Al-Suhaymi House

Menna tomb (TT69) is considered to be one of the most important archaeological tombs in Sheikh Abd al-Qurna, a cemetery in Luxor, it is famous for its wonderful colors, and that it was discovered in 1905.

• Menna was a real estate inspector, crop supervisor, and clerk during the reign of King Thutmose IV, who was like the minister of agriculture at the present time, and he was responsible for collecting taxes money.

• Despite the wonderful views, and the bright colors of this tomb, there is a lot of destruction in it, as this tomb considered one of the most important examples of tombs that embodied hatred, and revenge among humans in ancient Egypt, the cause of the destruction of the scenes of this tomb, an enemy wanted to take revenge on Menna, as he focused in destroying the face of the tomb owner especially his eyes, the reason for that as he wanted to prevent the soul from recognizing the face of the deceased in the another world, and it also deprives him of seeing the offerings.

Tomb of Menna Painting

Harvest scene

• One of the greatest scene in this unique tomb was this one, as two men were represented sitting resting under a tree, each of them seated on a chair, the man on the left has fallen asleep, while the second man sits playing the flute, to relax his temper, there is animal skin bag, which hanging on the tree contains water, to keep it cool in the shade, on the right we find the supervisor of theirs, standing and it is very clear from the baldness, that he is the oldest one of them, he stands on a stick, and the heel of his front leg is not resting on the ground, as there is  handicap in his foot, but it did not prevent him from actively practicing his hard work.

Scene of measuring the ​​land.

• Scene of measuring the ​​land, in order to determine the value of the crop tax, we see the scribes wearing transparent linen shirts, and carrying a scroll of papyrus to write in it, while the assistants didn't wear shirts, that's indicating their inferior social status, We see one of them on the left carrying a scroll of the measuring rope, there is a child carrying a bundle of writing pens, and a spare pallet, in the background there are trees with birds' nests, and eggs.

• A farmer works in the harvest, to collecting flax, notice he got a headache from working under the heat of the sun, In front of him is a colleague looking at him to see what happened to him (it seems that he is one of his relatives because he is the only one who cares).

Working mother

• An amazing scene of a breastfeeding Egyptian mother carrying her baby (note the child's leg and hand embracing his mother), at the same time she was works, and collects the fruits!

Scene of Punishment of Insubordinate Workers

• A scene shows a farm worker pleads with the foreman, by kissing one of his feet, perhaps to exempt him from punishment.

Scene of open-mouth ritual during funeral of Menna

Hunting 

• The scene depicts Menna while he was hunting ducks, and birds that live in papyrus swamp.

• The scene depicts five nests with eggs inside, including one that is about to be devoured by cats and rodents, While Menna appear stands on a papyrus boat, carrying two white birds, which he uses to lure other birds, as he hunts birds in the swamp, with black throwing sticks, on the right is another scene, depicting Menna on another boat, but these time with a spear to fishing.

• His children and wife standing on each boat, while they were represented smaller than him, Note: the Crocodile in the swamp.

• Scene represents Menna son presents a bouquet of flowers to the soul of his deceased father  and mother, as the ancient Egyptian believed that the beauty of the colors of the flowers, and their fragrant smell resurrected the soul of the deceased from the underworld Therefore, the ancient Egyptians used to put bouquets of flowers in the tombs, and take the flowers with them when they visited the dead, a custom that continues to this day.

• The Egyptian government built a glass wall around the scenes of the tomb, to protect the drawings on the walls, after they were damaged by visitors' breathing, and moisture in the air.

Ceiling 

• The ceiling of this tomb is very impressive, and distinguished from the rest of the tombs in ancient Egypt, where the artist created here so much.

• Dates to visit the tomb every day from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m, its entrance fees, for a tourist = 60 Egyptian pounds, or a foreign student = 30 Egyptian pounds, for Egyptians = 10 Egyptian pounds, For an Egyptian student = 5 Egyptian pounds.

Stay Home

• Within the framework of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquity efforts, to provide some archaeological sites, and museums for the people of the world, to enjoy seeing the ancient Egyptian civilization, during their stay in homes, as part of precautionary, and preventive measures against the emerging corona virus (Covid19), they made this website, under the slogan #Experience Egypt from Home, #Stay Home, #Stay Safe.