Tomb of Ay (No 25)

Northern Nile Valley

This tomb, in the southern group, is the finest at Tell Al Amarna, with the images reflecting the importance of Ay and Tiyi. Scenes include the couple worshipping the sun and Ay receiving rewards from the royal family, including red-leather riding gloves. Ay wasn’t buried here, but in the west valley beside the Valley of the Kings at Thebes.

Ay’s titles were simply ‘God’s Father’ and ‘Fan-Bearer on the King’s Right Hand’, and he was vizier to three pharaohs before becoming one himself (he succeeded Tutankhamun and reigned from 1327 to 1323 BC). His wife Tiyi was Nefertiti’s wet nurse.

Suggest an edit to this attraction

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Beni Hasan

21.67 MILES

The necropolis of Beni Hasan occupies a range of east-bank limestone cliffs some 20km south of Minya. Most of the superb tombs date from the 11th and 12th…
Tuna Al Gebel

15.89 MILES

Tuna Al Gebel was the necropolis of Hermopolis; about 5km past the village of Tuna Al Gebel you'll find the catacombs and tombs of the residents and…
Tomb of Amenemhat (No 2)

21.85 MILES

Amenemhat was a 12th-dynasty governor of Oryx. His tomb is the largest and possibly the best at Beni Hasan and, like that of Khnumhotep, its impressive…
Deir Al Muharraq

14.05 MILES

Deir Al Muharraq, an hour’s drive northwest of Asyut, is a place of pilgrimage, refuge and vows, where the strength of Coptic traditions can be…
Tell Al Amarna

0.43 MILES

You will see the ruins of Akhetaten – temples and private or administrative buildings – scattered across the plain of Tell Al Amarna, but the main sights…
Speos Artemidos

19.82 MILES

If the guardian allows, you can follow a cliffside track that leads southeast for about 2.5km and then some 500m into a wadi to the rock-cut temple called…
Tomb of Panehsy (No 6)

3.38 MILES

The tomb of Panehsy, chief servant of the Aten in Akhetaten, retains the decorated facade most others have lost. Inside, scenes of the royal family,…
Tomb of Baqet (No 15)

21.75 MILES

Baqet was an 11th-dynasty governor of the Oryx nome (district). His rectangular tomb chapel has seven tomb shafts and some well-preserved wall paintings…

View more attractions

Nearby Northern Nile Valley attractions

1. Tomb of Mahu (No 9)

0.04 MILES

This is one of the best preserved southern tombs. The paintings show interesting details of Mahu’s duties as Akhenaten’s chief of police, including taking…

2. Tell Al Amarna

0.43 MILES

You will see the ruins of Akhetaten – temples and private or administrative buildings – scattered across the plain of Tell Al Amarna, but the main sights…

3. Central City

2.97 MILES

The centre of Akhetaten contained the temple complex, the Great Palace and the King's House. The temple complex contained two main buildings, a sanctuary…

4. Tomb of Panehsy (No 6)

3.38 MILES

The tomb of Panehsy, chief servant of the Aten in Akhetaten, retains the decorated facade most others have lost. Inside, scenes of the royal family,…

5. Tomb of Penthu (No 5)

3.38 MILES

Penthu, the royal physician and 'First under the King', was buried in a simple tomb. The left-hand wall of the corridor is decorated with images of the…

6. Tomb of Meryre II (No 2)

3.39 MILES

Meryre II was scribe, steward and 'Overseer of the Royal Harem of Nefertiti'. To the left of the entrance, you will find a scene that shows Nefertiti…

7. Tomb of Meryre I (No 4)

3.39 MILES

High priest of the Aten, Meryre is shown, on the left wall of the columned chamber, being carried by his friends to receive rewards from the royal couple…

8. Tomb of Ahmose (No 3)

3.39 MILES

Ahmose, whose title was ‘True Scribe of the King, Fan-Bearer on the King’s Right Hand’, was buried in the northern cemetery. Much of his tomb decoration…

View more attractions