Deir el-Medina

Deir el-Medina is an ancient workers and craftsmen settlement in Luxor with remains of houses, administrative buildings, and tombs arranged in a rectangular layout. Buildings stand within protective walls, and excavations reveal the urban planning typical of the era.

The settlement existed from 1550 to 1080 BCE and housed the craftspeople who built the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Over this span, residents adapted to changing economic conditions and modified their community.

The residents left writings on limestone and pottery about their daily routines, families, and work. These texts offer a rare window into the personal lives of ordinary people in ancient times.

The site sits near the Valley of the Kings and has marked pathways for visitors to follow. Allow plenty of time to walk through, especially if interested in archaeological details.

Medical texts reveal that residents treated illness with a mix of plant remedies, spells, and practical treatments. This knowledge was remarkable for a community living far from major cities.