Hidden within the rocky cliffs of Dra' Abu el-Naga on the West Bank of Luxor lies the modest, unfinished tomb of Ahmose, a name that echoes with the birth of an empire. This isn't the grand pyramid of a golden-age pharaoh, but the poignant resting place of the founding king of Egypt's New Kingdom, the warrior who finally expelled the Hyksos invaders. The walls, rough-hewn and largely unadorned, speak more of a nation in transition than one at its peak. Its true treasure was discovered not in gold, but in a simple, hidden cache: the king's own ceremonial battle axe and a beautifully decorated cedar coffin, quiet testaments to the man who launched Egypt into its most glorious era from a tomb of startling humility.
Who Built Tomb of Ahmose?
Who Built the Tomb of Ahmose?
The Tomb of Ahmose was built for Pharaoh Ahmose I, the founder of the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. It was constructed by the state's artisans and laborers under the direction of the royal administration. Ahmose I is celebrated for expelling the Hyksos invaders and reunifying Egypt, initiating a period of imperial power and artistic renaissance.
Why Was It Built?
Like most royal tombs, it was built to serve as the eternal resting place for the pharaoh, ensuring his safe passage to the afterlife. The tomb's construction was a fundamental religious and political act, designed to protect the king's body and possessions for eternity and to legitimize his dynasty's rule through monumental architecture.
The Cultural Context: New Kingdom Royal Burials
The early 18th Dynasty, under Ahmose I, marked a transition in royal burial practices. While his exact tomb structure (likely a pyramid at Abydos) shows links to older traditions, his successors would soon establish the hidden, rock-cut tombs in the Valley of the Kings. This shift was driven by a desire for greater security against tomb robbers and a theological focus on the underworld.
Other Related Constructions from the Provided List
The culture of New Kingdom Egypt, which Ahmose I founded, is directly responsible for many of the most famous tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Highly relevant constructions from your list include:
- Tomb of Hatshepsut (Queen-Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty)
- Tomb of Thutmose III (Grandson of Ahmose I, 18th Dynasty)
- Tomb of Seti I (19th Dynasty)
- Tomb of Ramses II (19th Dynasty)
- Tomb of Tutankhamun (18th Dynasty)
- Valley of the Kings KV5 (Tombs of the sons of Ramses II)
- Tomb of Queen Nefertari (Wife of Ramses II)
Furthermore, the pyramid tradition he referenced finds its iconic expression in earlier monuments like the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Step Pyramid of Djoser.
