Touna el-Gebel
Tuna el Gebel · Hermopolis Necropolis · Ibiotapheion
Late Period to Roman (600 BCE–300 CE)·Egyptian / Greco-Roman·🇪🇬 Minya Governorate, Tuna el-Gebel, Haramla desert edge, Egypt
About
About Touna el-Gebel
Vast necropolis of Hermopolis Magna (Khmun) at Tuna el-Gebel: Galleries of Ibiotapheion (ibis and baboon, 1 million mummies), Petosiris tomb (Ptolemaic fusion art) and Isadora tomb. Catacombs 3 km of tunnels with strainer jars. Greco-Roman pilgrim chapels.
Why it mattersLargest animal catacomb in Egypt documenting Greek-Egyptian fusion art.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mummification workshop for 1 million ibis logistics
- 02Petosiris's hybrid archaism vs Hellenism
Theories
- 01Ibiotapheion as pilgrimage economy (Kessler)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Necropolis 600 BCE; Ibiotapheion peak Ptolemaic 300–30 BCE
- Period
- Late Period to Roman (600 BCE–300 CE)
- Culture
- Egyptian / Greco-Roman
- Purpose
- Animal necropolis for Thoth ibis/baboon and elite cemetery
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
600 BCE
First gallery cut (Late Period)
300 BCE
Petosiris tomb built (Ptolemaic fusion)
100 CE
Isadora tomb painted
3rd c. CE
Pilgrim chapels active
On the ground
Structures & features
27.7383° N · 30.7044° E · 60 m · 2 mapped features
Ibiotapheion Galleries
catacomb3 km tunnels with 1 million ibis/baboon mummies in jars
27.7390° N · 30.7050° ETomb of Petosiris
rock cut tombPtolemaic tomb 15×10 m with fusion Egyptian-Greek reliefs
27.7370° N · 30.7030° E