Full Breakdown
3,000-Year-Old Tomb of “Paser” Unearthed Near Luxor
7/13/2026, 12:30:58 PM
Discovery of the Tomb
On July 12, 2026, Egyptian authorities announced that a Dutch archaeological mission from Leiden University had uncovered a private New Kingdom tomb in the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna necropolis on Luxor’s West Bank. The tomb, identified by inscriptions bearing the name Paser, follows the classic layout of Theban private tombs: an open courtyard, an inverted-“T” rock-cut chapel, and underground burial chambers. Architectural elements such as a mud-brick bench for a funerary stela and a staircase flanked by ramps were found intact.
Project Background and Architectural Details
The Leiden team has been conducting a research and field project in the lower Sheikh Abd el-Qurna area since 2018, in cooperation with Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Specialists date the tomb to the Ramesside period (19th–20th dynasties) based on the artistic style of its wall paintings, which depict Paser worshipping deities and standing with his wife before an offering table. The courtyard’s preserved features and the chapel’s decorative scheme are consistent with private Theban tombs of the New Kingdom (c. 1570-1069 BC).
Official Statements
- Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the tomb lies east of Theban Tomb No. 45 and that the ongoing project aims to implement preventive conservation and produce the first comprehensive archaeological study of the area.
- Mohamed Abdel Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, confirmed that the tomb’s architectural layout matches customary New Kingdom private tomb designs.
- Dr Carina van den Hoven, head of the Leiden mission, said the team will begin structural consolidation and restoration of the colourful wall murals in upcoming seasons.
- Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, praised the missions for “uncovering further secrets of ancient Egyptian civilisation” and enhancing Egypt’s status as a global tourist destination.
Significance for Tourism and Archaeology
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities highlighted the find as part of a broader strategy to boost tourism, a major source of foreign currency. The tomb adds to a series of recent discoveries—including a renovated pharaonic tomb reopened to visitors—intended to attract visitors to Luxor’s world-renowned monuments.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the name Paser is clear, archaeologists have not yet determined his occupation, social rank, or the identities of those interred in the burial chambers. Further documentation and study are planned to fill these gaps and place the tomb within its wider historical context.
