Entrance ticket to Deir el-Medina. Deir el-Medina is the village where the workmen who created the royal and private tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens lived with their families.It dates form the time of the 18th dynasty, probably to the reign of Amenhotep I, and is situated in a little valley behind the big Qurnet Murai hill.It was known as "Ta Set Maat" or the Place of Truth in times past. Photo of Deir el-Medina showing the remains of some mud brick houses and the hill in the background. The houses were made of mud brick and had a similar layout to one another.The walls of the village show some seals of the pharaoh Thutmosis I. There were usually 3 or 4 rooms.From the street there was a step that led into the first room. Inside this room was often an enclosed brick bench which was used for women to give birth in.Another step takes you into the main room, which was higher than the others. Just below the ceiling in here were windows to allow light to enter.This was probably used as a bedroom at night and as a family chapel during the day. It often contained a false door and offerings niche, for the families to honour their favorite deities and also their ancestors.There was also a kitchen which was open to the air. A number of different divinities were worshipped by the inhabitants of Deir el-Medina. Some chapels and sanctuaries have been discovered in and around the village which were dedicated to different gods and goddesses, such as, Hathor, Amen, Ptah, who was the patron of craftsmen, and Meretseger, the goddess who protected the necropolis of Thebes. The pharaoh Amenhotep I and his mother, Ahmose-Nefertari, were also worshipped by the people of Deir el-Medina, who saw them as patrons of the village. The photo shows the Temple of Hathor on the edge of the village of Deir el-Medina, as seen from an air balloon, courtesy of Sonny Stengle These workers were well respected and owned their homes. They were also allowed to build their own burial tomb in return for their work in the royal necropolis.The number of people living here appears to have varied from about 40 to 120. It is thought that the workers were divided into two teams. One team would work on the left hand side walls of a tomb whilst the other team would work on the right hand side walls. The two teams were supervised by two foremen.These foremen were seen as important members of the village and would also be responsible for discussing the villagers needs with the Vizier and Director of the Treasury.They were also responsible for administration of the village and managed the warehouse stores and supervised the distribution of the workers materials and pay. A view of another house in Deir el-Medina with part of the necropolis in the background. There were many different crafts amongst the villagers. Some were stone cutters, there were draftsmen, plasterers, colour painters and sculptors, carpenters and goldsmiths. They were paid in kind, by various food products, clothing and firewood.Often these skills were passed on from father to son. During the reign of Ramesses III the first recorded strike took place. The craftsmen "downed tools" after they had gone 20 days without any rations. They all received their due salaries following protests in the streets and at the temples. Some wonderful tombs have been discovered of craftsmen who lived in Deir el-Medina in the necropolis that overlooks the village.To see more information and fantastic photos of some of these tombs please go to a great website called, "Osirisnet" courtesy of Thierry Benderitter at:- http://www.osirisnet.net/tombes/artisans/e_artis1.htm All content on this page unless otherwise specified © Diane Day 2001-2004