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Wooden Coffins, Ostraca, Ancient Mudbrick Wall Unearthed in Luxor

Ali Abo Dashish _ Ahmed Emam Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has revealed two significant archaeological discoveries in Luxor, following a visit by Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, who inspected the progress of ongoing excavation and restoration projects in the ancient city. During his visit, Dr. Khaled toured the newly restored Southern Chapels of the Akh-Menou temple at Karnak, a project completed in cooperation with the Egyptian-French Center for the Study of the Temples of Karnak (CFEETK). The chapels, now open to visitors for the first time, represent a major step in the ministry's efforts to expand cultural tourism and enhance visitor access to previously closed archaeological sites. In his remarks, Dr. Khaled hailed the French-Egyptian collaboration and emphasized the project's importance in preserving Egypt's rich heritage. The restoration involved structural and fine conservation work, detailed documentation of religious scenes, and efforts to improve accessibility for visitors, including special ramps for people with disabilities. According to Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, cleaning efforts within the Southern Chapels unveiled vivid scenes showing royal rituals dedicated to the god Amun. The walls of the main corridor depict the "Heb Sed" festival—an ancient jubilee celebration—held by Pharaoh Thutmose III. A lengthy foundation inscription describes the structure as a 'temple of millions of years,' dedicated to Amun-Ra and the deities of Karnak. In turn, Dr. Abdel-Ghaffar Wagdy, Director of Luxor Antiquities and co-director of CFEETK from the Egyptian side, highlighted the high preservation state of the chapels. Much of the structure's walls and ceilings remain intact, and many of the vibrant wall paintings retain their original brilliance, making it one of Karnak's best-preserved monuments. In addition to restoration efforts, Dr. Khaled visited excavation sites where Egyptian archaeological teams have made remarkable discoveries. At Al-Asasif in the Qurna area, archaeologists uncovered a collection of small, undecorated wooden coffins, believed to belong to children. The coffins were found in poor condition. A specialist in human osteology and ancient wood is expected to analyze the remains to determine the coffins' date, as well as the age, gender, and cause of death of the individuals, shedding light on burial practices in the area. Mohamed Abdel-Badie noted that the team also discovered several ostraca—inscribed pottery and limestone fragments—alongside two partially damaged conical seal impressions bearing the title 'Supervisor of the House, Khonsu.' A shaft nearby contained blue faience shabti figurines, and a chamber with a central column showed traces of plaster, although it lacked inscriptions. Meanwhile, in the Nag' Abu Asba area near Karnak, another Egyptian mission uncovered the remains of a massive mudbrick wall dating back to the reign of King Menkheperre, a ruler from Egypt's 21st Dynasty. Each brick was stamped with the king's name and that of his queen. The site also revealed a sandstone gate, multiple workshops, and industrial installations, including furnaces for casting bronze statues and several Osirian bronze figurines of various sizes. Among the most significant finds at the site was a large beer-making facility, which archaeologists believe points to the area's role as an industrial zone in ancient times. Numerous tools, amulets, and coins were also found, offering new insights into the economic and religious life of the period. These discoveries, according to the Supreme Council of Antiquities, reinforce Luxor's position as a living museum and continue to deepen the global understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization. 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