First uncovered in the 1970s, the tomb has now been attributed to a high-ranking official named Amun-Mes, who served as Mayor of ancient Thebes during the Ramesside Period.
The discovery was made by a collaborative team from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and the University of Ontario. It marks a significant step forward in understanding the lives of elite officials in ancient Egypt.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy hailed the announcement as a notable addition to the record of joint Egyptian-international archaeological missions, emphasising the value of continued cooperation with global academic institutions.
Fathy described the find as a meaningful contribution to Egypt's cultural tourism narrative and reiterated the government's support for archaeological research.
Although the tomb has been known for decades, its occupant remained unidentified until recent excavations shed new light.
According to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, this is the first mission to conduct fieldwork inside the tomb since its discovery. The team was able to confirm the identity of the tomb's owner and several of his titles, including his position as Mayor of Thebes.
Archaeologists have also noted similarities between inscriptions found across the West Bank and the titles attributed to Amun-Mes, such as "King's Adviser," "God's Father of Amun," "Tax Collector," and "Head of Quarry Services" for King Ramses IV's expedition to Wadi Hammamat. However, experts caution that further study is needed to determine whether all these references pertain to the same individual.
Casey L. Kirkpatrick, who leads the Canadian side of the mission, said the team will continue its excavation and analysis to deepen understanding of the tomb's owner and his historical context. She expressed hope that future seasons would clarify unanswered questions about Amun-Mes's identity and status.
On the other hand, Abdel-Ghaffar Wajdi, head of the Egyptian team, noted signs that the tomb had been reused in later periods. Among the discoveries were remnants of colored plaster covering limestone inscriptions, fragments of the original entrance, and parts of funerary items such as ushabti figurines.
Architecturally, the tomb is carved into the rock and follows the T-shaped layout typical of Ramesside-era tombs. It includes an open courtyard bordered by mudbrick walls on three sides. The tomb also has remains of a large mudbrick pylon to the east and two niches flanking the entrance. Inside, the structure features a vestibule leading to the burial chamber and contains rock-carved statues within the transverse hall and sanctuary.
The mission continues its work on-site to document further the tomb's inscriptions and structural elements and unlock more stories from one of ancient Egypt's most historically rich regions.
Short link: