Qila al-Dabba Tombs– Dakhla Oasis Dear Friends, This was our forth site to visit on our Oasis trip 17th Feb2014. Qila al-Dabba is a large burial area, which was probably the Necropolis of the nearby town of Balat. It is believed to be 6th Dynasty (Old Kingdom) the burials were rich with funeral equipment. Wooden and ceramic coffins were used by the wealthy but further cemeteries containing more modest burials have been found to the south and east of the mastabas. These poorer people were often buried in simple pits and wrapped only in layers of matting or a sack. The necropolis were built with steps from mud bricks and dressed with slabs of limestone. The highest mastaba stands 10 metres high (32 feet) Three of the mastabas have been identified to Old Kingdom Governors of the oasis, which indicates the importance of Dakhla in that time. The tombs had niched façades like others of the Old Kingdom and a funerary Stela at the entrance identified the occupant. Mastaba 1a: Mastaba of Desheru (before the reign of Pepi I) 1b: Mastaba of Ima-Pepi/Ima- Mastaba 2: Mastaba of Ima-Pepi II (reign of Pepi II) Mastaba 3: Mastaba of Khentika (reign of Pepi II) Mastaba 4: Mastaba of Khentikaupepi (6th Dynasty) Mastaba 5: Mastaba of Medunefer (reign of Pepi I) The Mastaba field has many smaller graves from the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period. They are simple oval graves with a descending staircase. Other tombs have been found dug into the rock and covered by mud bricks, they have vaulted roofs. Other governors in the area of Qila el-Dabba include Khentika, from the reign of Pepi II whose painted chambers have been restored, and Ima-Pepi, whose later tomb shows an improvement in building technique. The most recent reconstruction is the burial chamber of an individual called Bitsu. It contains painted scenes depicting the official and his family and a star-painted ceiling, which is suspended above. The first to be identified was the tomb of the governor Medunefer, which contained funerary goods including gold jewelry. Photos: 1 to 6-Tomb of Khentika. 7 to 9 Tomb of Bitsu. 10-To get there.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:59:39 +0000
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