Touring the Tombs

Thousands of years ago, Egyptians buried their wealthiest in elaborate tombs. Kings and other royals were buried in a region called the Valley of the Kings. Many noblemen were buried in a city’s necropolis, or cemetery.

Last year, archaeologists found a mummy inside one of the tombs of Dra Abul Naga, a necropolis for the ancient city of Thebes. The tomb in which the mummy was found is called Kampp 150, after Egyptologist Friederike Kampp-Seyfried. She surveyed and numbered the region’s tombs in the 1990s when she was a graduate student. 

Thousands of years ago, Egyptians built elaborate tombs to bury the wealthy. Kings and other royalty were buried in a region called the Valley of the Kings. Noblemen were often buried closer to home. Each city had its own necropolis, or cemetery.

Last year, archaeologists found a mummy near the ancient city of Thebes. It was buried in a necropolis called Dra Abul Naga. The mummy was inside a tomb called Kampp 150. It was named for Friederike Kampp-Seyfried, who studies ancient Egypt. In the 1990s, she surveyed and numbered the tombs in the region. She was a graduate student at the time. 

Back then, Kampp-Seyfried also estimated the tombs’ ages based on architectural details at the entrances, like the style and size of bricks used. But she couldn’t get inside the tombs to determine the exact age of the tomb—or even find a mummy. That’s because the tombs had debris blocking their entrances.“The architecture on the outside gives you hints,” says Kampp-Seyfried. But you won’t know the tomb’s age for sure until you get inside.

After finally examining the inside of Kampp 150—nearly 30 years after Kampp-Seyfried’s first survey—the results supported her prediction of its age! “Another piece of the puzzle was put into place,” says Kampp-Seyfried. “For me, that is happiness.”

Back then, Kampp-Seyfried also estimated the tombs' ages. She looked at the entrances of the tombs for clues. Details like the style and size of bricks helped her guess when a tomb was built. But she couldn't get inside the tombs to determine their exact ages-or look for mummies. That's because debris was blocking the entrances of the tombs. "The architecture on the outside gives you hints," says Kampp-Seyfried. But you won't know the tomb's age for sure until you get inside.

Nearly 30 years later, Kampp-Seyfried has finally examined the inside of Kampp 150. The results supported her prediction of its age! "Another piece of the puzzle was put into place," says Kampp-Seyfried. "For me, that is happiness."

Archaeologist Howard Carter discovered boy king Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922—after six years of searching! It was one of the most well-preserved tombs ever found. Inside was food, wine, and even fresh underwear for him to wear in the afterlife!

In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of boy king Tutankhamen. He'd been searching for six years! It was one of the most well-preserved tombs ever found. Inside was food, wine, and even fresh underwear for Tutankhamen to wear in the afterlife!

It took 15 years to build the elaborate temple and tomb for one of Egypt’s few ruling queens. Most portraits of Hatshepsut were destroyed upon her death. But those that survived show her as a male pharaoh, with a royal headdress and even a false beard.

It took 15 years to build the elaborate temple and tomb for one of Egypt's few ruling queens. Most portraits of Hatshepsut were destroyed upon her death. But those that survived show her as a male pharaoh. She wears a royal headdress and even a false beard.

In 1906, an archaeologist uncovered three tombs that contained the mummified remains of various animals, including ducks, dogs, and a baboon. Researchers suspect these mummies are as old as a ruler named Amenhotep II—whose tomb lies nearby—and they might be his pets.

In 1906, an archaeologist uncovered three tombs that contained the mummified remains of various animals. There were ducks, dogs, and even a baboon. Researchers suspect these mummies are as old as a ruler named Amenhotep II. His tomb lies nearby, and the animals might have been his pets.

Inside the tomb that Kampp-Seyfried surveyed in the 1990s, archaeologists found wooden statues and a mummy. Seals in the tomb indicate the mummy may be a writer named Maati or his wife.

Inside the tomb that Kampp-Seyfried surveyed in the 1990s, archaeologists found wooden statues and a mummy. Seals in the tomb indicate the mummy may be a writer named Maati or his wife.