TT 192, which is the private tomb of Kheruef, is located on the west bank of the river Nile on the foothills of Egypt's Asasif district. This is the largest tomb in the area. A nearby path also leads to the funerary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari. It's a colossal funerary complex belonging to Khereuf, also known as Naa. Khereuf was once steward of Queen Tiy, the Great Royal Wife of Amenhotep III. The tomb was never finished for unknown reasons and the site was abandoned. The tomb is almost devoid of any color and is actually quite unappealing. Tourists to this tomb are very rare, although this is among those rare sites that are still open to the public. Khereuf was an important individual responsible for organizing the first and third jubilees of Amenhotep III. He worked as a royal scribe and was the first herald to the king before getting appointed as a steward. The tomb is an important religious and historical place.
The Discovery
The Tomb of Khereuf was discovered by German Egyptologist Adolph Erman in 1885. In the 1940s the tomb is believed to have been robbed.
The Structure
A descending corridor leads to the entrance to the tomb TT 192. This then becomes an open court that has porticos and pillars on both its east and west sides. The most important scenes inside the tomb are present on the western wall of the court. The pictures depict many scenes of Amenhotep III and his court in various themes and poses.
Originally, the tomb was dug into the bedrock, below the desert’s surface. The presence of a courtyard before the portico is a rare innovation, seen only during the 18th dynasty in the Tombs of Khaemhat, Ramose, and Imhotep.
Tomb Plan
Tomb TT 192 of Khereuf, is made up of five parts:
- A slope leading to the first decorated doorway on the west side.
- The large open courtyard was surrounded on all four sides by a canopy supported by 39 columns.
- The first hall, lying on the north-south axis, is filled with three pillars in rows of ten.
- Another pillared hall represents the funerary chapel.
- An underground chamber is located at the southwest comer of the second hall.
Scenes Inside the Tomb
The scenes that were finished in the tomb depict celebrations that were organized in honor of Amenhotep III's jubilees and it’s believed that Khereuf would have been a significant part of these celebrations. Other scenes include dancing girls and various sporting activities.
A Lesser-known Truth
Tomb TT 192 is said to be the tomb of Khereuf, however, some archaeologists believe the construction was not finished and he might not have been buried here at all. It appears that Khereuf suffered a fall from grace before his death, his name in the tomb was scrubbed away - the reason for this fall from grace still remains a mystery.
