By: TII team
Date: January 10, 2025
Recently discovered artifacts by the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage are now on display at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut’s Funerary Temple in Deir al-Bahri, located on the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor, Egypt, January 8, 2025.
Photo: AP
LUXOR,— Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities announced several significant archaeological findings on Wednesday, including ancient tombs and burial shafts dating back over 3,600 years.
The discoveries were made near the iconic city of Luxor, at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri, located on the West Bank of the Nile River.
The findings were revealed by the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage, which collaborated with the Supreme Council of Antiquities on the excavation project. According to a statement from the foundation, the excavation has been ongoing since September 2022.
Among the discoveries were bronze coins bearing the image of Alexander the Great, dating to the Ptolemaic era, specifically the reign of Ptolemy I (367-283 BC). In addition to the coins, archaeologists uncovered children’s toys made from clay, cartonnage, funerary masks, winged scarabs, beads, and various amulets that would have been used in burial rituals.
Zahi Hawass, an internationally renowned Egyptologist, commented that these findings could help “reconstruct history” and provide insight into the religious and social practices of ancient Egyptians. He emphasized that the discoveries shed light on the kinds of programs and ceremonies that were held within the temple.
The excavation also uncovered the remains of Queen Hatshepsut’s Valley Temple, as well as rock-cut tombs from Egypt’s Middle Kingdom (1938 BC – 1630 BC). Burial shafts from the 17th dynasty and the tomb of a figure named Djehuti-Mes were also unearthed. Furthermore, parts of the Assassif Ptolemaic Necropolis were exposed, providing new information about the burial practices of the period.
Many of the tombs, which date to the Ptolemaic era, had been previously looted. Despite this, the archaeological team was able to recover several important artifacts, including pottery tables used in offerings of bread, wine, and meat.
Among the most intriguing discoveries were burial shafts dating to around 1580 BC to 1550 BC. Inside these shafts, archaeologists found intact anthropoid wooden coffins, including one belonging to a child. The child’s coffin has remained undisturbed for over 3,600 years. In addition, war archery bows were found in the burial chambers, suggesting that the tomb owners may have had military backgrounds and played a role in driving out the Hyksos, foreign rulers who once occupied Egypt.
Another significant find was the tomb of Djehuti-Mes, a royal official during the reign of Pharaoh Ahmose I (1550 BC – 1525 BC). While few artifacts were recovered from this tomb, the funerary stelae bearing the official’s name revealed key historical details about his life and his role in overseeing the palace of Queen Teti Sheri.
The excavation also uncovered a portion of the extended Ptolemaic necropolis, which had been built using mud bricks over the remains of Queen Hatshepsut’s temple. While much of the necropolis was uncovered earlier in the 20th century, the new findings are considered a significant contribution to the understanding of the site.
In a separate development, Egyptian and American archaeologists recently unearthed an ancient tomb with 11 sealed burials in the South Asasif necropolis near Luxor. The tomb, which dates to the Middle Kingdom, was found near the Temple of Hatshepsut and is expected to offer further insights into Egypt’s rich ancient history.
In 2023, antiquities officials announced the discovery of at least 2,000 mummified ram heads dating from the Ptolemaic period, along with a palatial structure from Egypt’s Old Kingdom. These finds were made at the temple of Ramses II in the ancient city of Abydos, located in southern Egypt. The discoveries further enrich the archaeological understanding of this historically significant region.
(Credit: AP | Reuters)
Copyright © 2025 The Insight International. All rights reserved
LUXOR,— Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities announced several significant archaeological findings on Wednesday, including ancient tombs and burial shafts dating back over 3,600 years.
The discoveries were made near the iconic city of Luxor, at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri, located on the West Bank of the Nile River.
The findings were revealed by the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage, which collaborated with the Supreme Council of Antiquities on the excavation project. According to a statement from the foundation, the excavation has been ongoing since September 2022.
Among the discoveries were bronze coins bearing the image of Alexander the Great, dating to the Ptolemaic era, specifically the reign of Ptolemy I (367-283 BC). In addition to the coins, archaeologists uncovered children’s toys made from clay, cartonnage, funerary masks, winged scarabs, beads, and various amulets that would have been used in burial rituals.
Zahi Hawass, an internationally renowned Egyptologist, commented that these findings could help “reconstruct history” and provide insight into the religious and social practices of ancient Egyptians. He emphasized that the discoveries shed light on the kinds of programs and ceremonies that were held within the temple.
The excavation also uncovered the remains of Queen Hatshepsut’s Valley Temple, as well as rock-cut tombs from Egypt’s Middle Kingdom (1938 BC – 1630 BC). Burial shafts from the 17th dynasty and the tomb of a figure named Djehuti-Mes were also unearthed. Furthermore, parts of the Assassif Ptolemaic Necropolis were exposed, providing new information about the burial practices of the period.
Many of the tombs, which date to the Ptolemaic era, had been previously looted. Despite this, the archaeological team was able to recover several important artifacts, including pottery tables used in offerings of bread, wine, and meat.
Among the most intriguing discoveries were burial shafts dating to around 1580 BC to 1550 BC. Inside these shafts, archaeologists found intact anthropoid wooden coffins, including one belonging to a child. The child’s coffin has remained undisturbed for over 3,600 years. In addition, war archery bows were found in the burial chambers, suggesting that the tomb owners may have had military backgrounds and played a role in driving out the Hyksos, foreign rulers who once occupied Egypt.
Another significant find was the tomb of Djehuti-Mes, a royal official during the reign of Pharaoh Ahmose I (1550 BC – 1525 BC). While few artifacts were recovered from this tomb, the funerary stelae bearing the official’s name revealed key historical details about his life and his role in overseeing the palace of Queen Teti Sheri.
The excavation also uncovered a portion of the extended Ptolemaic necropolis, which had been built using mud bricks over the remains of Queen Hatshepsut’s temple. While much of the necropolis was uncovered earlier in the 20th century, the new findings are considered a significant contribution to the understanding of the site.
In a separate development, Egyptian and American archaeologists recently unearthed an ancient tomb with 11 sealed burials in the South Asasif necropolis near Luxor. The tomb, which dates to the Middle Kingdom, was found near the Temple of Hatshepsut and is expected to offer further insights into Egypt’s rich ancient history.
In 2023, antiquities officials announced the discovery of at least 2,000 mummified ram heads dating from the Ptolemaic period, along with a palatial structure from Egypt’s Old Kingdom. These finds were made at the temple of Ramses II in the ancient city of Abydos, located in southern Egypt. The discoveries further enrich the archaeological understanding of this historically significant region.
(Credit: AP | Reuters)
Copyright © 2025 The Insight International. All rights reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment