New Discoveries in Egypt’s Royal Tomb Could “Reconstruct History”
Archaeologists have made a major breakthrough in the excavation of an ancient Egyptian queen’s tomb, uncovering a treasure trove of artifacts, coffins, and even the remains of a young boy. The discoveries were made near the city of Luxor, which is home to the ancient city of Thebes.
The tomb, believed to belong to Queen Hatshepsut’s Valley Temple and rock-cut tomb, dates back to around 3,000 years ago. The archaeological team has unearthed a range of artifacts, including bronze age coins featuring the image of Alexander the Great, clay toys, winged scarabs, and funeral masks.
One of the most significant discoveries was the remains of a young child found in a burial shaft, along with wooden coffins and other artifacts. The discovery of weapons, including war archery bows, suggests that those buried there had a military background and had fought against the Hyksos to liberate Egypt.
The excavation has also uncovered the tomb of Djehuti-Mes, the overseer of Queen Teti Sheri’s palace, which has been dated to around 1550-1525 B.C. The team has also found parts of the Assassifc Ptolemaic Necropalis, a large cemetery with significant tombs and burials.
According to Dr. Zahi Hawass, the leader of the excavation team, the discoveries could “reconstruct history” and offer new insights into the types of programs designed by ancient Egyptians inside temples. The team has been working on the site since 2022, alongside Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiques.
These latest discoveries come on the heels of previous excavations, which uncovered 11 burial sites in a tomb near Luxor, containing 11 graves with the skeletons of men, women, and children. The tomb was used by several families from the 12th to 13th dynasties of Egypt.