Egyptian archaeologists have unveiled remarkable ancient discoveries near Luxor, including rock-cut tombs and burial shafts dating back 3,600 years. These findings were announced on Wednesday at the site of Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri on the Nile’s West Bank.
The Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage, in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities, has been working at the site since September 2022. Among the artifacts discovered are bronze coins bearing the image of Alexander the Great from the era of Ptolemy I (367-283 BCE), children’s clay toys, funerary masks, winged scarabs, beads, and amulets.
Zahi Hawass, the renowned archaeologist, emphasized the significance of these discoveries, noting their potential to “reconstruct history” and shed light on ancient Egyptian temple practices.
Key Discoveries:
- Rock-Cut Tombs and Burial Shafts: Dating to the Middle Kingdom (1938-1630 BCE) and 17th Dynasty, the tombs contained anthropoid wooden coffins, including one of a young child that remained intact for 3,600 years.
- Military Artifacts: War archery bows found in the burial chamber suggest that some tomb owners had military roles, possibly fighting to liberate Egypt from the Hyksos.
- Queen Hatshepsut’s Valley Temple: Remains of the temple and parts of the Assassif Ptolemaic Necropolis were unearthed, revealing layers of historical occupation.
- Tomb of Djehuti-Mes: This tomb belonged to a high-ranking official during Queen Teti Sheri’s reign. The funerary stela indicates it dates back to the 9th year of King Ahmose I’s rule (1550-1525 BCE).
Historical Context
Some tombs, previously looted during the Ptolemaic period, still held artifacts such as pottery tables used for offering bread, wine, and meat. The necropolis also included mudbrick tombs built over Queen Hatshepsut’s temple remains, with parts unearthed earlier in the 20th century but not fully documented.
In November 2024, Egyptian and American archaeologists discovered an ancient tomb with 11 sealed burials in the South Asasif necropolis, further highlighting Luxor’s rich archaeological significance.
These findings add depth to the understanding of ancient Egyptian history and continue to position Luxor as a treasure trove of cultural heritage.