El-Assasif, Ancient necropolis in Luxor Governorate, Egypt.
El-Assasif is an archaeological site with multiple burial chambers located in a dry valley on Luxor's West Bank, positioned between the riverbank and Deir el-Bahari. The site contains hidden underground rooms filled with painted wooden coffins and remains of people from different social classes.
The site was used across several periods of pharaonic history and contains tombs from four ancient Egyptian dynasties spanning from the mid-16th to the early 5th century BC. Recent excavations beginning in 2019 have uncovered the full scope of these long-hidden burial traditions.
The coffins found here display painted surfaces, hieroglyphs, and references to the Book of the Dead that show how ancient Egyptians imagined the afterlife. These carvings and paintings give visitors a direct look at religious beliefs that existed thousands of years ago.
Visiting the site requires entering narrow underground passages, so comfortable shoes and a flashlight are recommended. It is best to visit early in the morning when it is cooler and fewer people are present.
The site holds the tomb of Padiamenope, a particularly impressive monument that extends approximately 30 meters below ground level. The walls of this burial chamber are inscribed with passages copied from sacred Egyptian texts.
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