Theban tombs tended to have clay funerary cones placed over the entrance of the tomb chapels. During the New Kingdom they were inscribed with the title and name of the tomb owner, sometimes with short prayers. Of the 400 recorded sets of cones, only about 80 come from cataloged tombs.

At Thebes, these rock-cut tombs contain wall-paintings that rank among the finest products of ancient Egyptian art. Most are painted chapels at ground level, where family and participants in the cult of the dead would gather, mainly at festivals. A smaller number are painted underground chambers for the burial. The great majority date to the New Kingdom. Many of these have suffered extensive damage since the 1820s, when they first began to be brought to light.

The following list is drawn from Manniche 1987, and follows the numerical sequence of the modern administration of this archaeological area.

circa 1220 BCE

TT1: Tomb of Sennedjem
The Tomb of Sennedjem, designated TT1 (Theban Tomb 1), was discovered still intact in 1886 by the French Gaston Maspero. It contained nine sarcophagi and eleven mummies, as well as a pile of funerary furniture. The owner was an architect who lived in the XIX dynasty, during the reign of Ramesses II.

The family of Sennedjem, his wife Iyneferti and his thirteen sons, is known because it is mentioned in the tomb. The tomb superstructure reflects the typical plan of the Deir el-Medina tombs: a courtyard at the bottom of which there was a pyramid-shaped chapel on whose cusp stood a pyramidion and on whose eastern façade rose a stele-dormer window. The underground section included the tomb consisting of a room with a vault ceiling excavated in the rock covered by a brick layer, covered in turn by a mixture of white and silt. In the entrance to the underground part, the texts and pictures reproduce chapters XVII and LXXII of the Book of the Dead.

circa 1220 BCE

TT2: Tomb of Khabekhnet
The Tomb of Khabekhnet, designated TT2 (Theban Tomb 2) is located in the village necropolis of Deir el-Medina. The tomb belongs to Khabekhnet, a son of Sennedjem and Iyneferti, and was married to Sahti and probably Isis. The scenes in TT2 show many of the relatives of both Khabekhnet and Sahte.

circa 1285 BCE

TT3: Tomb of Pashedu
The Tomb of Pashedu, designated TT3 (Theban Tomb 3), located in the village of Deir el-Medina, is one of the few tombs with open access. The tomb layout is simple but beautifully decorated, indicating the high status of Pashedu in society. He also owned tomb TT 326, again showing how wealthy he was. The tomb has an antechamber and a short corridor which ended in a burial chamber. The vaulted ceiling has eight deities on the right and eight on the left. Between these images are forty columns of text from Book of the Dead of chapter 181. There are a number of errors in terms of spelling, grammar and text present.

circa 1260 BCE

TT13: Tomb of Shuroy
The Tomb of Shuroy, deignated TT13 (Theban Tomb 13) is located in Dra' Abu el-Naga', part of the Theban Necropolis, on the west bank of the Nile, opposite to Luxor. It belongs to an ancient Egyptian individual, whose title was the "Head of Brazier-bearers of Amun". He most likely lived during the Ramesside period in the 19th Dynasty BCE. The scenes inside the tomb are hurriedly drawn and some have only red outlines without any details. The color on the walls is soft, almost pastel-colored. The use of blue has been highlighted a lot in the decorations. The tomb clearly shows an unfinished design and most of the plasterwork has been damaged.

circa 1265 BCE

TT31: Tomb of Khonsu
The Tomb of Khonsu, designated TT31 (Theban Tomb 31), is located in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, part of the Theban Necropolis. It is the burial place of the ancient Egyptian official, Khonsu, who was First Prophet of Menkheperre (Thutmose III), during the 19th Dynasty or 20th Dynasty. Its geographical orientation is southwest by northwest (the entrance being at the south). It corresponds to the most classic design chosen for this type of edifice. Tomb decorations depict Khonsu being served by Usermontu, who is a God's father, Lector of Ptah and a Deputy in the King's Temple on the West of Thebes. The inscriptions further identify his son the stablemaster Usermontu, his wife (name unknown) the Chantress of Amun named May, his son the Second Prophet of Menkheperre named Khaemwaset, and a daughter named Iuy.

