Excavations in the North Tomb Group

This group of tombs occupies the northwestern edge of the settlement. The ground plans of up to 20 monumental tombs are known, including the largest and most elaborate, North Tombs 1 and 2. This series of mud-brick mausolea are aligned roughly in a single row which extends towards the northernmost area of the site. Other tombs are traceable nearby to the west and south and probably belong to a second parallel group, but these are only preserved to the lower courses of their walls.

Tomb containing human remains in situ

• North Tomb 1
• NT 1 is the largest of all the tombs in this area. It is a monumental structure in which the central chamber was decorated with pharaonic-style paintings.
• North Tomb 2
• NT 2 is the second monumental tomb of this northern group. Architecturally it is a similar, yet simplified version of North Tomb 1, which is located approximately 25m to the south.
• Tombs 5, 6, 7 and 16
• These mausolea are constructed primarily of mud-brick and create the alignment of tombs which is northeast of North Tomb 2.
• North Stone Tomb
• This tomb comprises a single, stone-built chamber within a mud-brick complex that is situated further north and apart from the other brick mausolea.