Amarna Tomb 3

Ahmose in hieroglyphs
	Steward of Akhenaten, Sealbearer of the King of Lower Egypt, Fanbearer at the right hand of the King, etc

Amarna Tomb 3 is a sepulchre near Amarna, Upper Egypt. It is dedicated to the Ancient Egyptian noble Ahmes (Ahmose). The burial place is located in the northern side of the wadi that splits the cluster of graves known collectively as the Northern tombs.[1]

Tomb of Ahmose in Amarna

Ahmose was a sealbearer of the King of Lower Egypt. He was the sole companion, the attendant of the Lord of the Two Lands, the favorite of the good god, true king's scribe, steward in the house of Akhenaten, overseer of the front hall of the Lord of the Two Lands (=court of justice?), and a fanbearer at the right hand of the king.[2]

The Tomb

Ahmose's tomb is part of the group of larger tombs referred to as the Northern Tombs. The sepulchre is located a short distance from the Tomb of Meryra, a High Priest. The tomb of Ahmose features a hall in the shape of a corridor. The wall opposite the entrance gives access to the inner rooms of the tomb. The Inner rooms are also in the shape of a corridor, which is cut at a right angle to the hall.[1]

Scenes in the Tomb

Ahmose depicted with Fan and Axe

Images of Ahmose

At the entrance there are two scenes depicting Ahmose. The scenes and texts have suffered a lot of damage, but early copies show that Ahmose was depicted on both sides of the entrance on the wall thickness. [1] He is depicted with the ostrich fan that symbolizes his position as fan-bearer to the King. The fan and an axe are tied together, secured to a strap and carried over his shoulder. [1] [3]

Royal Visit to the Temple (West Wall)

Company of soldiers escorting the royal family to the temple

On the west wall of the tomb, the 18th dynasty rulers Akhenaten and Nefertiti are depicted riding a chariot. The royal couple is on their way to visit the temple. They are shown together in the chariot accompanied by one of their daughters. Akhenaten wear a Khepresh crown, while Nefertiti is shown wearing her flat topped blue crown. The royal family is accompanied by the army. [1]

The Royal Family at Home (West Wall)

In another scene on the west wall the royal family is shown having a meal. Akhenaten is shown seated eating what appears to be a roasted duck. Behind him we see Nefertiti seated with one of the princesses on her lap. She is holding a cut of meat. Next to Nefertiti we see two more princesses seated on chairs. This scene may have been included to show Ahmose in his role as the Steward to Akhenaten. [1]

References

Davies, Norman de Garis, The Rock Tombs of El-Amarna, Parts III and IV, 1905 (Reprinted 2004), The Egypt Exploration Society, ISBN 0-85698-160-5. Facsimile in Internet Archive: Part III. The Tombs of Huya and Ahmes, 1905
Murnane, W.J., Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, Atlanta, 1995
Kemp, Barry, The City of Akhenaten and Nefertiti: Amarna and its People, Thames and Hudson, 2012, pg 111

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[Davies-1] Davies, Norman de Garis, The Rock Tombs of El-Amarna, Parts III and IV, 1905 (Reprinted 2004), The Egypt Exploration Society, ISBN 0-85698-160-5. Facsimile in Internet Archive: Part III. The Tombs of Huya and Ahmes, 1905

[2] Murnane, W.J., Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, Atlanta, 1995

[3] Kemp, Barry, The City of Akhenaten and Nefertiti: Amarna and its People, Thames and Hudson, 2012, pg 111