The Egyptian archaeological mission working in Dra Abu El-Naga on the west bank of Luxor has uncovered three tombs from the New Kingdom during the current excavation season at the site.

Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, described the discovery as a scientific and archaeological achievement that adds to the record of archaeological findings enhancing Egypt’s position on the global cultural tourism map. He added that these newly discovered tombs are among the areas that will significantly contribute to attracting more visitors, especially cultural tourism enthusiasts, due to their unique cultural and anthropological value.

The Minister emphasized that this discovery, made entirely by Egyptian hands, reflects the great capabilities of Egyptian archaeological professionals in achieving high-profile discoveries with international resonance.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, who inspected the discovery during a short visit to Luxor, explained that all three tombs date back to the New Kingdom. The names and titles of their owners were identified through the inscriptions found within. He noted that the mission will continue its cleaning and study work of the remaining inscriptions to further identify the tomb owners and to scientifically study and publish the excavation findings.

Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, pointed out that one of the tombs belongs to a person named Amun-Em-Ipet, who lived during the Ramesside period. He worked in a temple or estate of god Amun. He noted that most of the tomb’s scenes were destroyed, but the remaining ones depict offerings, a funerary furniture procession, and a banquet scene.

As for the second and third tombs, they date back to the 18th Dynasty. One belongs to a man named Baki, who worked as a supervisor of a grain silo, and the other to a man whose name is documented by the press release as “S”, who served as a supervisor at the Temple of Amun in the oases, the mayor of the northern oases, and a scribe.

Regarding the layout of the tombs, Dr. Abdel Ghafar Wagdy, Director General of Luxor Antiquities and head of the mission, stated that the tomb of Amun-Em-Ipet consists of a small courtyard, then an entrance, followed by a square hall that ends in a niche whose western wall was broken during a later reuse of the tomb to create another hall.

The tomb of Baki consists of a long courtyard resembling a corridor, then another courtyard leading to the main entrance of the tomb, followed by a transverse hall leading to a longitudinal hall that ends with an unfinished shrine containing a burial shaft.

The tomb of “S” consists of a small courtyard containing a shaft, then the main entrance, followed by a transverse hall leading to another incomplete longitudinal hall.