Ahmed Kamel – Archaeologists working near Luxor have uncovered the remains of a sprawling ancient city dating back roughly 3,400 years, a discovery described by experts as one of the most significant in Egyptian archaeology in recent decades. The site, often referred to as Egypt’s “lost golden city,” is providing an unprecedented view of everyday life during the height of the New Kingdom.
The settlement lies within the ancient capital of Thebes, on the west bank of the Nile near modern Luxor, and was first confirmed following systematic excavations. Researchers say the city was originally founded during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful rulers, and continued to be occupied into the period of his son, Akhenaten, the pharaoh known for his radical religious reforms.
Unlike many archaeological finds that focus on tombs and monumental structures, this newly uncovered city includes residential quarters, workshops, administrative buildings, and burial grounds, most of which have survived in remarkable condition. The layout and artifacts, including everyday pottery, tools, jewelry, and seals, offer archaeologists an unusually detailed picture of urban life, work, and governance during the 18th Dynasty.
Experts say the size and state of preservation of the city make it one of the most important discoveries since the tomb of Tutankhamun nearly a century ago, shedding light on how ordinary people lived, worked, and supported Egypt’s powerful centralized state. The site’s excavation has revealed bakery quarters with ovens and storage pottery, possible administrative districts enclosed by complex mudbrick walls, and areas dedicated to industrial production.
The city’s remains were found between the temples of Amenhotep III and Ramses III, suggesting it was once a thriving center of both political administration and economic activity. Archaeologists have also documented evidence that the settlement was reused by later rulers, underscoring its long-term significance within the ancient landscape of Thebes.
Scholars believe the discovery will help close longstanding gaps in understanding ancient Egyptian society, particularly the transition from traditional religious practices to Akhenaten’s short-lived theological revolution, and how centralized economic and industrial systems supported the empire at its peak.
As excavations continue, the site promises to yield further insights into daily life and governance in one of history’s most storied civilizations, deepening our grasp of both the mundane and the monumental facets of ancient Egyptian life.
