It’s not the name of the last Indiana Jones movie. The lost city under the desert is a reality that surpasses fiction. The archaeological mission is led by former Egyptian minister of archeology, Zahi Hawass. The so-called Golden City was found near the city of Luxor. Discovered the largest and oldest city in the country.
Four thousand years ago
The city was built during the reign of Amenhotep III. The ninth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty ruled from 1391 to 1353 BC. The Golden City was considered the largest administrative and economic center of its time. “Many foreign archaeological missions searched this town unsuccessfully,” said Hawass.
The importance of the find is enormous. It is the second largest archaeological discovery after the tomb of Tutankhamun, which sheds light on various aspects of the life of the ancient Egyptians.
Buried surprise
The excavations began in the area between the temples of Ramses III in Medinat Abu and Amenhotep III. They looked for Tutankhamun’s burial temple. In the first few weeks of the excavation, they discovered fragments of brick walls. The mission was surprised.
There was a great city that was well preserved. It had almost complete fragments of walls and rooms with everyday objects. Hieroglyphic inscriptions on the wine glasses helped to date the find. These dates were confirmed by other discoveries at the archaeological site. There are rings, beetle sculptures, colored clay products, and bricks with Amenhotep III stamps on them.
After seven months of excavation, the administrative zone and residential areas appeared. Also a bakery, craft shops and much more.
Much more to discover
There is a large grave area in the north of the settlement. It is still being investigated. The city lost in the desert still has a lot to offer. Tombs carved in rocks of different sizes have already been discovered. Stairs drilled into the stones lead to them. It is the traditional type of tombs found in the Valley of the Kings and other necropolis near Luxor.
«The work continues. The mission hopes to find intact tombs full of treasures, “said the Egyptian ministry.
