Egyptian archaeologists have discovered three new tombs in Luxor dating from the New Kingdom period between 1550BC and 1070BC.
They were uncovered at the Dra Abu Al Naga necropolis, with the excavators identifying the names and titles of their owners through inscriptions found inside, according to a statement on Monday by Egypt's Tourism and Antiquities Ministry.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said a further study of inscriptions inside other tombs is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the owners.
The ministry released pictures of items found in the tombs, including artefacts and statues. The discovery comes ahead of the full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, scheduled for this summer. The museum will showcase more than 100,000 artefacts from Egypt’s rich ancient heritage.
One of the tombs discovered in Luxor on Monday belonged to Amum-em-Ipet, from the Ramesside period, who worked in the estate of Amun. His tomb was mostly destroyed and what remained were depictions of the funeral furniture carriers and a banquet.
Amum-em-Ipet’s tomb begins with a small courtyard leading to an entrance and then a square hall ending with a niche, whose western wall was destroyed.
The other tombs date back to the 18th Dynasty and include one belonging to a man named Baki, who served as a supervisor of a grain silo. Another tomb contains the burial of a person named “S”, who held several roles – he was a supervisor at the Temple of Amun in the oasis, a writer and the mayor of the northern oases.
Baki’s tomb has a courtyard leading to the main entrance of the tomb as well as another long corridor-like courtyard. It also has a transverse hall leading to another longitudinal hall that connects to an unfinished chamber, which contains a burial well.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathi described the discovery as a significant scientific and archaeological achievement, saying it would help boost cultural tourism and attract more visitors with an interest in Egypt’s heritage.
In January, Egypt made several discoveries near Luxor, including ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts dating back 3,600 years. They were unearthed at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple at Deir Al Bahri on the western bank of the Nile.
Late last year, Egyptian and American archaeologists excavated an ancient tomb with 11 sealed burials near Luxor. The tomb, which dates to the Middle Kingdom, was found in the South Asasif necropolis, next to the Temple of Hatshepsut.
