Beni Hassan Tombs

The site of Beni Hasan is situated about 20 kilometers to the South of the city Al Minya, the tombs of Beni Hassan are carved into some ‎limestone hills on the East Bank of the Nile.‎

It was built in the middle kingdom between 2055 until 1650 BC, almost in the 12th dynasty, however there is one tomb that dates back to the 7th dynasty.

 

This necropolis was established to bury the rulers and the elites of this province (El-Minia), and built on the ruins of a ‎much older burial site that was used during the period of the Old Kingdom.

 

The burial chamber of Beni Hassan dates back to the Middle Kingdom in the period ‎of from the year 2055 until 1650 BC. This necropolis belonged to the military ‎leaders and local rulers who chose to be buried in their provinces because of their ‎growing power and independence, in this period, rather than being buried near their kings in ‎Saqqara.‎

 

The tombs of Beni Hassan are quite distinctive than the other tombs, because of its location, as it was built on the eastern bank and they used to build their tombs in the western bank as a referral for the world of the death.

 

The Necropolis of Beni Hassan hosts 39 tombs, all these tombs are all situated on the same height and the entrances to the tombs are ‎located on the same plateau.

 

Although the necropolis hosts 39 tombs, only 4 are open to public, and another one with no decorations.

 

The Tomb of Baqet ‎:

 

This tomb is the first one to be discovered. Baqet who is the owner of the tomb, ruled the province of Menat – Khufu which is the modern El-Minia during the 11th dynasty.

 

The tomb of Baqet has a simple façade with no decorations or architectural features ‎to be noted while the tomb itself is rectangular in the shape, with paintings that reflect the decorative system of that period like hunting and wrestling.

 

The Tomb of Khety‎:

 

Khety is the son of Baqet who lived during the 11th dynasty, who worked in the same position like his father. The design of his tomb is similar to his father’s tomb.

The Tomb of Khety is featured with its six lotus shaped columns and its rectangular ‎shape, The paintings of the walls located in the Eastern ‎and the Northern sections of the tomb display Khety during his hunting trips in the ‎deserts of the reign. ‎

There are also some scenes of the owner of the tomb, accompanied by his wife, ‎supervising the activities taking place in the province they were ruling. The Eastern wall of the tomb has some scenes of soldiers practicing to participate in ‎battles.

 

The Tomb of Amenmehat ‎:

 

Amenmehat lived during the 12th dynasty, the design of his tomb is more complicated than other and the walls are more decorative ‎and better crafted.

The tomb includes a central courtyard and a portico that leads to the main room of the tomb, with a statue of the owner with his wife and mother in a small chapel in the eastern room.

The paintings on the wall of the tomb look like the other tombs in Beni Hassan.

 

The Tomb of Khnumhotep II :

 

Khnumhotep II was the son of Amenmehat, Khnumhotep’s power as a governer for Menat – Khufu province was less than his ancestors, but he followed the architectural style of his father, as it is consisting of a courtyard and a portico with columns which leads to the main chapel of the tomb.

The tomb is unique, as it includes the owner's autobiographical text has been carved in the base of the walls and it is well preserved, the other feature is having some beautiful portraits for khnumhotep and his family.