Archaeologists discover 3,000-year-old lost Ancient Egyptian city
Katherine Hignett for Metro.co.uk
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Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a 3,000-year-old ‘Lost Golden City’ in Egypt.
The lost city was filled with artefacts from everyday life, as well as some unusual human and animal remains.
Archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass said researchers have long been searching for the city, which was the largest industrial settlement in the area at the time.
Dr Hawass, who led the archaeological mission, said researchers stumbled upon the find unexpectedly while they were investigating a structure thought to be King Tutankhamun’s mortuary temple.
The team were excavating the partially buried temple last September when they found rows of mud bricks leading in all directions.
They soon realised these were the walls of the largest ancient city ever discovered in Egypt.
‘Most important discovery’ since Tutankhamun
Betsy Brian, professor of Egyptology at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, said in a statement: ‘The discovery of this lost city is the second most important archaeological discovery since the tomb of Tutankhamun.’
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She added the discovery will give ‘a rare glimpse’ into the life of Ancient Egyptians in the wealthiest period in the empire’s history.
The city was founded during the reign of king Amenhotep III: a period of great prosperity and international influence.
It continued to be used by Egypt’s most famous pharaoh, Tutankhamun.
Dr Hawass said: ‘The city’s streets are flanked by houses, which some of their walls are up to three metres (10 feet) high.
‘We can reveal that the city extends to the west, all the way to the famous Deir el-Medina.’
Deir el-Medina was a village home to the artisans who worked on the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun and many other famous pharoahs were buried.
Palaces, businesses and homes
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Researchers said the city, which is built around three royal palaces, is in a good state of preservation, with nearly-complete walls and lots of artefacts from everyday life.
The team found rings, scarab ornaments, wine vessels, coloured pottery and mud bricks inscribed with glyphs referring to King Amenhotep III.
In the southern part of the city, they discovered a bakery and a large kitchen likely used to cater for workers.
Another residential district remains partially uncovered. It is home to large units like used for domestic living, fenced off by a zigzag wall and accessible through only one entrance. Archaeologists said this may have been a security measure.
A third area of the city was home to a workshop that produced mud bricks. Researchers found a large number of casting moulds likely used to create amulets and other intricate decorative objects.
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The researchers found tools that may have been used for spinning and weaving across the city. They found some evidence of metal and glass-making, but have yet to discover where in the city these goods were made.
The team also discovered human and animal remains in the city. They found two cows or bulls under one of the rooms, as well as an unusually-positioned human skeleton.
The person’s arms were stretched out to the side, and a rope was tied around their knees.
Researchers will continue to probe the city to learn more about its history.
They think that further excavations into a cemetery to the north of the settlement will uncover tombs that could be home to vast amounts of treasure.
