Archaeologists discover 3,000-year-old Egyptian tomb
Egyptology image: Carina van den Hoven
A team of international specialists headed by Carina van den Hoven from Leiden University, has discovered a 3,000-year-old tomb in Egypt. The tomb sheds new light on the history of the Theban necropolis, where more tombs are located.
The team discovered the tomb in Lower Sheikh ʿAbd el-Qurna, close to the Egyptian city of Luxor. The team closely collaborates with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The tomb comprises a forecourt leading to a rock-cut chapel beneath which lie underground burial chambers. Several architectural features have survived in remarkably good condition, including a staircase leading to the entrance.
The tomb’s decorated walls preserve scenes bearing the name of Paser and depict him worshipping various deities inside shrines and seated with his wife before an offering table. Based on the iconography and the artistic style of the monument’s decoration, the Egyptologists were able to date the tomb to the Ramesside Period of the New Kingdom, between around 1292 and 1069 BCE.
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Decorations in the tomb. -
Decorations in the tomb. -
Decorations in the tomb.
The next phase of the project will focus on the stabilisation of the tomb structure and on the conservation of the painted decoration. The researchers also want to learn more about the people buried there. The study is expected to shed new light on the historical and cultural development of Lower Sheikh ʿAbd el-Qurna and on how the tombs in this area relate to the surrounding environment and pre-existing monuments.
The discovery of the new tomb was made in the context of the project’s primary aim, which is to implement an extensive conservation and risk management programme for the area of Lower Sheikh ʿAbd el-Qurna. At the end of the project, the tombs in the area will be opened to visitors.
For more information, see the Luxor Archaeological Heritage Foundation website.