El-Asasif Valley - Tomb of Pabasa

An interesting example of a tomb of the Saite period is the Tomb of Pabasa (No. 279), Steward of Princess north itocris, Psammetichus I's daughter (c. 610 B.C.). The superstructure is much ruined.

The entrance, on the north side, leads down by way of a brick walled ramp and a steep flight of steps to an antechamber, with reliefs and inscriptions (on the left hand and rear walls the dead man at table, with his son and a priest in front of him; below, the mummy's journey to Abydos). Beyond this is an offering court, at the foot of a 46ft/14m deep shaft, the lower part of which is hewn from the rock, the upper part lined with brick. On the east and west sides of the court are narrow colonnades with four pillars. On the architraves are detailed Pabasa's styles and tities. On the walls are sunk reliefs of offering scenes and the dead man at table. On some of the pillars, in addition to representations of the usual offerings, are fishing and bee keeping scenes; the charming decorative patterns on the ceiling are well preserved. On the south wall, to the right of the door into the next chamber, Nitocris, accompanied by Pabasa, makes sacrifice to Osiris, Isis and Horus; to the left, Psammetichus, followed by Nitocris (with sistrum) and Pabasa, offers milk to Re-Harakhty. The reliefs and inscriptions in the main chamber, which has eight pillars, are badly damaged. Adjoining are other chambers with tomb shafts.