Archaeologists have discovered an ancient tomb decorated with colorful murals on the west bank of Luxor, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced. A Dutch archaeological mission from Leiden University found the tomb in the Sheikh Abdel-Qurna area during its current excavation season.
Dr. Karina van den Hoven of Leiden University leads the mission, which works in the Theban necropolis on Luxor’s west bank.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy praised the archaeological missions working across Egypt. He said their efforts help uncover more secrets of ancient Egyptian civilization and strengthen Egypt’s place as a top global destination.
Hisham El-Leithy, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the tomb sits just east of Theban Tomb 45. The mission has run a research and fieldwork project at the site since 2018, working alongside the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The project focuses on preventive conservation and risk management, along with preparing the first complete archaeological study of the area.
Tomb inscriptions identify ‘Paser’ and reveal new kingdom design
El-Leithy said inscriptions inside the tomb identify its owner as a man named “Paser.” Based on the artistic style of the carvings, the tomb most likely dates to the Ramesside period.
Researchers plan to continue studying and documenting the site. They hope to identify everyone buried there, rebuild their personal histories, and place the tomb within its broader historical and archaeological setting.
The work is also expected to shed light on how the Sheikh Abdel-Qurna area developed over time. Mohamed Abdel-Badie, head of the Egyptian antiquities sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, described the tomb’s design.
He said it follows the typical layout used for Tombs of the Nobles in Thebes during the New Kingdom. The tomb includes an outer courtyard, a rock-cut chapel shaped like an inverted T, and burial chambers below ground.
Ancient tomb’s layout, colorful murals, and restoration work in Luxor
Abdel-Badie said the courtyard still holds several well-preserved features. A mudbrick platform sits at its center, with a gap that once held a funerary stela. A staircase flanked by ramps on both sides leads up to the tomb’s entrance.
Several scenes inside bear Paser’s name. A thin layer of dust still covers parts of the colorful murals inside the ancient tomb in Luxor.
The paintings show Paser worshipping before several gods inside shrines. Another scene depicts him seated with his wife before an offering table.
Van den Hoven said the mission will begin structural reinforcement and restoration work on the tomb’s painted decorations in the coming seasons. She said she looks forward to continuing the team’s work at the site and making more discoveries in future excavation seasons.
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