Ancient discovery
A pair of 3,500-year-old tombs unearthed in Egypt
LUXOR — Egypt on Saturday announced the discovery of two small ancient tombs in the southern city Luxor dating back some 3,500 years and hoped it will help the country’s efforts to revive its ailing tourism sector.
The tombs, located on the west bank of the river Nile in a cemetery for noblemen and top officials, are the latest discovery in the city famed for its temples and tombs spanning different dynasties of ancient Egyptian history.
“It’s truly an exceptional day,” Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani said. “The 18th dynasty private tombs were already known. But it’s the first time to enter inside the two tombs.”
Anani said the discoveries are part of the ministry’s efforts to promote Egypt’s vital tourism industry, partially driven by antiquities sightseeing, that was hit hard by extremist attacks and political turmoil following the 2011 uprising.
The ministry said one tomb has a courtyard lined with mud-brick and stone walls and contains a six-meter burial shaft leading to four side chambers.
The artifacts found inside were mostly fragments of wooden coffins. Wall inscriptions and paintings suggest it belongs to era between the reigns of King Amenhotep II and King Thutmose IV, both pharaohs of the 18th dynasty.
The other tomb has five entrances leading to a rectangular hall and contains two burial shafts located in the northern and southern sides of the tomb.
Among the artifacts found inside are funerary cones, painted wooden funerary masks, clay vessels, a collection of some 450 statues and a mummy wrapped in linen who was likely a top official. A cartouche carved on the ceiling bears the name of King Thutmose I of the early 18th dynasty, the ministry said.
“The tomb’s owner is unknown yet but there are two possibilities. The first suggests that the tomb could belong to a person named ‘Djehuty Mes’ as his name was engraved on one of the walls,” said Doctor Mostafa Waziri, the general
The tombs were already known. But it’s the first time to enter inside the two tombs.”
Khaled al-Anani, Egypt’s antiquities minister
secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
“All the inscriptions are found on the western wall located at the tomb’s northern end showing two feast scenes; the first depicts a person, probably the deceased’s brother, presenting offerings and flowers to the deceased and his wife,” he said.
He added that the second possibility sees that the owner could be the scribe “Maati” as his name and the name of his wife “Mehi” were inscribed on 50 funerary cones found in the tomb’s rectangular chamber.
The Egyptian official said that a burial of a woman named “Isis Nefret” was also found.
“Studies suggest that it could be the mother of the tomb’s owner,” he said.
Waziri revealed that a very special ushabti depicting Isis Nefret in the form of Osiris was found.
The tomb has only one inscription on one of its northern pillars, showing a scene of a seated man offering food to four oxen.
The entrance of the long hall inscribed with remains of hieroglyphic text with the name of “Djehuty Mes”.
As one of the most ancient civilizations, Egypt has been hard at work to preserve its archaeological heritage.
Since the beginning of 2017, the Antiquities Ministry has made a string of discoveries in several provinces across Egypt including the tomb of a royal goldsmith, in the same area and belonging to the same dynasty, whose work was dedicated to the ancient Egyptian god Amon.