In a remarkable archaeological breakthrough, Egyptian researchers have unearthed a 3,500-year-old tomb in the Draa Abul Nagaa necropolis near the famed Valley of the Kings, revealing eight mummies, ten colorful wooden coffins, and more than 1,000 funerary statues in what officials describe as an exceptionally rich find.
The tomb belonged to Userhat, a nobleman who served as a city judge during Egypt’s New Kingdom period, roughly between 1,500 and 1,000 B.C. Discovered during ongoing excavations, the site offers a vivid window into ancient Egyptian burial practices and the efforts made to safeguard the dead amid widespread tomb-robbing.
Egyptian archaeologists have discovered six mummies, colourful wooden coffins and more than 1,000 funerary statues in a 3,500-year-old tombCredit: EPA
The tomb, discovered in the Draa Abul Nagaa necropolis near the famed Valley of the Kings, is not fully excavated yet
Skulls are found by Egyptian archaeologists at the tomb of UserhatCredit: Reuters
The mysterious death vault from roughly 1,500 to 1,000 B.C belonged to a nobleman named Userhat who worked as the city judge, the Antiquities Ministry said in a statement.
Head of the archaeological mission, Mostafa el-Waziri, said: “There are 10 coffins and eight mummies. The excavation is ongoing.”
The tomb comprised an open courtyard leading to two halls, one containing four ancient coffins and the other including a chamber that houses six.
An Egyptian archaeologist documents the content of the tomb of Userhat, a judge from the New Kingdom at the Dra Abu-el Naga necropolis near the Nile city of LuxorCredit: Reuters
The mysterious death vault belonged to a nobleman named UserhatCredit: Reuters
More than 1,000 funerary statues were found in a 3,500-year-old tombCredit: Getty Images
A member of an Egyptian archaeological team holds up one of the artefactsCredit: Getty Images
An archaeologist works on a wooden coffin discovered in a 3,500-year-old tomb in the Draa Abul Nagaa , near LuxorCredit: Getty Images
Journalists and members of an Egyptian archaeological team stand near the discovered artefactsCredit: Getty Images
Head of the archaeological mission, Mostafa el-Waziri, confirmed: “There are 10 coffins and eight mummies. The excavation is ongoing.” The tomb was initially constructed for Userhat but was later reopened during the 21st Dynasty, approximately 3,000 years ago, to accommodate additional mummies as a protective measure against looters.
The structure follows a classic T-shaped layout typical of the period: an open courtyard leads into a rectangular hall, followed by a corridor and an inner chamber. One hall contained four ancient coffins, while another included a chamber housing six more. A nine-meter-deep shaft within the complex held the bulk of the more than 1,000 Ushabti figurines — small carved statues intended to perform labor for the deceased in the afterlife — along with wooden masks and a handle from a sarcophagus lid. A further room has been identified but remains only partially excavated, with officials noting evidence that additional mummies may yet be found.
Archaeologists, wearing protective white masks and latex gloves, carefully inspected the well-preserved wooden coffins, many adorned with intricate drawings in vibrant red, blue, black, green, and yellow. The lids featured finely carved faces of the deceased, reflecting the artistry and reverence of the era. Inside one coffin, experts examined a mummy still wrapped in linen. Additional artifacts included white, orange, green, and patterned pottery vessels.
Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Enany expressed astonishment at the volume of material uncovered. “It was a surprise how much was being displayed inside,” he said. “We found a large number of Ushabti… more than 1,000 of them. This is an important discovery.”
Nevine el-Aref, spokeswoman for the antiquities ministry, added that traces suggest “new mummies could be discovered in the future,” underscoring the site’s untapped potential.
The Draa Abul Nagaa necropolis, situated on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor, has long been a treasure trove for Egyptologists. This latest find not only enriches our understanding of New Kingdom elite burial customs but also highlights the adaptive strategies ancient Egyptians employed to preserve their dead during times of instability.
As excavations continue, the “death vault” of Userhat promises further revelations. For now, the eight mummies, ten coffins, and the dazzling hoard of Ushabti figurines stand as a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of ancient Egyptian civilization and the dedication of the archaeologists bringing it back to light.