Hawass Announces Two New Archaeological Discoveries

Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities Dr. Khaled Al-Anani announced on Thursday two new archaeological discoveries carried out by an Egyptian expedition in the Valley of the Kings, known as the Valley of the Monkeys in Luxor, under the auspices of prominent archaeologist and Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass.

Dr. Hawass, head of excavation mission, said that the Egyptian expedition, which has been working in the Valley of the Monkeys since December 2017, has succeeded to uncover an industrial area there for the first time ever.

This area contains a deep cut that was given number KV (T) fronted by an oven that once used for clay and pottery burning and other archeological objects. Besides it, a tank KV(U) for the storage of water for the workmen to drink daily.

Finally, between KV(T) and KV(U), the Egyptian excavation team has found a scarab ring, hundreds of inlay beads and golden objects which were used to decorate royal coffins. Some of the inlays are known as the wings of Horus.

Moreover, he said that work is currently underway in the western valley to search for the tomb of Queen Nefertiti and the tomb of her daughter as well as the tomb of King Tutankhamun's wife Queen Ankhesenamun.

Additionally, the Egyptologist added that the area located between the tombs of King Amenhotep III and king Ay contains the tombs of the Amarna family.

The second crucial discovery is the uncovering of 30 workshops. They are composed of houses for storage and the cleaning of the funerary furniture with many potteries dated to the 18th dynasty.

In addition, the discovery of the tomb known as KV 65. Inside it were the tools used by ancient Egyptians to construct a royal tomb.

The prominent archaeologist said that the second expedition that is working in the East Valley is the largest excavation which has ever happened after world-famous British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter.

It is searching for tombs that have never been found before as well as those of the wives and sons of kings of the 18th dynasty buried in the Valley of the Kings since the queen’s valley did not start taking on burials except at the beginning of the 18th dynasty.

He also noted that the mission is working to unearth the tombs of King Amenhotep I and King Tuthmose II and Ramses VIII.

Dr. Hawass added that the mission has worked next to the tombs of King Ramses VII , Queen Hatshepsut and King Ramses III and behind King Merneptah's tomb.

He confirmed that the mission has excavated next to the tomb of King Tutankhamun and found many important artifacts set to be announced during the press conference, including forty-two small labor huts where workers were putting the tools they used to build the tombs before they left the valley to the monastery of the city.

In addition to many hieroglyphic paintings that will illustrate many important archaeological issues, as well as parts of inscribed tombs and rings from the era of Ramessides.