The tomb of Akhenaten is one of the most famous in the country. As we have mentioned in another post on this blog,
Where is the Tomb of Akhenaten
The Royal Tomb of Akhenaten is in the archaeological site of the aforementioned city of Akhetaten, in a place currently known as Tell el-Amarna or Amarna simply, several kilometers in a straight line from the Nile River, in the governorate of Menia, whose capital is about 100 km away. It is 330 km north of Cairo, while Luxor is 430 km to the south.
What is the Necropolis Like
The necropolis of Amarna is excavated in the crest of some cliffs, on the eastern bank of the Nile. In addition to the Tomb of Akhenaten, other tombs can be visited, such as those of the north and south, of such important figures as the scribe Ahmose or the chief of police Mahu, or even that of his vizier and successor Ay.
But without a doubt, the main attraction is the tomb of this controversial pharaoh, who reigned between 1355 and 1338 BC. In addition, it is the only truly finished tomb, composed of six funerary chambers, articulated around a large corridor and staircase, as well as other rooms probably intended for his wives, especially Nefertiti.
Is the Tomb of Akhenaten Worth it?
Finally, there is an important question to answer: is it worth visiting the tomb of Akhenaten? And the question is not easy to answer, as it has different conditions, which you should take into account:
- This necropolis is far from the country’s major tourist destinations
- The tourist infrastructure is not so developed here: there are fewer options for accommodation, restaurants and public transport
Taking both aspects into account, it can be said that:
Yes: It’s Worth it if…
It is worth visiting the Tomb of Akhenaten if you are passionate about Ancient Egypt and, more specifically, about the so-called Amarna Period, that moment of fracture and schism in which the pharaoh Akhenaten turned the society and religion of the country upside down, instituting the worship of the solar disk as the only divinity.
In that case, what is interesting here is not the presence of archaeological elements, but rather their absence: checking how the representations of Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti were torn and vandalized shortly after his death provides valuable information about that transcendental period of the history of Ancient Egypt.
No, It’s not Worth it if…
On the other hand, if you have little time for your trip and are looking for the beauty and impressiveness of the ancient civilization of the pharaohs, the Tomb of Akhenaten should not be included in your basic circuit.
In comparison with other royal tombs, especially those of the Valley of the Kings of Luxor, the tombs of Tell el-Amarna lack majesty, precisely because of the intended abandonment of this necropolis after the restitution of the capital to Thebes (Luxor). There is hardly any decoration left on the walls, either because the plaster has not survived the time in good condition, or because of the aforementioned attacks.
In addition, the surroundings of these tombs are a wasteland of vast dimensions that must be traveled by vehicle, without much landscape interest. Therefore, objectively, it is outside the most beautiful and suggestive destinations in Egypt.
But if you are in that first and small group of Amarna period enthusiasts, you can contact our agency and organize an unforgettable excursion to this mythical place, with transportation included.
