Ancient cemetery dating back 18th dynasty unearthed in Luxor

CAIRO - 9 September 2017: A new cemetery dating back to the 18th dynasty (1549/1550 BC to 1292 BC) was unearthed in Luxor, Upper Egypt, said Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anani in a press conference on Saturday.

The cemetery, which was for an ancient gold merchant, contains a number of coffins of him, his wife and his son. It also houses a large well at a depth of 8 meters, as well as artifacts, pottery vessels, and Oshabati statues and equipments of the famous Pharaonic gold trader.


Head of Luxor Aniquities Mostafa Wazizi looks to contents of the newly discovered tomb- Press photo


‘’The new discovered cemetery has taken the archaeologists to the entrances of new tombs that are about to be discovered in the future,’’ recounted Mostafa El Waziri the head of Luxor Antiquities sector during the conference.



Minister of Aniquities Khaled Anani examines mummies inside the newly discovered tomb- press photo

Waziri said that he is confident that the new cemetery, which locates in the western bank in Luxor, will be stronger and more historic than the "Osrahat cemetery," which was announced in April. The number of Oshabati statues discovered are about 1,400 statues in addition to mummies and masks belonging to the owner of the cemetery plated with different colors stressing that it would be a big surprise.

The press conference was attended in addition to the minister by Governor of Luxor Mohamed Badr, Mostafa Waziri, a large number of foreign and Egyptian media, and the Ambassador of the State of Cyprus and some parliament members.


Ministry of Antiquities announce discovery of new tomb in Luxor- Ahmed Marei




Head of Luxor Antiquities Sector examines a sarcophagus inside a newly discovered cemetery- Press photo




Minister of Aniquities Khaled Anani beside mummies inside the newly discovered tomb- press photo




Head of Luxor Antiquities Sector examines a sculpture inside a newly discovered cemetery- Press photo