Doesn’t the name Inherkhau sound like it belongs to someone important? Right here we stand before TT359, the tomb of Inherkhau. He was no pharaoh but a very important man. Inherkhau served as Foreman of the Lord of the Two Lands. This was in the Place of Truth during the reigns of Ramesses III and Ramesses IV. We’re talking about the 20th Dynasty.
Inherkhau wasn’t just a foreman. He also owned another tomb, TT299. His father, Huy, held the same title. Inherkhau’s wife was named Wab. This tomb, TT359, is located in Deir el-Medina. It is part of the Theban Necropolis on Luxor’s west bank.
Step inside the outer chamber of TT359. You will see offering scenes. These depict Inherkhau, his wife, and their son Kenna. Look closely. You will see scenes from the Book of Gates and the Book of the Dead. Two rows depict kings, queens, and princes.
Now, let’s move to the inner chamber. Here, you’ll find more scenes. These include Inherkhau and his son Harmin. There’s a scene at a doorway. It depicts Ahmose-Nefertari and Amenhotep I. This piece is now in the Berlin Museum. Other items from the tomb include a lucarne-stela. It is now at the Oriental Institute in Chicago. There was also a coffin. It likely belonged to Inherkhau’s wife.
What makes this tomb so special? The artwork. The upper and burial chambers are painted yellow. The upper chamber shows scenes from the Book of Gates. Texts from the Book of the Dead are also visible. One image shows Inherkhau and his wife facing kings and queens. The ceiling has unusual spirals and rosettes.
The deep burial chamber holds the most striking images. There are seventeen images in fourteen scenes. They are arranged in three registers on each side. The right side shows mythological creatures. The left side depicts scenes from the afterlife.
Two brothers decorated this tomb. They were Nebnder and Hormin. Their father, Hori, was a chief draftsman. Both brothers signed some of the scenes they painted. You can see scenes of daily life here. Inherkhau and his wife worship gods in one scene. Another shows them playing senet, a board game. The ceiling features spiral designs and bulls’ heads. Inherkhau is also shown worshiping the benu-bird. Another scene depicts the cat of Heliopolis slaying the snake Apophis.
Imagine the funeral. Inherkhau dressed as a priest. He had a shaved head and wore leopard skin. A blind man played the harp for Inherkhau and his wife.
Interestingly, TT359 lacked funerary items. There were no banquet scenes or lamentations. It’s believed collectors visited the tomb in the 19th century. They may have removed some of the scenes.
TT359 is a family burial site. Inherkhau was buried here with his family. The entrance jambs are now destroyed. They once showed family members.
Remember Inherkhau, the foreman of the Lord of the Two Lands. His tomb offers a glimpse into the life and beliefs of an important man. A man whose legacy lives on through the art and stories within these walls. This is a tomb worth remembering.