At the Southern Chapels of the Akh Menu Temple within the Karnak temple complex, a restoration project, undertaken in partnership with the Egyptian-French Centre for the Study of Karnak Temples (CFEETK), has been completed.
This is a major milestone in heritage conservation, opening an important ceremonial area to the public for the first time.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), described the restoration as a “crucial achievement” to expand access to lesser-known archaeological sites and diversify Egypt’s cultural tourism offerings.
“The restoration of the Southern Chapels not only preserves a remarkable part of ancient Egyptian architecture but also enriches the visitor experience by showcasing inscriptions and rituals that have remained hidden for centuries,” he said.
The chapels, located to the right of the temple’s main entrance, comprise seven interconnected shrines and two large columned chambers.
The walls retain vividly coloured religious scenes, including depictions of King Thutmose III performing offerings to Amun, celebrations of his Heb Sed jubilee festival, and a lengthy foundation inscription declaring the site a “Temple of Millions of Years.”
Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the SCA, Mohamed Abdel-Badie, pointed out that the cleaning efforts revealed critical inscriptions that add to the understanding of the religious function of the chapels during the New Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Abdel-Ghaffar Wagdy, Director General of Luxor Antiquities and the Egyptian co-director of the CFEETK, noted improvements in site accessibility, including new informational signage and visitor ramps for people with disabilities.
The Akh Menu Temple, originally constructed during the reign of Thutmose III, played a pivotal role in the worship of Amun-Re at Karnak.
Experts praise the Southern Chapels for their exceptional state of preservation, with significant portions of walls and ceilings still intact and their artwork retaining striking clarity and colour.
In the necropolis of Asasif in Qurna on Luxor’s West Bank, and at the site of Nagaa Abu Asaba near Karnak both yielding noteworthy finds.
In Asasif, archaeologists uncovered a group of small undecorated wooden coffins believed to belong to children, most in poor condition. Future analysis by specialists in osteology and ancient woodworking is expected to provide deeper insight into the period and demographics of the burials.
The excavation also revealed ostraca (inscribed pottery shards and limestone fragments), two partially damaged conical seals bearing the name “Supervisor of the House Khonsu,” a well containing miniature faience ushabti figurines, and an unadorned columned chamber with remnants of plasterwork.
At Nagaa Abu Asaba, the Egyptian team unearthed a massive mudbrick enclosure wall dating to the reign of Menkheperre, a 21st Dynasty king. Uniquely, each brick bears stamped impressions of the king’s name and that of his wife. A sandstone gateway, along with workshops, bronze statue molds, Osirian figurines, amulets, and a substantial beer-brewing facility, suggest the site once functioned as an industrial complex.
“These discoveries offer a fascinating glimpse into the economic and religious life of ancient Thebes,” said Wagdy. “They demonstrate the sophistication of both ceremonial and industrial infrastructure in antiquity.”
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities continues to prioritize archaeological research and site development across the country, aiming not only to safeguard Egypt’s immense cultural legacy but also to invigorate its global tourism appeal.
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