Archaeological Team Uncovers Trio of Ancient Tombs in Luxor, Egypt

CAIRO – Egypt unveiled three new tombs of prominent statesman in the Dra Abu al-Naga necropolis in Luxor, officials said Monday.

Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed tombs from the New Kingdom era (1550–1070 B.C.) and have determined the names and titles of their occupants through inscriptions inside them, according to a statement by the tourism and antiquities ministry.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, mentioned in the statement that further analysis of other tomb inscriptions is required to better understand the identities of the tombs’ owners.

The ministry shared images of items found within the tombs, including artifacts and statues. This discovery coincides with the upcoming full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, anticipated this summer, although the exact date has yet to be confirmed. The museum aims to exhibit over 100,000 artifacts from Egypt’s extensive ancient history.

One of the tombs discovered in Luxor on Monday belonged to Amum-em-Ipet, from the Ramesside period, who worked in the estate of Amun. His tomb was mostly destroyed and what remained were depictions of the funeral furniture carriers and a banquet.

Amun-Im-Ipet’s tomb begins with a small courtyard leading to an entrance and then a square hall ending with a niche, whose western wall was destroyed.

The other tombs date back to the 18th Dynasty and include one belonging to a man named Baki, who served as a supervisor of the grain silo. Another tomb contains the burial of an individual named “S,” who held multiple roles — he was a supervisor at the Temple of Amun in the oasis, a writer and the mayor of the northern oases.

Baki’s tomb has a courtyard leading to the main entrance of the tomb as well as a long corridor-like courtyard. It also has a transverse hall leading to another longitudinal hall that leads up to an unfinished chamber that contains a burial well.

Meanwhile, the other tomb that belongs to “S” has a small courtyard with a well, the tomb’s main entrance, and a transverse hall that leads to an incomplete longitudinal hall.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathi described the discovery as a significant scientific and archaeological achievement, noting that it is one of the areas poised to greatly boost cultural tourism and attract more visitors with an interest in Egypt’s rich heritage.

In January, Egypt made several discoveries near the famed city of Luxor, including ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts dating back 3,600 years. They were unearthed at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri on the Nile’s West Bank.

Late last year, Egyptian and American archaeologists excavated an ancient tomb with 11 sealed burials near Luxor. The tomb, which dates to the Middle Kingdom, was found in the South Asasif necropolis, next to the Temple of Hatshepsut.