circa 650 BCE

TT34: Tomb of Mentuemhat
The Theban Tomb 34, TT34 belongs to Mentuemhat, a powerful mayor of Thebes who ruled during a time of great upheaval. Walking through its grand, sprawling chambers, you can almost feel the weight of history—a sense of quiet triumph built not for a king, but for a canny and resilient public servant. The colors of the reliefs feel impossibly fresh, a vibrant glimpse into a distant world where every detail was meant to last for eternity. Yet, within the vastness of this second-largest tomb in the El-Assasif necropolis, there’s a human story of family and legacy, of a father and son who navigated the treacherous politics of their day to create a monument fit for royalty. It’s a testament to the fact that even without a crown, power and ambition could leave an enduring mark on the landscape of ancient Egypt.

circa 1470 BCE

TT38: Tomb of Djeserkaraseneb
The Tomb of Djeserkaraseneb, designated TT38 (Theban Tomb 38), is located in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, part of the Theban Necropolis, on the west bank of the Nile. It belonged to an ancient Egyptian official Djeserkaraseneb (who was Scribe and Counter of the Grain in the Granary of Amun during the reign of Thutmose IV) and his family. The location well reflects the middle social status of Djeserkareseneb, because the dignitaries of this period were buried higher up the hill, to the north-east, in sight of Deir el-Bahari.

circa 1330 BCE

TT40: Tomb of Amenhotep called Huy
The Tomb of Amenhotep called Huy, designated TT40 (Theban Tomb 40), is located in Qurnet Murai, part of the Theban Necropolis, on the west bank of the Nile. It belonged to an ancient Egyptian Viceroy of Kush named Amenhotep called Huy, who lived during the end of the 18th Dynasty during the reign of Tutankhamun. The inscriptions in the tomb show Huy being greeted by Khay, High Priest of Nebkehperure (Tutankhamen), Penne, Deputy of the fortress of Nebkheperure (Tutankhamen), Huy, the Mayor, and Mermose, (his brother) the second prophet of Nebkheperure. The tomb of Huy is one of the major sources for understanding the functions of a Viceroy; the scenes showing presentation of the tribute to the sovereign are exceptional examples of such work and created the reputation of this monument.

circa 1292 BCE

TT41: Tomb of Amenemopet
The Tomb of Amenemopet, designated TT41 (Theban Tomb 41), is located in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, part of the Theban Necropolis, on the west bank of the Nile. The tomb belonged to an ancient Egyptian official Amenemopet called Ipy, whose title was the "Chief Steward of Amun in the Southern City". The tomb dates to the time of Ramesses I, Sethi I and Ramesses II from the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt. The decorations inside the tomb are of great theological importance, for it includes, besides the usual prayers and addresses to the gods, many texts of hymns, almost all of which have been published by Assmann.

circa 1330 BCE

TT49: Tomb of Neferhotep
The architectural structure of the hypogeum-tomb TT49 was arranged on a longitudinal axis oriented fromeast to west, evoking the regeneration of the deceased and the sun's daily journey.

From the courtyard, the sequence of rooms - outer passage, vestibule, inner passage and cult chapel culminate in a niche with three statue groups sculpted in the rock. The five underground sectors that served as burial chambers were undecorated. A staircase excavated on the south side of the chapel is the entrance to the main one.

The artistic quality of its sculptures, reliefs and wall paintings attest to the high heritage calue of TT49, whose decorative program reflects the changes in funeral practices occured during and after the Amarna Priod. The representation of the Great Temple of Amun and its domains in the tomb's chapel as well as the royal palace in its vestibule are outstanding scenes, showcasing the high social status of the tomb's owner.

The wall paintings in the tomb of Neferhotep were once colourful and of high artistic quality. In the early 19th century CE, however, they were severely damaged by the burning of the mummies deposited there over the course of centuries, Following an extensive and careful investigation, a team of German conservators developed a non-destructive method of cleaning the fragile wall paintings. With the help of laser technology, the delicate surfaces were successfully cleaned without any physical contact, once again making the murals and the hieroglyphs visible today.

