Tomb of Penniut

Penniut was an important official during the reign of the 20th Dynasty king Rameses VI (c. 1143–1136 BC). Although his tomb stands today here, in New Amada, it was originally located 25 km west, in Aniba. Because of its beautiful decoration and great historical value, it was rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser in 1964. As the Deputy of Wawat (the ancient Egyptian name for Lower Nubia), Penniut played a key role in Nubia. He was also Overseer of the Temple of Horus of Aniba, where his wife Takha was a singer.

His beautiful tomb reflects his important status, which is highlighted further by the east wall (on the right), where the king was depicted—a very high honour. This scene, which is unfortunately      poorly preserved, shows Penniut being rewarded by Rameses VI (figure destroyed) for, as the accompanying text reveals, Penniut having commissioned a statue of him. In another interesting inscription, the temple of Rameses II at al-Derr is mentioned.

In the rest of the tomb decoration, Penniut can be seen adoring various deities, and there are many scenes from the Book of the Dead, their goal being to ensure that Penniut and Takha lead a blissful existence in the afterlife. A niche in the centre of the north wall contains three rock-cut figures, the central one being a female cow-headed deity.