| Location |
Upper Egypt - 270 kilometers south of Cairo
East bank of Nile
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| Nome | Lower sycamore and viper - the 14th nome of Upper Egypt |
| Type of Settlement | Capital City |
| Local deity | Aten - the Sun-Disc |
| Ancient name | Akhetaten - The Horizon of Aten |
| Contemporary name | el-Amarna |
| Historical Development |
New Kingdom - 18th dynastry:
Pharaoh Akhenaten founded a new capital of Egypt. The area of the city was effectively a virgin–site
The city was dedicated to his new religion of worship to the Aten.
The name of the city derived from the two hills between which the sun appeared in the morning
The city, however, remained capital of Egypt only for about fifteen years
After Akhenaten death, during the reign of Pharaoh Tutankhamen, it was abandoned and the royal court moved back to Thebes,
Later Horemheb demolished the city to erase any traces of Akhenaten period.
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| Necropolis | Royal Wadi and tombs- the Royal Family were buried here. It was a replacement for the Valley of Kings
The wadi contained 4 tombs:
1) the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten - Tomb 26 is the only decorated tomb, and contained the burial of Akhenaten. It includes a suite of chambers for his daughters, his mother and probably Nefertiti, although she was never buried there
2) Tomb 27 - intended for a Royal Burial, as the doorway and entrance are of a similar size to that of the Royal Tomb. However, it was never finished and no burial material has ever been found
3) Tomb 28 - This is the only finished tomb in the Wadi. It was used by Kiya a lesser wife of Akhenaten.
4) Tomb 29 - This tomb was plastered, but never decorated. It consists of 4 corridors, and in plan is similar to the suite of rooms in the Royal Tomb
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| Monuments |
The city contained royal palaces, temples for the Aten (the Sun-Disc), and administrative buildings, as well as private houses and workshops.
1) Great Temple of the Aten
2) Great Royal Palace
3) Bureau of Correspondence of the Pharaoh
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Page last updated: 15 Feb 2008
© 2001 - 2008 Aldokkan
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