Magical Leftovers from a Demolished House of the Theban Necropolis

Human settlement at the necropolis 1The area of the Theban necropolis on the West bank of the Nile opposite Luxor was occupied by a peculiar settlement for hundreds of years.The beginnings of the vernacular settlement are obscure, but it seems certain that the tombs of the necropolis served as refuges for people from ancient times.Permanent settlements in the area evolved before the rise of Islam, when Coptic communities established colonies in the foothills, but these were later dispersed and deserted. 2In the course of time, the necropolis became populated again, and according to the first reports regarding its inhabitants, it was occupied by a somehow fierce, unruly people. 3 On the other hand, apparently also the villagers of the nearby hamlet called Qurna extended their living spaces to the tombs of the necropolis at certain periods.According to descriptions from the beginning of the nineteenth century, Qurna was a poor, rudimental village built in the immediate vicinity of the temple of Pharaoh Seti I in the plain at the foot of the Theban mountains.Its folk frequently took refuge in the tombs of the necropolis from vicissitudes caused either by natural or political factors, like the inundation of the Nile or the invasion of troops, respectively.For the beginning of the nineteenth century, human settlement in the necropolis had become permanent, and the tombs were used as dwelling spaces.Later mud constructions were added, serving mostly as storage spaces with other domestic functions as well.The inhabitants of the necropolis were aware of the valuable ancient finds in the tombs, which they exploited in fact as a source of income, and they were much associated with the activity of treasure-hunting.