The Upper Egypt Tour
Bani Hasan
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In Bani Hasan, we visit the marvelous and famous, pharaonic tombs of the 11th and 12th Dynasties (2050-1786 B.C.). Many of these tombs were inhabited by Christian anchorites from the fourth through sixth centuries. This is evident from the Christian graffiti - such as several shapes of the cross. Tomb 23, that of Nouternekht, contains a Coptic alphabet. It has been suggested that this tomb served as a school. What is also magnificent in theses tombs is that their pharaonic paintings still have their original and beautiful colors after all these centuries.

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A painting of a cross on the tomb’s wall at Bani Hasan indicating that it has been inhabited by monks or hermits.

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 Pillars in tomb.

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Painting on a tomb’s wall at Bani Hasan of the different pharaonic sports.

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A colorful painting of birds in one of the pharaonic tombs at Bani Hasan.

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A Coptic cross on one of the tombs of Bani Hasan indicating this tomb has been used by early Christians.

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The tomb of Amnomhat at Bani Hasan.
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The mountains of Bani Hasan.

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A pharaonic tomb inside a mountain at Bani Hasan from the Eleventh or Twelfth Dynasty. According to some traditions the Holy Family passed these tombs. The tombs have been inhabited by Christians in the first centuries AD.

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Interior of a pharaonic tomb at Bani Hasan.

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Coptic writings on a pharaonic tomb’s wall.

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A Coptic painting in a pharaonic tomb inside at Bani Hasan. Some Christians believe this picture resembles a man thrown before the lions, an example of Roman persecution in the first centuries.

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A pharaonic painting on the tomb’s wall at Bani Hasan of a man hunting birds in a boat.