The Material Side of Heritage Construction: A Biographical Approach to the History of an Ancient Egyptian Tomb (TT93 Qen-Amun)

This article adopts a biographical and archaeological perspective to examine the heritage construction of Theban Tomb 93 (TT93, Qen-Amun) in Luxor. By synthesising stratigraphic analysis of material traces on walls and ceilings with historical documentation, the research reconstructs site transformations over 3,500 years, emphasising heritage-making processes during the last two centuries. The findings reveal physical evidence of Western exploration, collecting practices, and local community engagement, documenting modifications such as wall fragment extractions, post-Pharaonic occupations, and conservation efforts. This methodology exposes the eclipsed history of heritage, demonstrating that such processes leave significant physical “scars” that are fundamental to a monument's biography. Ultimately, the study bridges anthropological heritage theory and archaeological practice, redefining sites as dynamic spaces shaped by continuous material and social transformations.