4000-year-old tombs, works of art, toys… Egypt unveils new archaeological discoveries

New treasures have been unearthed in an ancient necropolis in the famous city of Luxor, Egypt announced on Wednesday. These man-made objects, unearthed during a three-year excavation, were found in the Deir al-Bahari area, in the necropolis of Thebes, on the west bank of the Nile, the statement said. Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, who led the mission in cooperation with Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. The finds span from the 15th Dynasty (1650-1550 BC) to the powerful 18th Dynasty (1550-1292 BC), which included pharaohs like Queen Hatshepsut and King Tutankhamun.

The team unveiled an intact portion of the foundations of Queen Hatshepsut’s Burial Valley Temple as well as works of art, including vividly colored and remarkably preserved bas-reliefs and inscriptions.

“The most beautiful scenes I have seen in my life”

The 1,500 decorated blocks depict the queen and her successor, Thutmose III, performing sacred rituals. “(These are) the most beautiful scenes I have seen in my life,” said Zahi Hawass, who revealed these discoveries. “This is the first time that we have a final set of temple decoration dating from the 18th dynasty,” he told reporters.

Other discoveries include Middle Kingdom rock-cut tombs of high-ranking officials, as well as a tomb of the “palace overseer” of 17th Dynasty Queen Tetishéri, the grandmother of King Ahmose, who expelled the Hyksos of Egypt. The Hyksos, invaders from western Asia who took control of the Nile Delta around 1638 BC, ruled parts of Egypt until their defeat and expulsion by King Ahmose in 1530 BC .-C.

Burial shafts containing wooden coffins adorned with a 17th Dynasty feather sign, as well as children’s tombs containing toys and sections from the Ptolemaic necropolis of Assasif near the temple of Queen Hatshepsut were also found. discovered.

Wednesday’s announcement comes as Egypt steps up efforts to revive its tourism sector, a key source of foreign currency for the struggling economy. After experiencing setbacks since the political unrest following the 2011 uprising, tourism has started to recover in recent years. Last year, Egypt welcomed 15.7 million tourists and hopes to attract 18 million this year.