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Primary sourceArtifact

TT55 (Tomb of Ramose)

The tomb of the vizier Ramose at Thebes, which contains one of the earliest known depictions of Nefertiti, shown standing behind the king.

This tomb contains one of the earliest known images of Nefertiti, shown standing beside the king before the move to Amarna.

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Photo of a rock-cut tomb facade in a desert hillside. A stone-paved ramp with a low retaining wall leads up to a pale mudbrick and stone entrance with a doorway, above which a cliff ledge and terraced stone walls rise. A small dark cave opening is at left, and a few visitors stand on a higher terrace.
Tomb TT55, Theban Necropolis, Egypt.

About this source

What it is

Tomb TT55 in the Theban Necropolis at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna is the burial place of the ancient Egyptian vizier Ramose. Its walls combine traditional Theban decoration with the new Amarna style, including a scene on the west wall showing Akhenaten (labelled as Amenhotep IV) and Nefertiti seated on a balcony, rewarding Ramose with gold.

Why it matters

Because the king is still labelled by his earlier name Amenhotep IV, this is considered one of the earliest depictions of Nefertiti, made before the royal court moved to Amarna and before the full Amarna art style developed. It shows the transition between traditional and new artistic styles, and Nefertiti's early presence at the king's side.

Look closer

  • What does the king's earlier name tell you about when this scene was carved?
  • How does the style of this scene compare to later Amarna images of the royal couple?
  • Why might Ramose have wanted this specific scene carved in his own tomb?

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Painted limestone bust of an Egyptian queen wearing a tall blue crown with a red and green band and a gold-colored brow band. The eyes are inlaid with dark outlines, and the bust rests on a dark base against a black background.Sculpture

Primary source

Bust of Queen Nefertiti

Thutmose · c. 1345 BC

Black-and-white photograph of a painted bust of a woman with a tall flat-topped crown, side-facing, on a dark rectangular pedestal set on a pale plinth. The collar has striped and patterned bands.Sculpture

Primary source

Figure of Nefertiti

Close-up detail of an Amarna limestone relief. A seated woman wearing a tall flat-topped crown is at right, with a sun disc and rays above. At left, a smaller figure with a child's head is seated near her, and carved hieroglyphs fill the background.Sculpture

Primary source

Akhenaten and His Family

c. 1352 BC

Photo of a curved, blue glazed ceramic fragment with white body edge, covered in raised concentric ring motifs with dots. Two holes pierce the piece near its center, with a scale bar along the bottom.Sculpture

Primary source

Relief Fragment Showing the Blue Crown of Nefertiti

Black-and-white line drawing of columns of Egyptian hieroglyphic text arranged in vertical lines, with cartouches visible, copied from a wall inscription. This is a facsimile of the Great Hymn to the Aten.Document

Primary source

Great Hymn to the Aten

Akhenaten · c. 1350 BC

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