THE MEMPHITE TOMB OF HOREMHEB

The private tomb of the General Horemheb, who was later in his career to ascend to the throne at the very end of Egypt's 18th Dynasty, is a remarkable monument to the south of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. One of the largest tombs of the New Kingdom necropolis adjacent to the ancient administrative capital of Memphis, the tomb of Horemheb is remarkable for it's reliefs depicting actual events during the life of its owner, rather than just the standard canon of funerary scenes. As Horemheb was the supreme commander of Tutankhamun's armies, as well as holding myriad other distinguished titles, it is generally considered he was practically king in all but name during his youthful sovereign's short reign. Upon the death of Tutankamun, the kingship was fleetingly held by the enigmatic Smenkhare, Neferneferuaten (evidence for the succession is vague and hotly debated) and Ay - who had been the tutor of Tutankamun and was possibly of royal descent via his suggested sister's marriage to Amenhotep III (Tutankamun's grandfather). After four years of power, the elderly Ay died and Horemheb took the throne. His reign was a good length, stable and via his choice of successor ushered in the Ramesside period.

Upon his ascendancy, work on his monument at Saqqara was halted, and a royal tomb was prepared for him in the Valley of the Kings - the first such tomb to boast temple quality reliefs. The Memphite monument did not go to waste though; his principal consort, the Great Royal Wife Mutnodjmet was interred there as evidenced by fragments of gold jewels and remnants of other quality goods found in the burial chamber and corridors below the sands.

Below are images of my virtual model of this monument. I have reconstructed the decoration scheme based on the fragmentary remains as documented in the excavation memoir and research into contemporary tombs. To imbue the work with an added realism the lighting has been set up to simulate the sun at that location. I have also aquainted myself with Middle Egyptian so the texts are legible and hope to continue this work as time allows.

	The First Gate Looking east along the central axis from the gate of the First Pylon.
	The Second Pylon The Second Pylon from the south-east corner of the first court.
	The Second Pylon The Second Pylon from the north-east corner of the first court.
	The First Pylon The west face of the First Pylon seen from the south-west corner of the first court.
	The First Pylon at Dawn The west face of the First Pylon seen from the noert-west corner of the first court at dawn.
	The Second Gate The gateof the Second Pylon looking east axialy.
	The Great Court The Great Court from the east side of its peristyle.
	The Great Court Looking to the south-west corner of the Great Court from the middle of the north peristyle.
	The Great Court and Second Pylon Looking south-east toward the west face of the Second Pylon.
	The West Peristyle of the Great Court The west peristyle of the Great Court, looking south.
	The Axis Looking east axialy from the weastern peristyle of the Great Court.