This work was done in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
“It is a very important discovery because it provides a clearer understanding of the historical development of the Karnak Temples during the first millennium BCE,” asserted Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA.
He added that the jewellery pieces were found inside a small, broken pottery vessel, which was nevertheless complete. All the discovered pieces are in a remarkable state of preservation.
Abdel Ghaffar Wagdy, director general of Luxor antiquities and head of the mission from the Egyptian side, stated that the collection includes rings made of gold and other metals, small golden amulets, including a triad statue of the ancient Egyptian deities Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, a metallic brooch, amulets of deities in animal-shape, and numerous beads, some of which are gold-plated.
He confirmed that the team is currently working on the restoration and documentation of these artefacts, which will be displayed at the Luxor Museum.
Jérémy Hourdin, head of the mission from the French side, noted that the research team continues its excavation efforts north of Karnak Temple. This region has yielded numerous massive mudbrick structures dating back to the early 26th Dynasty, which are believed to have been used as production or storage facilities connected to Karnak Temple or other religious sites.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy praised this fruitful cooperation between the Egyptian and French teams. He emphasized that this discovery is part of a large-scale project within Karnak Temples, one of Egypt’s most significant ancient temple complexes. The project aims to develop the open-air museum area and enhance visitor services to improve the overall tourist experience.
As part of these efforts, the mission has updated visitor pathways in the museum, installed a new lighting system, and restored and reassembled the shrine of King Amenhotep I. This project contributes to transforming the site into an attractive destination for Egyptian and international visitors.
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