Archaeologists have made remarkable discoveries at the ancient necropolis of Thebes in Luxor, revealing much about the architectural and cultural splendor of Egypt’s New Kingdom. These finds include intact portions of the foundation wall of Queen Hatshepsut’s valley temples and the nearby tomb of Queen Tetisheri, the grandmother of Pharaoh Ahmose I, among other discoveries.
Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, Egypt. Credit: Marc Ryckaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
Over 1,500 decorated stone blocks were unearthed on the perimeter of Hatshepsut’s funerary temple in Deir al-Bahari during excavations led by one of Egypt’s most famous archaeologists and the former minister of antiquities, Zahi Hawᴀss. There are some extraordinary bas-reliefs and inscriptions preserved on the blocks, which provide rare insights into the ritual and architectural knowledge of the 18th Dynasty—surely one of the greatest eras of Ancient Egypt, when great pharaohs like Hatshepsut and Tutankhamun reigned.
“This is the first time we’ve discovered such a comprehensive set of decorated blocks, showcasing some of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever encountered,” Hawᴀss said in a press conference. These colorful reliefs depict Queen Hatshepsut and her successor, Thutmose III, performing sacred rituals.
The valley temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of the few female pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty who reigned until her death around 1458 BCE, was partially destroyed centuries later. Excavators also found ceremonial implements beneath the foundation of the temple bearing her name and a limestone tablet mentioning Senmut, the queen’s chief architect.
Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, Egypt. Credit: AXP PH๏τography
Not far from Hatshepsut’s temple, archaeologists also uncovered the tomb of Queen Tetisheri, the grandmother of Ahmose I, the king who expelled the Hyksos invaders and founded Egypt’s New Kingdom. Her rock-cut tomb consisted of a vaulted chapel made of mud bricks with red wall drawings on a white mortar background.
“The excavation team discovered burial shafts containing wooden coffins from the 17th Dynasty, adorned with a feather emblem, and children’s tombs with toys inside.
The KV60A mummy, thought to be that of Hatshepsut. Credit: Vrangel1924, CC BY-SA 4.0
The findings, spanning from the 15th Dynasty (1650–1550 BCE) to the 18th Dynasty (1550–1292 BCE), underscore the historical richness of Luxor as a cradle of ancient Egyptian civilization. Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities unveiled the discoveries amid efforts to boost the country’s tourism sector, a vital source of foreign currency for its economy.
The discoveries, dating from the 15th Dynasty (1650–1550 BCE) to the 18th Dynasty (1550–1292 BCE), highlight Luxor’s significance as a cradle of ancient Egyptian civilization.
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