Deir el-Medina

Welcome to Deir el-Medina, arguably the most important archaeological site in the world for understanding the daily lives of ancient Egyptians. Known to its inhabitants as Set-Maat, 'The Place of Truth,' this was a planned…

Standing here among the foundations of the houses, you can get a real sense of the neighborhood. The village was laid out in a rectangular grid, surrounded by a wall. …

The tomb of Sennedjem is widely considered one of the most beautiful and well-preserved private tombs in all of Egypt. Sennedjem was an artist who worked during the reigns of Seti I and Ramesses II in the 19th Dynasty. …

The tomb of Pashedu offers another breathtaking perspective on the artistry of Deir el-Medina. Pashedu was a stonemason who lived during the early Ramesside period. …

Just outside the main village area lies a feature that might look like a simple large hole in the ground, but it is actually one of the most important archaeological 'archives' ever found: the Great Pit. Originally intended to be…

At the northern end of the site stands a remarkably well-preserved temple from the Ptolemaic period, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. While much later than the village itself, it was built on the site of much older New Kingdom…

As we look up at the mountain peak that towers over Deir el-Medina, known as El-Qurn or 'The Horn,' we must speak of its divine guardian: the goddess Meretseger. Her name means 'She Who Loves Silence,' and she was the…

As we conclude our tour of Deir el-Medina, take a moment to look back over the foundations of the village and the slopes filled with tombs. You have walked through a site that has given us the most intimate possible connection to…