3000-year-old ‘golden city’ discovered in Egypt

A 3000 year old “golden city” has just been discovered in the southern city of Luxor. This is the most important find in Egypt since the tomb of the infant King Tutankhamun, according to archaeologists in a statement released Thursday.

It is believed that the Lost City, known as “The city of Aten”, Was founded by the king Amenhotep III, the ninth king of the 18th Dynasty, who ruled Egypt between 1391 and 1353 BC, the statement said. It is believed to be the largest administrative and industrial colony of the time, located on the west bank of Luxor.

“The discovery of this lost city is the second most important archaeological find since Tutankhamun’s tombSaid Betsy Brian, professor of Egyptology at Johns Hopkins University and member of the mission. The finding will allow a broader vision of “The life of the ancient Egyptians“When the empire was at its peak,” he said.

It is the latest in a series of archaeological finds made in recent months across the country, which provide a new understanding of the dynasties that ruled ancient Egypt. The government hopes that these results will strengthen the country’s very important tourism industry, hit in recent years by the coronavirus pandemic, attacks by Islamic militants and political instability.

It remains to be seen if it will capture the world’s imaginations as it did in the past. golden tutankhamun mask and other artifacts found since his tomb was discovered in the Valley of the Kings of Luxor in 1922.

Egyptologists applauded the discovery on social media last Thursday, calling it “extraordinary”And a valuable source of information to better understand the past civilizations of Egypt.

“Colonial archeology is extremely valuable for learning true historical facts and expanding our understanding of the life of the ancient Egyptians.Tweeted Paola Cartagena, a graduate student at the University of Manchester in Egyptology.

Archaeologists began excavating in September in the area between the temples of King Ramses III and Amenhotep III. The initial objective of the mission was to find the mortuary temple of King Tutankhamun, according to the statement.

“Within weeks, much to the team’s surprise, the characteristic mud brick formations began to appear in all directions.», Specifies the press release. “What they discovered was the site of a large city which remains in good condition, with almost complete walls and rooms full of tools for daily living.”

“The archaeological layers have (remained) intact for thousands of years, as if their former residents had abandoned them yesterday“, He said.

“Many foreign missions searched for this city and never found itSaid Zahi Hawass, Egyptian archaeologist and former minister of state.

The city was active during the reign of Amenhotep III and during his co-regency with his son, Amenhotep IV, also known as Akhenaten, Tutankhamun’s father. The city was then used by Tutankhamun and his successor, King Ay.

Hawass explained that the city’s streets are lined with houses, some of which have walls nearly 35 meters high.

The archaeological team dated the colony using hieroglyphic inscriptions found in wine jars, rings, beetles, pottery and clay bricks with the seals of King Amenhotep III.

So far, several enclaves of the city have been discovered. In the southern part, archaeologists found a bakery and a large kitchen equipped with ovens and pottery to store food.

In a third area, they found a workshop. The team found foundry molds to produce amulets and ornaments, apparently for temples and tombs.

“In all the areas excavated, the mission found many tools used in certain types of industrial activities such as spinning and weaving.The statement said, adding that metal and glass slag were also found.

In other parts of the city, the graves of two cows or bulls were found in a room. And in another region were the remains of a person, found with her arms outstretched at her sides and a rope wrapped around her knees. The team is investigating the two cases to learn more about social practices at the time.

A large cemetery was also found north of the city.

“Work is underway and the mission hopes to uncover intact tombs filled with treasures.The statement concluded.

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