Egypt, in Luxor Zahi Hawass discovers 1,500 decorated blocks and the remains of the temple of Hatshepsut

A joint archaeological mission led by the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities and Heritage and the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt has made obvious discoveries near the processional ramp of Hatshepsut’s funerary temple at Deir El-Bahari in Luxor. The findings present new perspectives on the transition from the Middle Kingdom period to the apogee of the 18th Dynasty (1550-1292 BCE) and shed light on both the Hyksos period and its impact on the history of ancient Egypt. In particular, the findings illustrate funerary practices, artistic techniques, and the crucial role of the temple of Hatshepsut as a symbol of power and cultural innovation. Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Ismail Khaled announced that the revelations mark the first major archaeological find of 2025. Among the findings are carved blocks depicting Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, still decorated with bright colors. Khaled said these artifacts, an example of the artistry of the period, will soon be on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Zahi Hawass, Egyptologist and head of the mission, also highlighted the discovery of several sarcophagi dating back to the 17th dynasty (1580 B.C.-1550 B.C.). Prominent among them is that of Djehuty Mes, a high official in the service of Queen Tetisheri, Ahmose’s grandmother. The simplicity of the tomb, while belonging to a prominent figure, considers the economic difficulties of the time marked by the prolonged conflicts against the Hyksos. Hawass also pointed out the presence of military artifacts, such as arrowheads, perhaps used during battles against foreign invaders.

“I announced the discovery of more than 1,500 blocks with beautiful colorful scenes with cartouches of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III. We now have the complete program of Hatshepsut’s valley funerary temple, and we have found the temple’s foundation deposit and evidence that Thutmose III restored this temple. These findings are the first major royal discoveries since the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb,” said the Egyptologist.

Deputy head of the mission, Tarek El Awady, described additional discoveries, including the remains of the Valley Temple of Hatshepsut and more than a thousand blocks decorated with bas-reliefs and inscriptions. These include limestone and quartzite tablets bearing the queen’s cartouches, along with a rare inscription mentioning Senmut, a well-known architect in Hatshepsut’s service. According to El Awady, the temple’s intact foundations, the first of such magnitude since the work of Herbert L. Winlock a century ago, are a key contribution to understanding the queen’s architecture and legacy. In addition, among the most fascinating findings is the discovery of ancient necropolises, hidden beneath Hatshepsut’s temple, dating back to the Middle Kingdom. Although many of them have been despoiled, archaeologists have recovered ritual objects such as ceramic offerings, food models and votive tables, which offer a glimpse into the funerary customs of the time. But that’s not all: the mission unearthed wooden sarcophagi, known as Rishi coffins, and a woven wooden bed, still well preserved, dating from the transition between the 17th and 18th dynasties. Among the finds is a sarcophagus containing the remains of a child bound with ropes, emblematic of ritual practices that are still partly enigmatic. The objects, along with other finds, affirm the role of the necropolis guardians during the wars to liberate Egypt from the Hyksos.

Photo by Sayed Sheashaa, Reuters/Contrasto

Egypt, in Luxor Zahi Hawass discovers 1,500 decorated blocks and the remains of the temple of Hatshepsut

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