Observations on the Architecture of the Tomb of Horhotep in Western Thebes

Abstract

The article describes the architecture of the tomb of Horhotep, an official at the court of Senwosret I, which is situated at the necropolis of North Asasif in Western Thebes. The structure was built in the row of sepulchral complexes, which belonged to high-ranking officials from the times of the reign of Mentuhotep II. The tomb belongs to the rock tomb type. The layout and shape of the chambers and passages corresponds with the local Theban tradition of the construction of private sepulchral complexes. The exceptional character of the complex can be seen in the layout of the parts carved in the bedrock. As a result of the research into the architecture of the tomb, two phases of its development have been distinguished. The first was associated with the carving of the classic tomb for Horhotep. In the second phase, another cult chapel and the second burial chamber were added, where, as one can only speculate, the son of the official was supposed to be buried.