Everything about Egypt's latest major archeological discovery

Egypt has once again captured global attention with an extraordinary archaeological revelation in Luxor, adding a significant chapter to the story of one of the world’s most fascinating ancient civilizations. On January 8, 2025, officials and archaeologists unveiled discoveries near the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, shedding new light on the grandeur of ancient Egyptian royalty, their religious beliefs, and their funerary practices.

The latest excavations in Luxor’s West Bank unearthed a treasure trove of royal artifacts not seen since the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. This momentous find was revealed during a press conference attended by prominent Egyptian officials and archaeologists, including Governor Abdel-Matallab Emara and Mohamed Ismail, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The discovery, hailed as one of the most significant in recent years, has further cemented Egypt’s place at the center of global archaeological exploration.

Among the remarkable artifacts uncovered were over 1,500 limestone blocks from Hatshepsut’s valley temple, many adorned with intricate inscriptions and paintings. Additionally, over 100 stone tablets—crafted from limestone, sandstone, and granite—were found bearing Queen Hatshepsut’s cartouches, inscribed with her personal name “Hatshepsut” and her throne name “Maatkare.” These findings offer invaluable insight into the religious and political narratives of the New Kingdom.

One of the most striking discoveries was a limestone tablet inscribed with the name of Senenmut, Hatshepsut’s trusted advisor and overseer of her palace. This evidence reaffirms that Senenmut, rather than the high priest of Amun, Habu Senmut, was responsible for constructing the queen’s mortuary temple. Additional inscriptions and artwork depict Queen Hatshepsut participating in religious rituals, alongside her co-regent Thutmose III, illustrating the complex interplay of power and divinity in ancient Egypt.

A major highlight of the discovery is a complete burial cache belonging to Queen Hatshepsut. The cache includes ritual objects made of wood, colored pottery, woven baskets, and bronze, all inscribed with phrases invoking the queen’s divine connection to Amun. These artifacts help bridge historical gaps and provide fresh perspectives on the funerary traditions of the 18th Dynasty.

Adding to the significance of the excavation was the discovery of a tomb belonging to a high-ranking official from the reign of Ahmose I, the pharaoh who expelled the Hyksos and unified Egypt around 1550 BC. This tomb, built from mud-brick and plaster, contains an intricately carved limestone stela depicting the official at an offering table, along with hieroglyphic inscriptions detailing provisions for the afterlife. The stela was dedicated by the official’s close friend, a chariot commander named Khutymes, highlighting themes of loyalty and commemoration in ancient Egyptian society.

Excavators also uncovered funerary cone seals from the late 17th and early 18th Dynasties. These clay seals, inscribed with the names and titles of their owners, support the hypothesis that the architect Senenmut repurposed an older cemetery to construct Hatshepsut’s temple. One seal, belonging to a high priest of Amun named Khuthut, suggests that his undiscovered tomb may lie nearby, raising further intrigue among archaeologists.

The excavation has also provided deeper insight into the lives of middle-class Egyptians from the 17th Dynasty. Burial shafts containing feathered coffins—adorned with divine wing motifs—offer a glimpse into funerary beliefs during Egypt’s struggle against the Hyksos. The discovery of a small child’s coffin, still sealed and bound with a rope handle, was particularly poignant, reflecting the intimate and personal nature of these burials.

Beyond the grandeur of the New Kingdom, archaeologists also unearthed an extensive cemetery dating back to the Ptolemaic era, which began following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. The excavation at Asasif revealed tombs built from mud-brick, with burial chambers carved into the rock. Some of these were family tombs, allowing multiple generations to be buried together, while others were modest single-person burials.

Artifacts discovered within these tombs include bronze coins featuring Alexander the Great, terracotta figurines, pottery vessels dedicated to the god Bes, and elaborately decorated cartonnage coffins. Unlike their Pharaonic predecessors, the Ptolemaic elite seemed to have spent less on their tombs, possibly reflecting shifting religious beliefs or economic challenges.

The mission also uncovered evidence of tomb looting and artifact repurposing from later periods. Notably, a sandstone coffin was found constructed from slabs originally taken from the chapel of a Divine Wife of Amun, a title held by influential priestesses during the 26th Dynasty. This suggests that ancient builders reused existing materials for their own burials, highlighting a pragmatic approach to tomb construction in later periods.

Despite these groundbreaking discoveries, one mystery remains: the absence of statues of Queen Hatshepsut at the site. Historically, statues depicting the queen in various regal and divine poses were an integral part of temple complexes. The excavation team believes there may still be an undiscovered cache of Hatshepsut’s statues buried within the site, much like the one revealed by Herbert Winlock near Deir el-Bahari’s upper temple entrance. Ongoing excavations in the northern part of the site aim to uncover these long-lost relics, potentially providing further insight into the artistic and religious landscape of her reign.

The recent discoveries at Luxor’s West Bank offer a profound glimpse into Egypt’s past, from the reign of the warrior-pharaoh Ahmose I to the cultural transformations of the Ptolemaic era. These findings enhance our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization, shedding new light on burial customs, religious practices, and the complexities of temple construction.

As excavations continue, the world eagerly anticipates further revelations from this historical treasure trove. Each discovery not only enriches our knowledge of the past but also ensures that the legacy of ancient Egypt endures for future generations.