painted tomb

Part of the decoration of the 'Painted Tomb' at Heirakonpolis includes depictions of men, animals and boats, similar to those on the pottery of the period. The figure holding up what appears to be two lions is a motif that has links to early Mesopotamia. The tomb was well furnished and elaborately decorated. Built in about 3300 BC, it was probably the burial place of a ruler of predynastic Upper Egypt.

Image and text © The British Museum