AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEAM HAS DISCOVERED 3,000-YEAR-OLD EGYPTIAN TOMBS DEDICATED TO NOTABLE STATESMEN
A British-Egyptian archaeological team discovered King Thutmose II's tomb near Luxor in February 2025. The finding provided important new information on the ancient king and was the first of its sort in more than a century. Following that incredible discovery, another archaeological team has discovered yet another gem in Luxor: 3,000-year-old tombs dedicated to three notable statesmen.
The tombs were situated in the Dra’Abul El Naga neighbourhood on the West Bank of Luxor and were built during the New Kingdom period (1539–1077 BCE), according to a statement posted on Instagram by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The crew was able to determine the identities and roles of the three statesmen thanks to the inscriptions found in each tomb. For example, a guy from the Ramesside period named Amun-em-Ipet, who worked on Amun's land, had a tomb. The tomb still has a tiny courtyard that leads to an entryway and a square hall, finishing with a niche, although much of its structure has been destroyed. Inscriptions, a dinner, and funeral furniture carriers are also still discernible.
According to the statement, the other two graves are from the 18th Dynasty and are attributed to Baki, a granary supervisor, and “ES,” who was a notable figure as a mayor of the Northern Oases and a supervisor of the Temple of Amun. Baki's tomb has an unfinished chamber with a burial well, a transverse hall, and a courtyard leading to the main entrance. Es's tomb is similarly laid out, with a main entrance, a transverse corridor leading to an unfinished hall, and a small courtyard with a well.
The discovery was praised by Sherif Fathy, the minister of tourism and antiques, as a “significant addition to Egypt’s rich archaeological record,” ultimately boosting its “position on the global cultural tourism map.” In keeping with their "expertise and capacities," he further underlined that the archaeological team was led solely by Egyptians. The Supreme Council of Antiquities' secretary-general, Dr. Mohammed Ismail Khaled, further stated that the discovery "underscores the richness and diversity of the tombs" at Dra'Abul El Naga and that more cleaning and research are presently being done on the inscriptions and burial shafts.
