Charlene D.By
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Archeology

Archeologists Unearth 3,000-year-old “Lost Golden City” in Egypt

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Archeologists have discovered a city lost under sand called the “Lost Golden City” in Luxor, Egypt. In a statement by lead archeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass on Thursday, he revealed details of what is said to be “the second most important archeological discovery since the tomb of Tutankhamun.”’





The city, known as Aten, is believed to have been established during the reign of King Amenhotep III. King Amenhotep III is the ninth pharaoh of Egypt’s eighteenth dynasty, who ruled from 1391 to 1353 B.C.

According to the mission, the excavation area is sandwiched between Rameses III’s temple at Medinet Habu and Amenhotep III’s temple at Memnon. The mission started working in this area in search of Tutankhamun’s Mortuary Temple.



Location of the excavation site, photo courtesy of Dr. Zahi Hawass

Weeks into the excavation, which started on September 2020, the mission saw formations of mud bricks beginning to appear in all directions. The mission stated that the site of the large city is in a good condition of preservation with almost complete walls and rooms filled with tools of daily life.



Rings, scarabs, colored pottery vessels, and mud bricks bearing seals of King Amenhotep III’s cartouche confirm the dating of the city. After months, the mission was also able to unearth other parts of the neighborhood, including a bakery and a food preparation area, complete with storage potteries and ovens, signifying that it catered to a large number of employees and workers.
Archeologists also identified the residential and administrative district, production areas, tools used in industrial activities such as spinning and weaving, and tombs of different sizes.



Related: Archaeologists Discovers Mummy with Gold Tongue in Egypt

The discovery of the Lost City, not only will give us a rare glimpse into the life of the Ancient Egyptians at the time where the Empire was at his wealthiest – Betsy Brian, Professor of Egyptology, Johns Hopkins University




Brian added that the discovery will also provide answers to one of history’s greatest mysteries: why did Akhenaten & Nefertiti decide to move to Amarna? The city was abandoned and the capital relocated to Amarna. But was it? And why? And was the city repopulated again when Tutankhamun returned to Thebes? These are just some of the questions the archeologists are hoping to shed light on what really happened 3, 500 years ago as the mission continues.

SOURCE: Dr. Zahi Hawass



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