Rare plaque, 4-meter-deep furnace & a house dating back to the Roman era discovered in Luxor

CAIRO – 24 February 2022: On February 24, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, announced the discovery of a 4-meter-deep furnace in the excavations of the Andraus Palace located in the vicinity of the Luxor Temple area, as well as a two-story house dating back to the Roman period.

Waziri at the excavations site in Luxor - Press photo

Waziri said, during his visit to Luxor Temple, that the new discovery is a 4-meter-deep furnace. He explained that for the first time in Upper Egypt such a furnace is discovered. The furnace is believed to be used to smelt metals. 

Moreover, Waziri further stated that it was expected that the excavations in that region would result in new discoveries dating back to the Roman era, because the region had not been excavated before.

As for the discovered house, Waziri says that parts of a two-storey house appeared with clear stairs and walls dating back to the Roman era. Excavations are continuing with the implementation of reinforcement operations to reach the rooms of the house below the excavation area in the Luxor Temple, where the Andraus Palace is located.

Part of the discoveries - Press Photo

According to Waziri, excavations will resume in that area over the next month and is expected to yield new discoveries.

In addition, Waziri explained that during the excavations, a rare offering plaque inscribed with King Thutmose IV and King Amenhotep II was also discovered. It is the first plaque of its kind depicting  offering scenes from Thutmose IV and King Amenhotep II, providing incense and pouring water before the deity Amun on the throne.

Part of the discoveries - Press Photo

Offering vessels and a plaque from the Ptolemaic period belonging to King Ptolemy III were also found, in addition to a bowl of granite and a large amount of wheat and lentils.

A reused offering table was also discovered, which is believed to be the entrance to a shrine or temple. A part of it remained that was made as a basin in which offerings of milk or water were placed.