Today, we time-traveled to the Middle Kingdom!

39 tombs from the 11th and 12th dynasty are located in the east limestone cliffs (traditionally burial takes place in the west).

These tombs were built for the nomarchs (provincial governors), fully decorated in frescos with events from military, political and everyday life of 3934 years ago during the reign of Senusret I of the 12th dynasty.

Some of our group were trained in martial arts and noticed the extreme similarities to the illustrations and the various take-down techniques of modern hand-to-hand fighting craft.

Most of the tombs have a similar layout, with a carved entrance, and then a large (usually pillared) room containing the painted decoration and burial shafts.

It seems that the same artists did many of the tombs since the style of the layout and painting were so consistent from tomb to tomb.