TT40, the tomb of AMENHOTEP, surnamed HUY

Tomb TT 40 is in the Theban necropolis at Qurnet Mura’i. This is one of very few tombs datable with certainty to the reign of Tutankhamun. The owner is called Amenhotep, but prefers to be called the most familiar diminutive of Huy; he undertakes the very important function of "King’s Son of Kush, Overseer of the Southern Countries", in other words, he is Viceroy of Nubia.

The tomb of Huy is one of our major sources for understanding the functions of a Viceroy: the scenes showing presentation of the tribute to the sovereign are exceptional examples of such work and created the reputation of this monument. Another interesting point is the mixture between ‘classic’ elements and others that rec
all the Amarna period - which had just ended.

Huy's mother, named Wnher, is represented behind her son when he leaves the temple of Karnak after his appointment as Viceroy.

There is no mention of his father, probably because he was a high official who had shown a little too much compromise with Akhenaten; Huy also bears the title of Prince reflecting a noble ancestry.

The position of the lady Taemwadjsi in relation to Huy is unclear because of the ambiguity of the word "senet" which means sister, wife, cousin…? This important woman of the kingdom, who holds the position of "Chief lady of the harim of Nebkheperurê (Tutankhamun) at Sehetepnetjeru (Faras) ", thus the first lady of the 'Harim'. She appears in fact on several monuments in association with Huy (who she follows) but not in the TT40. Given the poor state of the decor in some areas, her name may have disappeared.