Sheikh Abd el-Qurna

Sheikh Abd el- Qurna (Arabic شيخ عبد القرنة in short, القرنة, DMG al - Qurna ) is a village in Egypt on the western bank of the Nile across from Luxor and was at the foot of the Theban mountains directly above the ancient Egyptian burial site of Thebes West built.

History of al - Qurna

Al- Qurna has long been recognized as a village of grave robbers. Many of its houses are equipped with hidden entrances to rock-cut tombs of the ancient Egyptian royal period ( Pharaohs ). Some families in the village - the most famous being the family and descendants of the grave robber and antiques dealer Ali Abd ar - Rasul - live for centuries by some legal, some illegal trade in ancient Egyptian artifacts but also on the activity as a leader of tourists and archaeologists. Residents of al - Qurna were also involved in the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun ( KV62 ) by Howard Carter.

Demolition and foundation

In order to prevent illegal illegal excavations, moved to the residents between 2006 and 2008 forced into the new village of al - Qurna al - Jadida ( " New Qurna "), which is located northeast of al - Qurna. By demolishing the old house, the old murals were destroyed on the facades and in the interiors of the houses of al - Qurna, headed by Zahi Hawass in the course of this conducted by the Supreme Council of Antiquities measures.

Gallery

In the interior of a ruined house with the inscription: " God (Allah ) is love."

The abandoned house of Ahmad the " grave robbers Dynasty " family of ash- Shaykh 'Ali' Abd al- Rasul. In December 2006, it was still inhabited.

Remains of an " oven " in a ruined house. The furnace led originally to ancient Egyptian grave system.

Guesthouse on the ruins

House and workshop with alabaster

The photo was taken in December 2006. The " Moon House ", right on the side of the road, no longer exists.

Signpost in a ruined house, "Please smile. You are in Luxor. "