Ancient Egyptian elite tombs unearthed in Luxor discovery

In Luxor, on the west bank of the Nile, archaeologists made an extraordinary discovery. In the desert sands, they found three tombs that may be over 3,500 years old. This discovery may contain the remains of individuals belonging to the elite of ancient Egypt.

According to the German newspaper Bild, the tombs were discovered in the Dra Abu el-Naga necropolis, just a few miles from the famous Valley of the Kings, where Pharaoh Tutankhamun rests.

Also read: The long history of the pharaohs has another chapter. A 3,600-year-old tomb was discovered in Abydos, Egypt.

This child pharaoh, who ascended the throne at the age of nine, is known for his nearly intact tomb with a golden mask. He lived in the same era as the individuals buried in the newly discovered tombs, during the 18th Dynasty, which was a period of flourishing in ancient Egypt.

Although the identity of the buried individuals is not yet known, archaeologists from the University of Alcala in Spain, working with Egyptian authorities, suspect that one of the tombs might have belonged to a high-ranking official. The Dra Abu el-Naga necropolis was a burial site for influential people such as officials, priests, and craftsmen of high status.

The tombs contained skeletons, painted wooden coffins, amulets, and ceramic vessels, indicating the high social status of the deceased. Unfortunately, many of these artifacts are in poor condition—many are damaged, broken, or have fallen apart.

Despite the poor condition of many finds, their location and contents suggest that the people buried there may have played important roles in the state apparatus of the New Kingdom when Egypt was at the height of its power.

Scientists hope that further analyses will reveal more information about the lives of these individuals, who lived in times when death was seen merely as the beginning of a new journey.