The Rich Archaeological Wonders of Luxor, Egypt

In Egypt, it suddenly seems like everything old is new again. The Tomb of Meru, the oldest archaeological site accessible to the public on Luxor’s West Bank, opened for visitors on Thursday, February 9. This remarkable site joins a growing list of local discoveries and displays offering a fresh look at an ancient world.

Meru was a high-ranking official during the 11th Dynasty under King Mentuhotep II, who ruled until 2004 BC. His tomb, located at the North Asasif necropolis, was constructed among grave sites for many of the Middle Kingdom’s most prominent royal court members.

The tomb, known to archaeologists since at least the mid-19th century, was restored by the Polish Centre for Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Warsaw in collaboration with Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

“This is the first site from such an early period in Western Thebes to be made accessible to visitors,” said Fathi Yassin, General Director of Antiquities in Upper Egypt.

Outdoor Artifacts

In 2021, Luxor’s 1.7-mile Avenue of the Sphinxes reopened to the public, following decades of renovations and excavations. This walkway connects the Karnak Temple, home to the grand Temple of Amun-Ra, to the Luxor Temple. This site is often regarded as the world’s greatest open-air museum due to the captivating presence of over 1,000 statues of sphinxes and rams creating an enthralling experience for visitors.

Marvelous Mummies

Explore Ancient Egypt while enjoying the comfort of climate control at Cairo’s National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Opened in 2017, this museum covers local history from prehistoric times to the present. In 2021, it became the new resting place for 22 royal mummies, including Ramses II, celebrated as the “great builder” of ancient Egypt.

A Mega Museum and More

If the Grand Egyptian Museum opens as promised in 2023, it will undoubtedly become a key attraction for history enthusiasts. This colossal institution is expected to house over 100,000 artifacts, including all 5,000 relics from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, presenting a phenomenal collection that appeals to those interested in ancient cultures.

Located just a couple of miles from the Pyramids of Giza, the museum is perfectly situated for history buffs. Additionally, it is only an hour’s drive from Saqqara, where archaeologists recently uncovered two ancient tombs and a gold leaf-covered mummy that had remained sealed in a sarcophagus for 4,300 years.

Saqqara is Egypt’s largest archaeological site, and Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities estimates that only a minuscule portion, about 1%, has been excavated to date. The Egyptian government aspires for these discoveries to revitalize the country’s tourism industry, which has faced challenges in recent years due to various global circumstances. The hope is that the secrets hidden in hieroglyphics will encourage travelers back to Egypt.