Two Brothers Tomb-Ne Ankh Khnum & Khnum Hotep-Saqqara Egypt

"Because the two owners of this double tomb stand face to face, it was once thought that they were brothers, thus the common name -The Tomb of the Two Brothers. These men had, in fact, different parents, and are primarily linked through friendship and profession. They were both Priests of the Sun Temple." - Mary Ann Sullivan, Bluffton University

Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum were ancient Egyptian royal servants. They shared the title of "Overseer of the Manicurists in the Palace of King Niuserre" during the Fifth Dynasty of Egyptian pharaohs, circa 2400 B.C., and are listed as "royal confidants" in their joint tomb. They are speculated to be the first recorded same-sex couple in history.

The tomb of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum was discovered by Egyptologist Ahmed Moussa in the necropolis at Saqqara, Egypt in 1964, during the excavation of the causeway for the pyramid of King Unas. It is the only tomb in the necropolis where men are displayed embracing and holding hands. In addition, the men's chosen names form a linguistic reference to their closeness:

Niankhkhnum means "joined to life" and Khnumhotep means "joined to 'the blessed state of the dead'" and together the names can be translated as "joined in life and joined in death"

In a banquet scene, Niankhkhnum and Khnuhotep are entertained by dancers, clappers, musicians and singers. In another, they oversee their funeral preparations. In a striking portrayal, the two embrace, noses touching, in the most intimate pose allowed by canonical Egyptian art, surrounded by what would appear to be their heirs (enhanced image - © 1999 Greg Reeder).