Egypt discovers 4,000-year-old tombs in Luxor

Egypt discovers 4,000-year-old tombs in Luxor

Egypt discovers 4,000-year-old tombs in Luxor AFP | Jan 08, 2025 06:32 PM IST Read this news in brief form Share Via Copy Link The findings date from the time of the 15th dynasty (1650-1550 BC) to the powerful 18th dynasty (1550-1292 BC).

Egypt on Wednesday unveiled new archaeological discoveries, including the 4,000-year-old tombs of high-ranking officials and artwork from the time of Queen Hatshepsut, at an ancient necropolis in the famed city of Luxor.

Archaeologists unearth and reassemble pieces of pottery at an intact section of the Queen Hatshepsut Valley Temple's foundations in Deir El-Bahari on the Nile's west bank in Luxor on December 8, 2025, during a media event to announce new discoveries by an Egyptian archaeological expedition.(AFP)

The artefacts, unearthed during a three-year-long excavation, were found in Deir al-Bahari area in the necropolis of Thebes on the west bank of the Nile, renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, who led the mission in cooperation with Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said in a statement.

The findings date from the time of the 15th dynasty (1650-1550 BC) to the powerful 18th dynasty (1550-1292 BC), which included pharaohs such as Queen Hatshepsut and King Tutankhamun.

The team unveiled an intact part of the foundations for the valley temple of Queen Hatshepsut's funerary complex as well as intricate artwork rendered in vivid bas-reliefs and inscriptions with remarkably preserved colours.

Some of the 1,500 decorated blocks depict the queen and her successor, Thutmose III, performing sacred rituals.

"(It is) the most beautiful scene I have ever seen in my life," Hawass, who personally unveiled the new discoveries at the temple, said.

"This is the first time that we have a final programme of the decoration of a temple dating to the 18th dynasty," he told reporters.

Beneath the temple's foundation, archaeologists also discovered a pristine set of ceremonial tools inscribed with Queen Hatshepsut's name.

Other major finds included the rock-cut tombs of high-ranking Middle Kingdom officials and an 18th-dynasty tomb of "the Overseer of the Palace" of Queen Tetisheri.

Tetisheri was the grandmother of King Ahmose I, who expelled the Hyksos, a Western Asian people who invaded Egypt and controlled the Nile Delta for nearly a century.

Also uncovered were burial shafts containing wooden coffins marked with a feather emblem of the 17th dynasty as well as children's graves complete with toys.

Wednesday's announcement came as Egypt ramped up efforts to revive its tourism sector, a key source of foreign currency for the country's struggling economy.

Last year, Egypt received 15.7 million tourists and aims to attract 18 million this year.

Latest World News

• Vaishnav sect akharas make their way to Maha Kumbh, take out grand procession
• Fastest growing and declining job roles by 2030 as per WEF, all you need to know
• With Hezbollah weakened, Lebanon to hold presidential vote
• Egypt discovers 4,000-year-old tombs in Luxor
• Pushpa 2 The Rule Reloaded, with additional 20 mins footage, gets delayed
• 'Takes 5-6 balls to pick visual cues on Bumrah. You could be out by then': Steve Smith's insight into facing India pacer
• Get ready for a spectacular Lohri with Garry Sandhu @ Burrah Project 3.0
• Pakistan stadiums incomplete, preparations for Champions Trophy 2025 in jeopardy; PCB dismisses concerns
• ICICI Bank leases 1.3 lakh sq ft office space in Turbhe near Mumbai for an annual rent of ₹9 crore
• Mercury enters Capricorn today: Dream job to big profits, THESE lucky zodiac signs set to rake in the money!