This discovery dates back to the zenith of Ancient Egyptian kings such as Tutankhamen and Ramses II.
Archaeologists have just discovered an Ancient Egyptian tomb in the southern city of Luxor, containing a number of remarkably well-preserved corpses.
Despite the fact that the mausoleum’s contents were discovered in excellent condition, researchers estimate that the tomb dates back nearly 4,000 years.
According to History, two sarcophagi containing corpses in near-perfect condition were discovered within the tomb. Both coffins were discovered within the same mausoleum in the necropolis of El-ssasif.
Al-ssasif is situated between the regal monuments in the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings. It was a burial ground for nobles and officials who worked closely with the pharaohs.
In one sarcophagus, researchers discovered a female cadaver possibly named Thuya. According to a ministry official’s statement, the female’s identity is still being investigated, but the corpse is believed to be approximately 3,000 years old.
Archaeologists believe that the second sarcophagus contains the corpse of Thaw-Irkhet-if, the priest who oversaw the mummification of a number of pharaohs at the Temple of Mut in Karnak.
“One sarcophagus was rishi-style, which belongs to the 17th dynasty, and the other was from the 18th dynasty,” Minister of Antiquities Dr. Khaled El-Elany stated.
The tomb dates back to the 18th dynasty, which lasted from approximately 1550 B.C. to 1300 B.C. The 18th dynasty produced several well-known pharaohs, including Tutankhamen and Ramses II.
The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri said on Nov. 24 that the discovery of the tomb and sarcophagi was made by the archaeological team that’s been working at this particular site since March 2018.
This discovery comes after the Egyptian government’s announcement of a series of upcoming archaeological discoveries, meant to attract tourism to the country.
Earlier in November, El-Elany stated that there would be three major archaeological discoveries set to be announced before the end of 2018.
The Egyptian government reportedly hopes that discoveries such as this one and the others that have already been announced will help improve the country’s image and bring in more visitors.
Following 2011’s Arab Spring political uprising, which saw widespread violence and the eventual overthrow of the Egyptian government, the nation naturally saw a decrease in tourism.
But with these discoveries, Egyptian officials believe that they might be able to inspire an increase in Egyptian tourism once again.
Although other tombs have been uncovered as a part of this project, this is the first time that Egyptian authorities have opened an ancient sarcophagus in front of the international media.
With a discovery as historic as this one, the Egyptian government could very well get the positive media attention they’re striving for, and the country may indeed become a H๏τ tourist destination once again.