Egypt unveils a 4,000-year-old tomb for public exploration

After restoration and documentation, Egypt has opened the Middle Kingdom tomb of Meru to tourists. Situated on Luxor’s West Bank, it stands as the oldest public site in the area, surrounded by famous Pharaonic monuments, including the Valley of the Kings.

Meru held a prominent position in the court of King Mentuhotep II of the 11th Dynasty, who reigned until 2004 BC. Both Meru and the king were interred at the North Asasif necropolis, as confirmed by a statement from the Ministry of Antiquities on February 9.

The tomb, carved into rock, was meticulously restored by the Polish Centre for Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Warsaw in collaboration with Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

According to Fathi Yassin, the General Director of Antiquities in Upper Egypt, this marks the first site from such an early period in Western Thebes to be opened for public access.

The tomb, facing the avenue leading to Mentuhotep II's temple, features a corridor that leads to an offering chapel with a niche intended for the deceased's statue. A burial shaft leads down to a chamber containing a sarcophagus.

According to Yassin, the tomb’s only decorated room boasts an unusual lime plaster painting decoration.

Meru's tomb has been recognized since at least the mid-19th century, as reported by the Polish Egyptian archaeological mission. In 1996, Italian conservators carried out restoration work on some of the wall paintings.

Many of the Middle Kingdom's most influential officials were laid to rest at the North Asasif necropolis, the statement added.

Top: An Egyptian worker is seen at the 4,000-year-old tomb of Meru. Photo courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities/Handout via Reuters.