LUXOR, Sheshonq Tomb - Prof. Alessandro Roccati

Roma "La Sapienza" University - Dir. Prof. Alessandro Roccati

The Italian Archaeological Mission in Egypt of Rome University "La Sapienza" has established its quarters in Luxor I Gurna in 1970, an ideal place for researching and training several generations of students is Egyptology. Its main object, chosen to that purpose, was an imposing funerary palace of the Saitic period (TT 27, owner: Sheshonk), which proved at once to have been spolied, piundered, destroyed and burnt. The challenge of sucb circumstances can explain the long period of activities; but a comparison of the achieved results in front of the condition the monument was found after its clearance shows how much the studies helped recover a virtualiy iost masterpiece. This tomb looks flOW outstanding not only for its artistic quality, resting on a styie different from any other, but the choice of its decorative programe points to a rather original and wide cuiturai perspective of the legacy of Pharaonic Egypt. During its stay the Mission turned its attention to several side activities aiso, like the cleaning and repairing of paintings in the Middie Kingdom tombs of Meni (TT 240), helping in the restorations in the tomb of Mentemhat (TT 34), and giving support to other archaeological enterprises in the area, for instance the works of the Egyptian Museum of Turin at Gebelein.