In addition, further extensive conservation measures were carried out on the wall paintings, reliefs and sculptures. The main conservation activities were treatments to stabilise loose stone fragments, cracks, detached plaster and paint layers. To make their paint, the ancient Egyptian mural painters used pigments, along with gum Arabic as a binding medium. In tomb TT 49 the pigments used were coal black, huntite white, red and yellow ochre, Egyptian blue and green, and jarosite. Some polychrome parts of the paintings are finished with a mastic varnish - a natural resin from the acacia tree.

Between the years 2000-2023 the university of Buenos Aires (Argentina) recorded and studied the monument's epigraphic and archaeological aspects, while a German team carried out the conversation and cleaning of the wall paintings using laser technology. The project was accomplised thanks to a grant provided by the Gerda Henkel Foundation and was under the supervision of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

circa 1400 BCE

TT52: Tomb of Nakht
Hidden among the Tombs of the Nobles near Luxor is the compact, beautifully painted tomb of Nakht, a scribe and priest who lived over 3,300 years ago during Egypt's 18th Dynasty. What makes this place so special is not its size—it’s quite small—but its vibrant, detailed art. Stepping inside is like opening a storybook of ancient Egyptian daily life. You'll see Nakht and his wife, Tawy, enjoying a lavish banquet, surrounded by musicians playing harps and lutes, with a blind harpist serenading the feast. Other walls burst with the energy of agrarian life: workers plowing fields, harvesting grapes to be stomped into wine, and trapping birds in the marshes. The paintings have a wonderful, natural quality, showing the easy companionship between Nakht and his wife, and even a small kitten enjoying a fish under a chair. Though Nakht’s burial chamber was never finished, the artistry of the public rooms offers a remarkably intimate and lively glimpse into a world long gone, capturing the everyday moments and simple pleasures of a long-past life.

The tomb chapel, was excavated in a gently sloping hillside of Sheikh abd-el Qurna. It is one of thesmallest but most brightly coloured tomb-chapels consisting of a decorated chamber and the inner chamber with a little niche in the back wallcontaining the kneeling statue of Nakht. Provision for burial was made by roms at the bottom of an oblong shaft which occupies most of the floor space of the inner chamber. Clearing the shaft in 1915 CE the statue of Nakht, remains of the funeral furniture, pottery and wooden coffins were found.

A statue of Nakht was found during excavation of the shaft leading to burial chamber. It was shipped to the United States during World War I in the SS Arabic which was torpedoed in the Atlantic. The statue in the tomb is a reconstruction from photographs which were made at the time of discovery. The reconstruction was made by the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation with the purpose of complementing the architecture of the tomb. Nakht is holding a stele with a hymn to Ra engraved upon it. This translates as follows:

An adoration of Rg, (from) the time that he rises until he sets alive, on the part of the serving-priest (of Amon), the scribe Nakht, maakheru — Hail to thee who art Ré when thou risest and Atum when thou settest in beauty! Thou comest forth and art brigt (psd) on the back (psd) of thy mother. Thou comest forth as King (of the gods). Nut meets thee with welcome, Maat embraces (thee) on both occasions. Thou traversest heaven and thy heart in glad; for the region of Deswi is reduced to peace, the reptile enemy is felled, his hands are bound and knives have severed his vertebrae.

circa 1360 BCE

TT55: Tomb of Vizier Ramose
Theban Tomb 55, or simply TT55, the tomb of Vizier Ramose stands as one of the most pivotal monuments for understanding the intersection of art, politics, and theology in the late Eighteenth Dynasty. Its decoration captures a moment of profound transition in Egyptian visual culture, bridging the refined orthodoxy of Amenhotep III’s court and the radical experimentation that marked the early Amarna phase.

circa 1360 BCE

TT56: Tomb of Userhat the Royal Scribe
The tomb TT56 (Theban Tomb 56) is a strikingly well-preserved window into the life of a high-ranking official and his wife during the 18th Dynasty. Located in the Valley of the Nobles on the west bank of the Nile, it belongs to Userhat, a "Royal Scribe" and "Child of the Royal Nursery," which meant he was raised in the royal court alongside the pharaoh Amenhotep II. This prestigious background is reflected in the tomb's remarkably vibrant paintings that depict not only scenes of religious rituals but also moments from Userhat's daily life, like inspecting cattle and enjoying a lavish banquet with his wife, Mutnefret.

