Archaeologists Find 2,800-Year-Old Sarcophagus of an Ancient Court Advisor

Archaeologists in Luxor have found an exquisitely decorated, millennia-old sarcophagus near the pharaonic temple of Thutmose III that still contains the remains of its ancient owner. The discovery is the most recent to emerge from the Spanish Thutmosis III Temple Project excavation, which since 2008 has explored the 18th Dynasty pharaoh’s funerary complex, situated along the west bank of the Nile. But the sarcophagus likely dates to the early dynasties of the Third Intermediate Period (1070–712 BCE) and has no immediate connection to Thutmose III, who reigned between 1479 and 1425 BCE.

The archeologists have since removed the sarcophagus from its tomb and brought it to a lab, where it will undergo restoration. The team also plans to carry out X-ray examinations to determine the exact state of the remains inside.

A decorated sarcophagus recently found by Spanish archaeologists near Luxor

Detail of a decorated sarcophagus recently found by Spanish archaeologists near Luxor

Archaeologists from Thutmosis III Temple Project treat the recently discovered sarcophagus.

Archaeologists from Thutmosis III Temple Project treat the recently discovered sarcophagus.

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