Egypt today announced new archaeological discoveries – including tombs of high-ranking officials dating back 4,000 years and artifacts from the era of Queen Hatshepsut – at an ancient necropolis in the famous city of Luxor.

The findings, which came to light after a three-year excavation, were found in the area of ​​Deir al-Bahari, in the necropolis of Thebes, on the west bank of the Nile River.

The discoveries cover the period from the 15th Dynasty (1650-1550 BC) to the powerful 18th Dynasty (1550-1292 BC) which includes pharaohs such as Queen Hatshepsut and King Tutankhamun.

The team discovered one intact part of the structure of the temple of Queen Hatshepsutas well as artifacts mainly reliefs and inscriptions with vivid colors which have been preserved in remarkably good condition.

The 1,500 decorated boulders depict the queen and her successor, Thutmose III, performing religious rituals.

“These are the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen in my life,” said Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, who led the expedition in collaboration with Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

“This is the first time we have a final set of the decoration of an 18th Dynasty temple,” he told reporters.

The impressive wide ones

Under the foundations of the temple, archaeologists discovered an intact cache of ritual tools inscribed with the name of Queen Hatshepsut.

Among other things, tombs of high-ranking officials carved into the rock from the Middle Kingdom era were also discovered, as well as the tomb of Queen Tetiseri of the 17th Dynasty, grandmother of King Amos, who drove the Hyksos out of Egypt in 1530 BC.

Wells containing wooden coffins decorated with the emblem of the 17th dynasty as well as children’s tombs containing toys and parts of the Ptolemaic Asasif necropolis near the temple of Queen Hatshepsut were also discovered.

Today’s announcement comes as Egypt steps up efforts to restart the tourism sector, a vital source of foreign currency for the struggling economy.

After declining following the political unrest that followed the 2011 uprising, tourism has begun to recover in recent years.

Last year, Egypt welcomed 15.7 million tourists and hopes to attract 18 million visitors this year.