This volume presents a study of the tomb of Kha-em-hat TT 57 at Qurna, West Luxor, which dates back to the 18th Dynasty⁠ – the reign of King Amenhotep III. It is considered one of the most important Egyptian tomb discoveries, containing rare scenes and revealing development of the religious rituals of the time. The tomb is still in very good condition and today is open to visitors.
The tomb faced fire and other damages during early exploration. The tomb today does not have any color remaining but the reliefs depict a wonderful display of art in motion and a full-of-life picture.
TT 57 is one of the many tombs clustered at the west end of the Abd el Qurna necropolis. The tomb was most likely constructed during the reign of Amenhotep III. Khaemhat is the only private tomb, amongst the four tombs from this era, which was decorated with reliefs. The tomb depicts a complicated variation of the usual T-shaped private tombs. The entrance is similar and the room it leads to is filled with rare agricultural scenes.
TT 57 is popular for its exceptional relief quality and for the historical significance of the many texts and scenes which describe iKng Sed’s festival. Many agricultural scenes decorating the tomb are associated with the main function of Khaemhat, which included agricultural produce control and its safe storage and distribution. The market scene is also an unusual representation of the tombs of the New Kingdom. Even though similarities in representations can be noted, the peculiarities in Khaemhat's tomb are many and what makes this unique. TT57 can help Egyptologists in learning more about commerce in the ancient Egyptian era.
Khaemhat was the superintendent of the Granaries during an era when Egypt’s art was at its peak. This is why the tomb has such impressive reliefs.