Scene Depictions: The interior walls of later Egyptian tombs, such as those from the New Kingdom period (1550-1070 BCE), are often adorned with detailed scenes that depict various aspects of daily life. These scenes showcase activities like farming, hunting, fishing, crafts, music, and religious ceremonies. By examining these scenes, we can learn about the clothing people wore, the tools they used, the crops they grew, and the daily routines they followed.
Objects and Offerings: The tombs contain a wealth of objects and offerings placed there for the deceased's afterlife. These include furniture, pottery, jewelry, weapons, food, and various other items. By studying these artifacts, we gain insight into the material culture, trade, artistic styles, and economic activities of the time.
Hieratic Texts and Inscriptions: Later Egyptian tombs often feature hieratic texts and inscriptions. Hieratic is a simplified form of hieroglyphic writing that was commonly used for daily writing purposes. These texts can contain biographical information about the deceased, their achievements, family details, and religious beliefs. They provide a glimpse into the social structure, religious practices, and personal narratives of ancient Egyptians.
Tomb Architecture and Design: The architecture and design of later Egyptian tombs themselves can teach us about the social status, wealth, and beliefs of the deceased. The size, complexity, and decorative elements of the tomb offer insights into the social hierarchies and funerary practices of ancient Egyptian society.
Burial Practices: Tombs provide evidence of burial customs and rituals. The positioning of the body, the mummification process, the choice of burial goods, and the presence of funerary texts shed light on the beliefs about the afterlife and the significance of ancestor worship in ancient Egyptian culture.
Economic Activities and Trade: Items found in tombs, such as imported goods and exotic materials, indicate trade networks and economic activities. The presence of certain objects can point to the deceased's profession or social status. Luxury goods, for instance, suggest wealth and connections to the elite.
By combining the information obtained from scene depictions, objects and offerings, texts and inscriptions, architecture, burial practices, and economic indicators, later Egyptian tombs provide a rich source of knowledge about the ways of life, social structures, cultural beliefs, and daily activities of the ancient Egyptians.