley that goes east/west  against the main alley going north/south. We looked at ways and means, the alternative through the village on sandy soil versus the steepness of the ramp and the condition of the pavement which was terrible. I remember Mansour Boraik telling me the pavement of sphinx alley had been broken by flooding. I hadn’t noticed walking but you sure notice on wheels.

Again a complimentary sidewalk of mud brick would solve the problem. About a third of the way along I wanted to give up but sent Mahmoud ahead to see the condition of the temple and was it worth it. He came back with the guardian who said it was paved and alright. So I went off the pavement and tried the ground by the side. With the guardian pushing we got there. The central aisle is paved and good condition so it was worth it and it had changed a lot since I was last there. Really well laid out, sadly at the end there was a large step and the surface pretty bad but I was satisfied. I would judge the site about 35% ok for disabled.

I had wanted to go back alongside sphinx alley but Mahmoud warned me the road was very broken due to the new gas pipe being laid and obviously the alley itself was not an option with the broken pavement. So I went along the road. I did think about going along the corniche but the road had a padlocked gate so that wasn’t an option. So I used the road, it was OK but I was glad I had the hi vis jacket and knew my way.

When I got to Luxor temple I took one look at the entrance way with its steps and massively steep ramp and knew that was impossible. So I went to the exit, there were a group of police men there, immediately saw the problem and they got some help. The exit gateway was opened up, I was searched one the ramp (the entrance has x-ray) and the ticket office guy came out and took my money over the wall. I was so impressed how helpful they were.

Luxor temple was great until I got past the peristyle hall, there was a huge set of steps and a steep ramp. I guess I could have got help but by this time I was pretty tired so exited.

 

I then went touristy and got a MacDonalds and went for a hair cut. When I got to the shop I used my horn to try and get attention from the shop to help me get the scooter on to the pavement and into the shop. Almost immediately two men having shisha and coffee next door jump up and helped me carrying the scooter up the kerb to the pavement and into the shop.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate it Also all this time, all this help, nobody wanted money. I did give Mahmoud a tip, he was with me over an hour. He did not want to take it and I had to press him but in the end I said it was for his mother. I knew that would work.

For all the posts about my site visits with the mobility scooter click on the disabled tag

Zahi on the new scan of Tutankhamun This Morning - Timeline

(9) This Morning - Timeline



Many thanks to Tony Hickman for sharing this. Zahi is talking about a new scan of KV62 by the Russians in Nov

Tony also did a transcript

Zahi Hawass has just announced on ITV This morning that there will be another scan by a Russian team in the tomb of Tutankhamun KV62 in this November here is a transcript of the interview............. I want to tell you one important thing, as the Director now of the field work in the Valley of the Kings who are using new techniques that takes photographs that can show what’s under the ground, because we are missing the tomb of Thutmose's II, the tomb of Ramesses VIII, most of the queens of dynasty XVIII were buried in the Valley of the Kings. And the coming November we hope that we can locate one tomb and make a big discovery like the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun .
Zahi Hawass was then asked about the idea of hidden rooms in KV62
We are, we are going to use also inside the tomb of Tutankhamun a NEW radar, it’s a Russian radar, and that Russian radar will make the final word if the tomb of Nefertiti existed inside the tomb of Tutankhamun or not. Because the previous radar that talks about something behind the wall when we did look at it, it did not show anything and therefor soon, in November we are going to use this Radar to find out if evidence of Nefertiti behind the North wall of the tomb or not .
Zahi Hawass was asked if he felt that Nefertiti was in KV 62
I REALLY DO NOT THINK that Nefertiti is buried at all in the tomb of Tutankhamun , for many reasons the first the Priests of Amun would never let someone who worshipped the “Aten” to be buried in the Valley of the Kings.
Zahi Hawass finally stated he felt that there is nothing inside the tomb of Tutankhamun , This theory is not correct .

Hidden Luxor - Disabled temples: Merenptah=No, Rammasseum=No, Seti I YES!!!!!

That is all the temples done now.

Started at Merenptah, which had dusty, sandy debiris on steep ramps and even with the guardians help I couldnt get up

Ramasseum had VERY steep mini ramps going down to a non compacted sandy, dusty courtyard. We could have got down the rmaps, with a lot of help but once at the bottom the scooter would have been stuck. Also the access from first courtyard to second courtyard is impossible for a scooter.

Bt this time I was feeling very demoralised but decided to try Seti temple. There were a couple of steep ramps going in but only little ones and there is one small step in the middle of the central aisle but that is it. Everything else I could negotiate all by myself

I came back along the bottom road to get a look at Hatshepsut, it is there honest, across the fields