[1][2] The location of the tomb was not revealed at the time of its discovery in order to maintain secrecy during a period of competition between excavators, and was since lost.

His tomb was discovered around 1820 by a young Greek, Giovanni ("Yanni") d'Athanasi,[4] who at the time was working for Henry Salt, the British Consul-General.

[5][6] The tomb's plastered walls were richly and skilfully decorated with lively fresco paintings, depicting idealised views of Nebamun's life and activities.

[4][9] The best-known of the tomb's paintings include Nebamun fowl hunting in the marshes, dancing girls at a banquet, and a pond in a garden.

[10] In 2009, the British Museum opened up a new gallery dedicated to the display of the restored eleven wall fragments from the tomb.