Archaeologists in Luxor, Egypt, have made a groundbreaking discovery by unearthing tombs of high-ranking New Kingdom officials, providing new insights into Ancient Egyptian society. The tombs, located in the Draʻ Abu el-Naga site along the Nile River’s West Bank, date back to the Eighteenth Dynasty (1550–1292 B.C.), a period marked by Egypt’s peak as a centralized empire. Among the discoveries are the tombs of Paki, a grain silo supervisor, and Is, a temple and administrative leader, both of whom held significant roles in the region’s governance and religious systems. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities highlighted the importance of these findings, noting that they enhance Egypt’s position in the global cultural tourism landscape. The artifacts and inscriptions within the tombs, including depictions of religious rituals and processions, offer valuable information about the daily lives, beliefs, and administrative structures of the era. Officials emphasized that these discoveries could attract more visitors, especially those interested in cultural heritage, and underscore the ongoing efforts to explore and preserve Egypt’s rich historical legacy.
Archaeologists in Luxor, Egypt, have made a groundbreaking discovery by unearthing tombs of high-ranking New Kingdom officials, providing new insights into Ancient Egyptian society. The tombs, located in the Draʻ Abu el-Naga site along the Nile River’s West Bank, date back to the Eighteenth Dynasty (1550–1292 B.C.), a period marked by Egypt’s peak as a centralized empire. Among the discoveries are the tombs of Paki, a grain silo supervisor, and Is, a temple and administrative leader, both of whom held significant roles in the region’s governance and religious systems.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities highlighted the importance of these findings, noting that they enhance Egypt’s position in the global cultural tourism landscape. The artifacts and inscriptions within the tombs, including depictions of religious rituals and processions, offer valuable information about the daily lives, beliefs, and administrative structures of the era. Officials emphasized that these discoveries could attract more visitors, especially those interested in cultural heritage, and underscore the ongoing efforts to explore and preserve Egypt’s rich historical legacy.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the names and titles of the deceased have been identified through surviving inscriptions. The mission will continue with cleaning and studying the remaining inscriptions in the tombs to gain a deeper understanding of their owners and to study and publish the findings scientifically. The first tomb belonged to Amenemopet, a man from the Ramesside Period (1292–1069 B.C.), who worked in a temple dedicated to Amun, a highly venerated Egyptian god. Most of the hieroglyphics in his tomb were destroyed, but the remaining ones depict scenes of offering sacrifices, a depiction of the funerary furniture procession, and a banquet scene.
The second and third tombs date back to the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, which spanned from roughly 1550 to 1292 B.C. One belonged to a person named Paki, who worked as a supervisor of the grain silo, and the other to Is, who worked as a supervisor of the Amun temple in the oases, mayor of the northern oases, and a scribe. The tombs of both Paki and Is also had courtyards, in addition to shafts. In a statement, Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the discovery enhances Egypt’s position on the global cultural tourism map. These discovered tombs are among the sites that will significantly contribute to attracting more visitors, especially those who are fans of cultural tourism, due to their distinctive civilizational and human value.
The discovery comes on the heels of several recent exciting finds in Egypt. In April, a University of Pennsylvania professor spoke with Fox News Digital about unearthing the tomb of an unknown pharaoh near Abydos. Earlier in May, officials announced the discovery of ancient military fortifications that dated back to the Ptolemaic and Roman eras of Egyptian history. These findings reflect a broader trend of significant archaeological successes in Egypt, contributing to both academic research and the country’s tourism sector.