Thebes - El-Asasif Valley
To the east of Deir el-Bahri is the El-Asasif Valley, in which is a large Necropolis, mostly dating from the Saite period (25th and 26th Dynasties). Notable among the remains of brick built tombs is the large gateway of a mortuary chapel belonging to a Theban prince named Mentemhet. The tombs consist of a superstructure enclosed within brick walls, with an entrance pylon on the east side, and the subterranean burial chambers, entered by a doorway on the north side.
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Other Tombs
Among other tombs are the Tomb of Mentemhet (No. 34), a Theban Prince of the time of Taharqa (25th Dynasty), and the Tomb of Peteamenopet (No. 38), a high official of the 26th Dynasty. The latter tomb (288yd/263m long, with an area of 2,710 sq. yd/2,266 sq. m) exceeds in size even the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The inscriptions and reliefs, almost all relating to the life beyond the tomb, are finely executed but badly damaged and blackened.
Tomb of Ebe
Of interest is the Tomb of Ebe (No. 36), an official in the service of Nitocris, which has reliefs imitating Old Kingdom models. A flight of steps leads down to an antechamber, in which the dead man is depicted sitting at the offering table receiving votive gifts. In a room on the right are fine reliefs of craftsmen at work and dancers. Beyond the antechamber is what was originally an open court with colonnades along the sides (mural reliefs of offerings and a fine hunting scene). Adjoining is a colonnade leading to other chambers.
