Meir lies at the edge of the cultivation, about 50km north-west of
Asyut. The modern town of el-Qusiya, about 8km to the east of
Meir, probably derives its name from the ancient Qis, classical Cusae during Graeco-Roman times. Although Qis was capital of the
14th Upper Egyptian nome, there are few remaining traces of the
ancient town. It was in the necropolis at Meir that the provincial
rulers, or nomarchs of the region were buried in tombs high in the
hillside, with the more humble population further down the slope. Meir has had little archaeological attention since the tombs were
first published by Aylward Blackman for the Egypt Exploration
Fund in 1914 and then excavated by Sayed Pasha Kabasha in 1919.
Reisner described model boats found at Meir and Daressy produced
a study of the coffins. Since then the area has been fairly inaccessible to tourists but recently several of the tombs have been cleared and opened to visitors. The cemetery has many important rock-cut
tombs dating to Dynasty VI and Dynasty XII, containing unusual
painted scenes, characterised by their naturalistic qualities. Many of the tombs contain highly detailed scenes of daily life, including
industries and sports and have a distinct local style.

Tomb of Niankh-hpepy (Meir A-1)
Niankh-hpepy was also known by the name of 'Hepi the Black'
and his large tomb reflects his important status of Chancellor of
Pepi I during Dynasty VI. The tomb contains four chambers. In the first and largest of these Niankh-hpepy and his wife are depicted
receiving offerings of cattle, birds, animals and food and observing
fishing and fowling, with the preparation of the catch. On the
western wall of the tomb there is a stela with an offering slab in front. There are many shafts in Niankh-hpepy’s tomb, for the burials
of his family.

Tomb of Pepyankh (Meir A-2)
Pepyankh was the son of Niankh-hpepy and was called 'Heni the
Black'. His tomb, which adjoins that of his father, is larger, and
contains many scenes with details of industries and the harvesting
of various crops, including grapes, grain and flax. On the left-hand wall of the western chamber are offering scenes which follow the
owner into a long corridor and a room with a large burial shaft. On
the right-hand wall Pepyankh is seen in a palanquin, shaded by a
fan-bearer, accompanied by his pet dog and monkey in registers
above. Another small offering chamber to the rear contains a false door. The central chamber (the