Interior of rock-cut tomb from the Old Kingdom. Near Aswan, Egypt

"Qubbet al-Hawa ('Dome of the Wind') takes its name from a small domed structure on the summit of a hill on the western bank of the Nile. Below, the cliff is honeycombed with tombs hewn out of the rock about half way up the elevation facing the river. The group of Old Kingdom tombs (2686-2181B.C.) lie on the lower level." [Kamil Jill, 1993: Aswan and Abu Simbel, History and Guide. The American University in Cairo Press]. "Most of the rock-cut tombs show certain local characteristics already apparent in the Old Kingdom. Those dating from before the Eleventh Dynasty are usually simple and rather modest. Nevertheless, local features, such as rows of pillars supporting the roof at Aswan, the long axis of the chapel, parallel to the facade as a result of its being a copy of the offering chapel of a mastaba, are obvious. The originally battered facade in imitation of that of a mastaba is also a prime example." [Badawi A., 1968: A History of Egyptian Architecture. University of California Press]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was working on "The Nile" project and traveled to Africa from March 14, 1961 to March 31, 1961, visiting Egypt.