Egypt: discovery in Luxor of the "largest ancient city in Egypt"
A photo of the "ancient city" taken on April 8, 2021 in Luxor.
AFP - -
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An Egyptian archaeological mission has discovered the "largest ancient city in Egypt," dating back more than 3000 BCE, near Luxor in the south of the country.
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"
The archaeological mission (...) discovered a buried city (...) which dates from the reign of King Amenhotep III and which continued to be used by King Tutankhâmon, that is to say
3,000 years ago
", affirms the archaeological mission in a press release.
Arrived on the throne in 1391 before our era, Amenhotep III died in -1353.
Objects, including jewelry and pottery bearing his seal have been found in the city, confirming the dating.
It is "
the largest ancient city in Egypt,
" former Minister of Antiquities and archaeologist Zahi Hawass said Thursday.
The mission began its excavations in September 2020 between the temples of Ramses III and Amenhotep III near Luxor, about 500 km south of Cairo.
"
Within a few weeks, to the team's surprise, clay brick formations began to appear,
" the statement said.
And the site is "
in a good state of conservation, with almost entire walls and rooms full of tools of daily life
."
"
The discovery of this lost city is the second most important archaeological discovery since the tomb of Tutankhamun,
" said Betsy Brian, professor of Egyptology at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, also quoted in the press release.
In particular, it will allow "
to offer us a rare glimpse into the life of the ancient Egyptians during the most prosperous hours of the (New) Empire
".
The city is made up of "
three royal palaces (...) as well as the administrative and manufacturing center of the Empire
".
But archaeologists also unearthed a “
food preparation area
” with a “
bakery
”, an “
administrative district
” and a construction “
workshop
”.
Two burials of "
cows or bulls
" as well as an "
unusual
"
human body
were also discovered.
Restore the image of the country thanks to its archaeological heritage
This is timely news for the Egyptian authorities who are seeking to improve the image of the country, while tourism, a key sector, has been undermined by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Egypt seeks to bring back visitors, in particular by promoting its ancient heritage.
Last week,
22 floats carrying mummies of
ancient Egyptian
kings and queens
passed through Cairo in a spectacular parade to reach the National Civilization Museum.
A ceremony chaired by the Head of State Abdel Fattah al-Sissi and by Unesco and World Tourism Organization officials.
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To read also
: in Egypt, the great return of the “pharaonic” feeling
Framed by a mounted guard, the first black chariots adorned with golden and luminous patterns reminiscent of ancient funeral boats (our photo) left at 8 p.m. (6 p.m. UT) Tahrir Square and the Cairo Museum, where the mummies had rested for more than 'a century.
AFP - MAHMOUD KHALED
with agencies
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