SATURDAY, AUGUST 7: TUNA EL GEBEL

You’ll time travel today, to Pharaonic and the Ptolemaic and Roman periods (between 300 BC and 300 AD) at Tuna El Gebel: the tomb of Petosiris (slide show). This sand-dune wrapped expanse is the largest Greco-Roman necropolis in Egypt. Only a portion of the necropolis has been excavated. You’ll also visit the highly atmospheric Pharaonic Late Period Ibis Mummy Catacomb (slide show) housing birds and baboons, sacred to Thoth (common depiction illustrated at right). It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of animals were buried here, many in clay jars.

Onward to the nearby Graeco-Roman era tomb of Petosiris, high priest of Thoth circa 300 BC. This tomb is notable for its blending of Egytian and Greek styles. Very well preserved reliefs depict both funerary rites and occupational activity in the area. The detail of the paintings and their coloring will linger in memory.