Archaeologists discover three long-lost Egyptian tombs dating back more than 3,500 years
They've been hidden for more than 3,000 years, well before the time of Jesus Christ.
But now, remarkable new excavations finally uncover three long-lost tombs from ancient Egypt.
'Made by pure Egyptian hands', the tombs were unearthed in the archaeological site of Dra Abu el-Naga on the Luxor West Bank.
According to experts, they date back to Egypt's prosperous New Kingdom period – which spanned three dynasties from 1550-1070 BC.
Excitingly, the experts have managed to identify the names and titles of the tomb owners through inscriptions found within.
They belonged to three adult males who were not royals, but had important roles in daily Egyptian life, they say.
Also found were several ancient Egyptian artifacts, including tools and miniature mummy figures.
Located near the famous Valley of the Kings, Dra Abu el-Naga is known to have been a resting place for high officials, supervisors and scribes.
In a translated statement posted on Facebook, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said the graves belonged to 'senior statesmen'.
'Completion of the excavation and cleaning works [will] get to know the owners of these graves more deeply,' the statement said.
Following further study, archaeologists will 'publish these graves scientifically' – so likely in a peer-reviewed research paper.
One of the Luxor tombs belonged to a man called Amum-em-Ipet, dating to around the 19th or 20th dynasties (collectively known as the Ramesside period).
According to experts, Amum-em-Ipet worked in the temple or estate of Amun, the revered ancient Egyptian god of the air and fertility.
His tomb was mostly destroyed and what remained were depictions of the funeral furniture carriers and a banquet.
Amum-em-Ipet´s tomb begins with a small courtyard leading to an entrance and then a square hall ending with a niche, whose western wall was destroyed.
The two other tombs date back to the 18th Dynasty and include one belonging to a man named Baki, who served as a supervisor of a grain silo (a structure used for storing large quantities of grain).
What is Dra Abu el-Naga?
Dra Abu el-Naga is an important archaeological site in the Luxor West Bank, Egypt.
It stretches from the mouth of the Valley of the Kings on the north to the entrance of the valley leading to el-Asasif and Deir el-Bahri in the south.
Excavations suggest it was not a burial place for royals, although prominent people were laid to rest there, such as statesmen.
Source: Penn Museum/Explore Luxor
The 18th dynasty, part of the period of Egyptian history known as the New Kingdom, is considered among the most prosperous years of Ancient Egypt, reigning for more than 200 years – circa 1539 to 1292 BC.
Baki´s tomb has a courtyard leading to the main entrance of the tomb as well as another long corridor-like courtyard.
The third tomb contains the burial of an individual simply named 'S,' who held multiple roles, according to experts.
S was a supervisor at the Temple of Amun, a writer, and the mayor of the northern oases - a fertile area of desert good for plant growth and animal habitats.
While an impressive amount of detail has been garnered from inscriptions, further study of the etchings is needed to gain an even deeper understanding of the tombs' owners, according to authorities.
The ministry described the discovery as a significant scientific and archaeological achievement that 'strengthens Egypt's position on the map'.
Dra Abu el-Naga is one of the areas poised to greatly boost cultural tourism and attract more visitors with an interest in Egypt´s rich heritage.
Despite how long they've been around, historical monuments are still constantly being uncovered in Egypt.
Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said: 'Completion of the excavation and cleaning works [will] get to know the owners of these graves more deeply'
Earlier this year, experts announced the discovery of the tomb of King Thutmose II, the pharaoh of Egypt 's 18th dynasty who lived and ruled nearly 3,500 years ago.
A series of subtle clues that led archaeologists to confirm his resting place King Thutmose II, solving 'a great mystery of ancient Egypt.
In January, Egypt made several discoveries near the famed city of Luxor, including ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts dating back 3,600 years, unearthed at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut´s funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri on the Nile´s West Bank.
And late last year, Egyptian and American archaeologists excavated an ancient tomb with 11 sealed burials near Luxor.
The tomb, which dates to the Middle Kingdom, was found in the South Asasif necropolis, next to the Temple of Hatshepsut.
The joint Egyptian-American excavation found coffins for men, women and children, suggesting that it was a family tomb used for several generations.
WHAT IS EGYPT'S VALLEY OF THE KINGS?
The Valley of the Kings in upper Egypt is one of the country's main tourist attractions and is the famous burial ground of many deceased pharaohs.
It is located near the ancient city of Luxor on the banks of the river Nile in eastern Egypt - 300 miles (500km) away from the pyramids of Giza, near Cairo.
The majority of the pharaohs of the 18th to 20th dynasties, who ruled from 1550 to 1069 BC, rested in the tombs which were cut into the local rock.
The royal tombs are decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology and give clues as to the beliefs and funerary rituals of the period.
Almost all of the tombs were opened and looted centuries ago, but the sites still give an idea of the opulence and power of the Pharaohs.
The most famous pharaoh at the site is Tutankhamun, whose tomb was discovered in 1922.
Preserved to this day, in the tomb are original decorations of sacred imagery from, among others, the Book of Gates or the Book of Caverns.
These are among the most important funeral texts found on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs.
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