Aswan was not a city in ancient times, people during this period settled around the island of Elephantine, where the rulers and kings of Nubia lived. For this reason, the necropolis of the kings and royal family of Nubia was located nearby, near the island, in what is now known as the tombs of the nobility in Aswan.
The tombs, located in the area of the West Bank of the Nile, are perfectly preserved and provide an opportunity to learn about the history of Egypt during the Ancient and Middle Kingdoms. They were discovered by British archaeologist Lord Greenville in 1885 and became the first explorer of this important historical site.
The tombs of the nobility in Aswan are called Gubad El Hawa in some reference books, it is one of the most visited monuments in Upper Egypt. The frescoes inside are amazingly picturesque, depicting the daily life of the ancient Egyptians and are a magnificent example of ancient art. The most important and beautiful are the tombs of Harkhuf, Sarenput II, Sabni and Mekkho. The entrance to the tomb of Mekho is by diagonally carved steps - such a technique facilitated the movement of the body of the deceased with the help of wooden and stone skates.
Mekho was a prince of the 6th dynasty of the Old Kingdom, son of King Pepi II, who died on one of the royal journeys. Inside the tomb on the right wall is a fresco depicting the prince and his wife in traditional dress during an offering to the gods, as well as several other domestic scenes. It was the custom of Ancient Egypt to decorate the first chamber of the tomb with scenes from the daily life of the deceased. Further to the right can be seen the false doors, and a few more frescoes.
The burial chamber of the Mekho tomb is supported by 18 columns with many scenes and inscriptions, which are divided into three rows. One wall depicts a scene of Anubis and Osiris praying for Mekho against a background of agricultural-themed frescoes.
The tomb of Sabni, son of Mekho, is an extension of his father's tomb. The tomb is entered by a splendid corridor divided into two sections, opening into a hall with 14 square columns and fishing scenes on all walls. An important feature of Sabni's tomb are the scenes telling the story of the prince's journey to fetch his dead father's body, one of the historical accounts of the peculiarities of the Egyptians' mentality during this period and their perception of life, death and immortality.
The temple and tomb of Sarenput II is perhaps the best of the tombs of the nobility in Aswan. Sarenput II was the son of a Nubian king and crown prince, high priest of the temple of the gods Khnum and San, and commander-in-chief of Egypt's army during the reign of Amenmehat II (12th Dynasty). The tomb begins with an inner courtyard supported by six columns, on the right side there is a granite slab with the name of the owner of the tomb. Then follows a corridor with wall paintings dedicated to the life of the nobleman and his son. In another hall with four columns, hieroglyphic writings indicate the titles of Sarenput II.
Ruler of Elephantine Island and the surrounding area, Harkhuf, who lived during the VI Dynasty between 2345 and 2181 BC, was one of the first people buried in the tombs of the nobles at Aswan. His tomb also has a traditional courtyard at the entrance, its façade decorated with frescoes-life descriptions of the high noble ruler, the next room is a rectangular-shaped hall with a corridor leading to the sarcophagus.
