In Beni Hasan, we visit the marvelous and famous pharaonic tombs of the 11th and 12th Dynasties (2050-1786 B.C.). Magnificently, pharaonic paintings in theses tombs are still colorful despite the long course of time.

Many of these tombs were inhabited by Christian anchorites from the fourth through the sixth century. This is evident from the Christian graffiti. Tomb 23, that of Nouternekht, contains a Coptic alphabet. It has been suggested that this tomb may have been served as a school.

Photo: Norbert Schiller, one of the pharaonic tombs at Beni Hasan.

Photo: Norbert Schiller, an early inscription (later chipped away) of a cross inside the tomb of Nouternekht at Beni Hasan.

Photo: Norbert Schiller, early Christian inscriptions dating to between the fourth and sixth centuries.

Photo: Norbert Schiller, the Nile Valley near the necropolis of Beni Hasan.