Archaeologists have unearthed an ancient Egyptian tomb with 11 sealed burials in Luxor’s South Asasif necropolis, near the Temple of Hatshepsut on the west bank of the Nile River. Announced by Egypt’s tourism and antiquities ministry, this significant discovery sheds new light on burial customs from the Middle Kingdom (1938–1630 BCE).
The joint Egyptian-American excavation team found coffins for men, women, and children within the tomb, which dates to Egypt’s 12th and early 13th dynasties. The evidence suggests it functioned as a family burial site across multiple generations. Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Ismail Khaled, shared that many coffins and linen wrappings had been destroyed by ancient floods, though valuable jewelry and artifacts were retrieved.
Among the finds, archaeologists identified a detailed necklace featuring 30 amethyst and two agate beads alongside a hippo-head amulet, items likely belonging to women interred in the tomb. Two copper mirrors were also discovered—one adorned with a lotus handle and another with designs of the goddess Hathor, who represented the sky, fertility, and love.
The discovery arrives just after the partial opening of Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids, showcasing some of Egypt’s most prized Pharaonic artifacts. Together with the tomb’s discovery, Egypt is keenly positioning its rich heritage to attract increased tourism, which remains a vital part of the nation’s economy.