Paneb was a chief at Deir el-Medina, a workmen's community at Thebes. The author of the Papyrus Salt 124, , describes himself as a workman and the son of the former chief-workman Nebnefer. His brother, Neferhotep, took over as chief-workman at the death of his father, and was killed by an "enemy". This enemy is interpreted as either foreign enemies or a domestic army during Amenmesse's usurpation of Thebes. Though Amennakht felt entitled to become the chief-workman, the vizier, Paraemheb, gave the role to Paneb. Though he believes that the role is not Paneb's to begin with, he proceeds to list accusations of varying severity so as to better justify his contention that Paneb should be removed from the role of chief-workman.