In the Circle of Pharaoh. Art and Archaeology in the Theban Necropolis

peer reviewedThe Theban necropolis, opposite the modern city of Luxor, has been Egypt’s most important burial place during the New Kingdom (ca. 1550-1050 BC). Since 1999, the Université libre de Bruxelles undertakes a long-term, interdisciplinary study of a large area in the southern part of the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna hill, densely occupied during the mid-18th dynasty. Initially focusing on two monuments dating to the reign of Amenhotep II, the tombs of the Prince of the City Sennefer (TT 96) and the vizier Amenemope (TT 29), the project led to the discovery, in 2009, of a « lost tomb » belonging to the deputy of the director of the treasury Amenhotep (TT C3). Beside the reconstruction of the history of these monuments from their construction to the present day, notably revealing an important occupation by Coptic hermits during the 8th cent. AD, the archaeological study also considers their place in the topographical, religious and social landscape of the necropolis. The study of the painted decoration of the chapels is likewise considered in the wider context of Theban painting practices and workshops, leading to the development of an original methodology termed « on site art history ». Among these activities, the conservation of the wall paintings remains a priority of the mission and the team of international specialists conducted extensive research to address the problems caused by their challenging state of preservation. The project is supported by the Belgian Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.-FNRS) and the Ministry of Scientific Research of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. Since 2010, it is conducted as a joint mission of the Université libre de Bruxelles and the Université de Liège.Painters and Painting in the Theban Necropolis during the 18th Dynast