Archaeologists have unveiled a treasure trove of ancient artifacts in Luxor, Egypt, that could reshape our understanding of life and rituals during the era of Queen Hatshepsut. These remarkable discoveries, buried beneath layers of time, include tombs, burial shafts, and remnants of a temple dating back as far as 3,600 years.
The Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage, in collaboration with Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, began its excavations near Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple in September 2022. This site, located on the west bank of the Nile, has already yielded an array of artifacts offering a glimpse into life near Luxor around 1500 B.C.
Among the finds are bronze coins, funerary masks, winged scarabs, amulets, and even children’s clay toys. Some coins, bearing the image of Alexander the Great, date to 367-283 B.C., providing valuable insights into Egypt’s interactions with other civilizations. While looters stripped many tombs of their most valuable contents centuries ago, the team discovered pottery tables used for offerings, bows likely tied to the military, and other relics that reveal cultural practices.
New Discoveries in Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple
The excavation team identified rock-cut tombs dating back to the Middle Kingdom (1938-1630 B.C.) and burial shafts from the 17th dynasty (1580-1550 B.C.). In one of these shafts, archaeologists found wooden coffins and the remains of a young child, offering rare insights into burial customs of the time.
One notable tomb belonged to Djehuti-Mes, an overseer in Queen Teti Sheri’s palace. Although looted long ago, its engravings date back to the ninth year of King Ahmose I, around 1550-1525 B.C., confirming the tomb’s historical significance.
Adding another layer to the site’s rich history, the team uncovered part of the Assassif Ptolemaic Necropolis, constructed with mud bricks over the remains of Queen Hatshepsut’s temple. Though much of this necropolis was previously discovered, it had not been thoroughly documented until now.
Just a year earlier, in November 2024, archaeologists unearthed 11 sealed burials in a nearby Middle Kingdom tomb. These graves, containing skeletons of men, women, and children, served as a family tomb spanning generations from the 12th and 13th dynasties. Unique pieces of jewelry linked these individuals to prominent families of the time.
These ongoing discoveries highlight the vast cultural and historical wealth hidden beneath the sands of Luxor. From the lives of royal palace overseers to the simple toys of children, the artifacts provide a rare window into the ancient world, bringing Egypt’s past vividly to life.
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