The remarkable glories and marked innovation and intelligence of ancient Egypt continue being brought to the fore through the impressive and untiring efforts of archaeologists.
Recently, an ancient industrial zone was discovered in Luxor at the southern city’s West Valley - which is known as the Valley of the Monkeys.
Two archaeological discoveries were made at the Valley of the Monkeys which gave a refreshing insight into the industrial workings of ancient Egypt. 30 workshops in the industrial area were discovered, and the area "composed of houses for storage and the cleaning of the funerary furniture with many potteries dated to Dynasty 18." Workers made their living in these zones and also found their residence there. This is in the West Valley.
At the forefront of these excavations was leading and well-known Egyptologist Zahi Hawass in Luxor. A team from the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has been working in the Valley of the Monkeys since 2017.
What the archaeologists unearthed shows that the manufacturing area contains a deep cut and a water storage tank that had been used by workers. It is "fronted by an oven that once used for clay and pottery burning." Archaeologists also found a scarab ring, hundreds of inlay beads and golden objects that were used to decorate royal coffins and some inlays known as the wings of Horus. The Ministry of Antiquities said that these artifacts were used "in the decorating of wooden coffins." This means that there was a workshop which made coffins.
A tomb was also discovered a tomb in Luxor's East Valley which is also known as the Valley of Kings. At this site they found evidence showing "the tools that the ancient Egyptians used to construct a royal tomb," as was said by Hawass.
In the Western Valley a royal tomb was also found, and it has been named KV 65. A number of tools left behind by workmen were sighted and these give an implication that these are "the tools that the ancient Egyptians used to construct a royal tomb." Hieroglyphs were also found.
Because of the fact that the 18th Dynasty embraced the idea of burying female members of the royal family in Luxor, many historians argue that more and more tombs can be found in this area.
Digging in the Luxor area has been going on for the longest time now, for about a century, and still more and more evidence continues to be unearthed showing the civilization of ancient Egypt. It is fascinating and intriguing, clearly showing how brilliant and intelligent the ancient Egyptian civilization was. One can easily remark that due to some of their technological advancements and cultural practices, they were simply ahead of their time.
Tourism in Egypt has been affected by the prevailing political instability in the country, and it is hoped that these discoveries will stir a revival in Egypt's tourism sector.
After all, there is always endless yet enlightening information to learn and absorb from the findings of ancient Egypt. Their impressive glories will always be etched in history books.
Header image credit - Reuters