They discover in Egypt the “lost golden city” of Luxor “Diario La Capital de Mar del Plata

An archaeological mission has discovered the “largest ancient city in Egypt”, more than 3,000 years old, near Luxor in southern Egypt, said archaeologist Zahi Hawass, director of the mission.

“The archaeological mission […] discovered a buried city […] which dates from the reign of King Amenophis III and which continued to be used by King Tutankhamun, that is to say 3,000 years ago, ”the archaeological mission said in a statement, according to the press agency AFP.

Amenophis III, who ascended to the throne in 1391 BC died in 1353 BC. In the city, jewelry and ceramic pieces bearing his seal were found, which confirmed the dating, the text said.

It is “the largest ancient city in Egypt”, according to Hawass, quoted in the press release.

The mission began its excavations in September 2020 between the temples of Ramses III and Amenophis III, near Luxor, about 500 km south of Cairo.

“Within a few weeks, to the team’s surprise, adobe training began to appear,” the statement said. The site is “in a good state of conservation, with almost entire walls and rooms full of tools of daily life”.

The find “of this lost city is the most important archaeological find since Tutankhamun’s tomb,” said Betsy Brian, professor of Egyptology at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, also quoted in the statement.

The newly discovered city will allow “to offer us an unusual global vision of the life of the ancient Egyptians during the most magnificent hours of the Empire. [Nuevo]”.

The city is made up of “three royal palaces […] and the administrative and manufacturing center of the Empire ”. In addition, archaeologists also found a “food preparation area” with a “bakery”, an “administrative district” and a construction “workshop”.

Two sculptures of “cows or bulls” and human remains were also found, which is “unusual”.

After years of political instability linked to the popular revolt of 2011, which dealt a major blow to tourism, a key sector, Egypt is trying to attract visitors, in particular by promoting its ancient heritage.

Last week, 22 floats carrying the mummies of the kings and queens of Egypt passed through central Cairo in a spectacular parade to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), where they will be on display.

Just a part of the city

The recently discovered remains near Luxor represent “only part” of a “lost city” more than 3,000 years old, said Egyptian authorities and archaeologist Zahi Hawas, who oversaw the excavation.

“We only found part of the city,” Hawas told AFP during a press briefing in the ancient city, located on the west bank of the Nile, before adding that “the city ​​stretches west and north “.

According to the archaeologist, the excavations, in the city buried under the sand for millennia, will continue for a few more years.

Egyptian archaeologists, who began investigations at this site in September 2020, found hundreds of ceramics, dried meat, wine, small statues and jewelry.

According to archaeologists, the city discovered dates from King Amenophis III, who ascended to the throne in 1391 BC The dating has been established by ceramic seals.

A series of clay brick walls, as well as streets that pass between constructions, are visible on the site.

In addition, a series of ceramics, jewelry and amulets found in the ruins were also on display on Saturday.

The discovery had already been announced Thursday in a press release from the archaeological mission.