Discovery of a Cemetery in the Sheikh Abd al-Qurna Area in Western Luxor

The Dutch archaeological mission working in the Theban necropolis, led by Dr. Karina van den Hoff of Leiden University, has uncovered a tomb in the Lower Sheikh Abd el-Qurna area of the West Bank in Luxor, during its current excavation season at the site.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy praised the efforts of archaeological missions operating in Egypt, emphasizing that they contribute to uncovering more secrets of ancient Egyptian civilization, thereby enhancing Egypt’s status as a global destination.

For his part, Dr. Hesham al-Liethi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, clarified that the discovered tomb is located east of Theban Tomb No. 45. The team has been implementing a research and field project since 2018, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, with the aim of carrying out preventive conservation and risk management programs in the area, alongside preparing the first comprehensive archaeological study of the site. This initiative aligns with the Ministry’s role in preserving and safeguarding antiquities for future generations.

He added that an analysis of the tomb’s inscriptions revealed that it belonged to an individual named “Paser.” Based on the artistic style of the tomb’s reliefs, it is likely that the tomb dates back to the Ramesside period.

The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities confirmed that the team will continue its study and documentation work inside the tomb, with the goal of identifying the individuals buried there and reconstructing their biographies, as well as studying the tomb within its historical and archaeological context. This will contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between the tombs in the area and their surrounding environment, shedding light on the historical and cultural development of Lower Sheikh Abd el-Qurna.

For his part, Mohamed Abdel Badi, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that the tomb’s architectural layout conforms to the standard style of individual tombs in Thebes during the New Kingdom. It consists of an outer courtyard, a rock-cut chamber in the shape of an inverted “T,” and burial chambers located underground.

He added that the tomb’s courtyard contains several well-preserved architectural elements, including a mudbrick bench with a recess in the center designed to hold a funerary stela, as well as a staircase flanked by embankments on both sides leading to the tomb’s entrance.

He noted that the tomb features several scenes bearing the name of its owner, “Paser.” A thin layer of dust covers parts of the colored wall paintings, which depict him worshipping before various deities within shrines, as well as scenes showing him with his wife before an offering table.

For her part, Dr. Karina van den Hoff, head of the mission from Leiden University, confirmed that the mission will begin structural reinforcement, maintenance, and restoration work on the tomb’s colored decorations in the coming seasons. She expressed her hope to continue work at the site and achieve further archaeological discoveries in future seasons.