Ramose
Ramose was a vizier during the eighteenth dynasty and served during the transition of power and reigns of Amenhotep III and Amenhotep IV. He also had a title to his name, Governor of the Town. Ramose's wife's name was Meryet-path, and it's believed that the couple was childless, as no children were seen in any of the pictures in his tomb. Ramose's father is buried nearby, and his mother's name is Apuya.
The Tomb of Ramose
The private tomb of Ramose, TT55, is located in the Sheikh Abd el Qurna area on the west bank of Luxor. After excavation, many scenes remained intact. The tomb illustrates a unique aspect of burial, a change in style, depicting Amarna art. It's still uncertain whether TT55 was the final resting place of Ramose, but no other tomb bearing his name has been located.
The tomb is incomplete, as it's anticipated that Ramose started work on another tomb at Amarna after the capital moved. The tomb is significant due to its new artwork, and because it was abandoned, historians can see carving and tomb decoration were carried on during thaoutera.
Ramose's Tomb Design
Tomb TT55 has a traditional T-shaped design. The entrance has a spilled stairway and a central ramp leading into a courtyard. This is followed by a short stairway leading to a sizeable hypostyle hall having 32 columns. From the hall, further inside, is a corridor followed by a chapel.
Decorations Inside The Tomb
The large hall is the only room in the tomb with decorations. Toward the left of the entrance is a portrait of Ramose's guests at his funeral banquet, including his mother, father, brother, and sister-in-law. This scene is considered one of the best pieces of ancient art globally. It skillfully details even the minute things like the necklace beads and the garments' soft folds.
The only painted scene in the tomb is of servants carrying the deceased's burial riches. This scene, again, is a masterpiece of 18th-dynasty artwork. Further inside, most scenes were unfinished, and some were only in their sketched stage.
Most scenes on the walls are unfinished with just some details but in an uncarved stage. Further inside the tomb is a corridor that does not have any decorations. This leads to the chapel having three niches.
More About the Tomb
Ramose's tomb is a well-done private tomb. The many scenes on the walls are in relief, and the tomb is significant for its category. Villiers Stewart first made this tomb known to the world in 1879. Robert Mond restored the tomb to its present condition in 1924.