Visitors can still marvel at the artistic detail, such as an endearing scene of a monkey nibbling a fruit under a chair. The tomb also features unique images that have made it famous among Egyptologists, including a soldier getting a haircut from a barber and an exciting chariot hunt. Though it was defaced centuries later by Christian monks and thieves, the tomb still stands as a testament to Userhat's status and the artistic excellence of his time.

circa 1370 BCE

TT69: Tomb of Vizier Ramose
The Theban tomb TT69, belonging to the wealthy official Menna, offers a vivid snapshot of life and death in the 18th Dynasty, almost as if the bustling scenes of ancient Egypt were painted just yesterday. As a scribe and overseer of the pharaoh's fields, Menna was an important man, and his tomb reflects that status with its exquisitely preserved and colourful murals. You can see his life unfold across the walls, with lively paintings depicting the agricultural work he oversaw, alongside serene banquets and tender scenes with his family. However, the human drama doesn't stop there. An air of ancient intrigue hangs over the chapel, as Menna's face was deliberately and systematically chiseled out of every image after his death. Whether this was the work of a vengeful enemy, a disgruntled tax-payer, or an act of political retribution, the empty spaces where his eyes once were serve as a stark and fascinating reminder of personal rivalries that survived even into the afterlife.

circa 1490 BCE

TT83: Tomb of Amethu
The Tomb of Amenthu, designated TT83 (Theban Tomb 83) is located in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, part of the Theban Necropolis, on the west bank of the Nile. This tomb belonged to an ancient Egyptian official, Amethu called Ahmose, who was the Governor of the town and Vizier. Amethu called Ahmose dates to the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, from the time of Tuthmosis III. The tomb consists of a portico and an inner room. The ceiling of the portico show remains of the titles of the deceased. The inner room contains scenes depicting rites before the mummy and provide the name and titles of Useramen.

Unknown

TT96: Tomb of Sennefer and Meryt
The tomb, designated TT96 (Theban Tomb 96), belongs to an ancient Egyptian nobal Sennefer and his wife Meryt. The richly decorated tomb, also known as the "Tomb of the Vineyards", is located in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna and forms part of the Theban Necropolis. The decorations inside the tomb show scenes of Meryt offering myrrh, food offerings and lotus flowers to Sennefer, scenes with Sennefer seated in the shade of trees with a table of refreshments, and Sennefer surrounded by priests while he stands on a hill of sand, part of the opening of the mouth ceremony.

circa 1400 BCE

TT100: Tomb of Rekhmire
The tomb designated as TT100, the mortuary chapel of the ancient Egyptian vizier Rekhmire, is a dazzling snapshot of New Kingdom society. Located in the Theban Necropolis at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, the T-shaped structure was crafted to celebrate the life and vast administrative duties of this high-ranking official. Though Rekhmire himself was never interred there—falling from favor and suffering a damnatio memoriae that defaced his likeness in the chapel—the tomb's stunningly preserved paintings offer invaluable details on daily life and official protocol. Its walls depict Rekhmire overseeing bustling workshops where artisans create ornate jewelry and statues, collecting tax in the form of gold, grain, and cattle, and receiving exotic tribute from Nubia, Syria, and Crete. These vibrant murals, which include detailed instructions on the "Duties of the Vizier," transform the space from a simple funerary monument into a vivid administrative manual, cementing TT100's place as one of the most historically significant tombs in the region.

circa 20th Dynasty

TT278: Tomb of Amenemheb
The Theban Tomb TT278 was discovered in 1917 CE by Lecomte du Nouÿ, at the same time as was that of Ameneminet's tomb (TT277), its neighbour, with which it shares a courtyard.

circa 970 BCE

TT320: Royal Cache
The Tomb of Royal Cache, designated DB320 (formarly known as the Theban Tomb 320), is an Ancient Egyptian tomb located next to Deir el-Bahri, in the Theban Necropolis, opposite the modern city of Luxor. It contains the last resting place of High Priest of Amun Pinedjem II, his wife Nesikhons, and other close family members, in addition to an extraordinary collection of mummified remains and funeral equipment of more than 50 kings, queens, and other New Kingdom members of the royalty, as it was later used as a cache for royal mummies during the Twenty-first Dynasty.