The Ministry of Antiquities announced on Saturday the discovery of two pharaonic tombs in Dra’ Abu el-Naga’ located on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor. One of the tombs was newly discovered, while the other’s entrance was previously unearthed, but its remains were part of the latest find.
“Our ancestors, the pharaohs, are still doing their job in developing the country,” said Minister of Antiquities Khaled Al-Anany when announcing the discovery. “Through these discoveries, they are still giving us a hand in raising the Egyptian economy and reestablishing tourism, due to the positive impact they have internationally,” he added.
Al-Anany added that 2017 is the year of modern discoveries, especially in Luxor governorate.
The first discovered tomb, Kampp 161, is named after German archaeologist Fredericka Kampp, while the entrance to the other one, Kampp 150, was discovered in the 90s, yet no further excavation work was conducted at the site until this year.
The owner of Kampp 161 is not yet known and no identifying signs were found inside. However, it is believed that it dates back to the era between Amenhotep II and Thutmose IV of the 18th Dynasty. That is due to the style of manuscripts found carved on the tomb walls.
The tomb consists of a yard surrounded by walls, with a six-metre well inside. The manuscripts feature a male offering flowers to a dead man and his wife with the ancient Egyptian word for brother curved at the top of it. It is believed that the scene belongs to the brother of the tomb’s owner.
Two wooden masks were also discovered in the tomb, among other remains of furniture for funerals.
As for Kampp 150, it belongs to a member of the 17th or 18th dynasties. That is due to an inscription with the word Thutmose I found on the tomb’s walls. However, the name of the owner, specifically, was not detected.
Two wells were found inside the tomb, with another room, where a woman believed to be the owner’s mother, was buried.
