During the era when Ancient Egypt flourished, producing renowned rulers like Tutankhamun and Ramses II, an intriguing revelation has emerged.
Archaeologists have recently unearthed an Ancient Egyptian tomb in the vibrant southern city of Luxor. To their astonishment, the tomb contained remarkably well-preserved mummies, indicating a profound level of preservation. Scholars estimate that this tomb dates back nearly 4,000 years.
Within the tomb’s confines, two sarcophagi were discovered, each housing mummies in near-impeccable condition, as reported by History. These coffins were found in the same burial site known as the El-ᴀssasif necropolis.
The El-ᴀssasif necropolis lies between the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings, sacred resting places for nobles and officials who served closely alongside the pharaohs.
One of the sarcophagi yielded a female mummy, tentatively identified as Thuya. While the investigation is ongoing, experts believe this mummy dates back approximately 3,000 years, according to a statement from a ministry official.
The second sarcophagus is believed to hold the mummified remains of the priest Thaw-Irkhet-if, renowned for overseeing the mummification process for several pharaohs at the Temple of Mut in Karnak.
Minister of Antiquities Dr. Khaled El-Elany revealed, “One sarcophagus was of rishi-style, dating back to the 17th dynasty, while the other belonged to the 18th dynasty.”
The tomb itself is presumed to originate from the 18th dynasty, spanning from around 1550 B.C. to 1300 B.C. This dynasty boasted renowned pharaohs like Tutankhamen and Ramses II, who have captured the collective imagination.
The discovery of this tomb and its sarcophagi was made by an archaeological team that has been diligently excavating the site since March 2018, as announced by Mostafa Waziri, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, on November 24.
Earlier in November, Minister El-Elany stated the intention to announce three significant archaeological findings before the year’s end.
By showcasing discoveries such as this one, Egyptian officials aspire to enhance the country’s image and attract a greater number of visitors. Since the Arab Spring political uprising in 2011, which resulted in widespread violence and the eventual overthrow of the Egyptian government, tourism in the nation has experienced a decline.
However, these remarkable archaeological findings hold the potential to rekindle interest in Egypt as a premier tourist destination, according to Egyptian authorities.
While other tombs have been uncovered throughout this ongoing project, this marks the first occasion where Egyptian authorities have publicly unveiled an ancient sarcophagus before an international audience.
With such a historically significant discovery, the Egyptian government stands to gain the positive media attention they desire, potentially reviving Egypt’s status as a hotspot for eager tourists.
