Tomb of Akhethetep

The Tomb of Akhethetep is a Fifth Dynasty mastaba in Saqqara featuring a chapel decorated with relief carvings. The preserved sections are now housed in the Louvre, where the carved walls showcase ancient Egyptian craftsmanship and artistic techniques.

The mastaba was constructed during the Fifth Dynasty and reflects burial practices of that era. An excavation in 1903 resulted in the transfer of the decorated chapel sections to Paris, where they have been preserved ever since.

The interior walls display carved scenes showing hunting, fishing, livestock herding, and boating activities. These images reveal how people spent their time and what mattered in ancient Egyptian daily life.

The remains are displayed in the Sully Wing of the Louvre, where you can examine the carvings up close. Take your time looking at the details of the reliefs to appreciate the skill of the ancient artisans.

The western wall features a carved false door that ancient Egyptians viewed as a passage between the living world and the afterlife. This artistic element reveals how religious beliefs shaped the design of tombs.