Ti Tomb

Ti Tomb

Ti Tomb

Ti’s Tomb—An Introduction

Located in a large necropolis at Saqqara and a short distance to the east of the Step Pyramid is one of Egypt's most celebrated non-royal tombs: the Tomb of Ti. The mastaba dates to the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt (c. 2400 BCE) and is recognized for having some of the best-preserved wall reliefs in all of Egypt, providing a detailed and colorful record of life in the Old Kingdom.


While Ti was not a pharaoh, Ti's tomb is considered one of the most significant tombs in Saqqara because of the artistic sophistication and cultural insight it provides.

 

Who Was Ti?

Ti served as a high official under Pharaohs Neferirkare and Nyuserre in the elite royal administration of the mid-fifth dynasty of Egypt and one of his titles was "Overseer of the Pyramids of Kings", while another was "Priest of the Sun Temples." Ti was not part of the royalty, but he enjoyed the benefits of royal position. His elite status and membership in an elite royal administration gave him a high-level status and an elaborate tomb near the pyramids would have been par the course, including all benefits for a royal burial and afterlife transition.

Beyond ensuring an afterlife journey, his tomb was designed project his accomplishments and insure that he was never forgotten.

Architecture and Layout

The Tomb of Ti is a mastaba, which is a rectangular flat-roofed tomb made of limestone that was common for high ranking officials during the Old Kingdom. The building contains:

  • A courtyard with pillars
  • A long corridor with carved walls
  • Several chapels and offering rooms
  • A serdab (i.e., a hidden statue chamber)
  • A shaft leading to the burial chamber (now emptied)

However, the most outstanding feature is the richly decorated walls, which are the best detailed and preserved from this period.

Old Kingdom Art Masterpieces

The reliefs in Ti's tomb convey a picture of daily life in ancient Egypt, which is remarkable in contrast to the royal tombs that generally restate divine and continuing life in a beyond. These ancient carvings are incredibly direct in replicating action, emotions, and social hierarchies.

The scenes pictured are:

  • Agriculture: plowing, sowing, & harvesting
  • Fishing & fowling in marsh
  • Boat crafting & sailing
  • Craftsman at work: carpenters, sculptors, metal workers
  • Livestock herding & management
  • Offerings & the rituals of offering for the deceased

One particularly famous scene is the hippopotamus fishing in the Nile marshes, which stunningly evokes movement as if filming a scene for an action movie.

These reliefs had religious and mundane purposes, they were thought to magically sustain Ti providing food and service providing for him in the afterlife.

Reasons to Visit the Tomb of Ti

If you are interested in ancient Egypt beyond that of its pharaohs, the Tomb of Ti offers an extraordinary, human-centric experience. While royal tombs are about gods, and the concept of eternity, Ti's tomb immerses us in the heterosexual elite's normal world—what they wore, what they ate, what work they did, and how they interacted.

It is among the best locations to see art being used as a device of memory, encompassing an entire way of life, not just belief.

Also located in northern Saqqara allows you to visit it with other prominent sites such as the Pyramids of Teti and Unas, and the Tomb of Kagemni.

Visitor Guidelines

  • The tomb is generally open for visitors, however access may alternate each season due to preservation efforts – check with your guide or reconfirm before traveling.
  • No flash photography, however the carvings are clearly illuminated, and exceptional.
  • There are narrow passages to walk through, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.
  • Take your time to really explore the scenes, such as their detail and their nuances, which are meaningful.

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