New Kingdom Tomb of Egyptian Official Paser Discovered at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna in Luxor

New Kingdom Tomb of Egyptian Official Paser Discovered at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna

Archaeologists have uncovered a previously unknown New Kingdom tomb in the famous Sheikh Abd el-Qurna necropolis on Luxor’s west bank, revealing beautifully preserved inscriptions and colorful wall paintings that identify its owner as an Egyptian official named Paser.

The discovery was made by a Dutch archaeological mission from Leiden University, led by Dr. Karina van den Hoeven, during the latest excavation season at Jabanat el-Qurna. The project forms part of an ongoing archaeological investigation of the Lower Sheikh Abd el-Qurna cemetery, one of the most important burial landscapes in ancient Thebes.

Image Credit : Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities

According to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the newly discovered tomb lies just east of Tomb No. 45, where excavations have been underway since 2018 in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The long-term project combines archaeological excavation with conservation, documentation, and risk management to better understand the development of this important section of the Theban Necropolis.

Inscriptions Reveal the Tomb Owner

Ancient inscriptions preserved inside the chapel identify the tomb owner as Paser, while the artistic style of the inscriptions and paintings indicates that the monument dates to the New Kingdom, one of ancient Egypt’s most prosperous periods.

Researchers plan to continue documenting every inscription and decorative element to determine exactly who Paser was and to identify the individuals buried within the underground chambers.

Classic Elite Tomb Architecture

The tomb follows the characteristic design of elite private tombs constructed in ancient Thebes during the New Kingdom.

An open courtyard leads visitors to a rock-cut chapel with the familiar T-shaped floor plan, while burial chambers lie beneath the chapel.

Excavations within the courtyard uncovered several well-preserved architectural features, including mudbrick walls containing a niche that once held a funerary stela. Archaeologists also identified a staircase with ramps leading toward the entrance, offering valuable insight into the original layout of the monument.

Colorful Wall Paintings Still Survive

Although parts of the painted decoration remain hidden beneath thin layers of sediment, several scenes are already visible.

Among the surviving artwork are depictions of Paser worshipping various Egyptian deities inside shrine settings. Other scenes show Paser seated beside his wife before an offering table, a common funerary motif symbolizing eternal nourishment in the afterlife.

The vibrant paintings provide important evidence for artistic traditions practiced in private tombs during the New Kingdom.

Further Conservation Planned

Dr. Karina van den Hoeven said future excavation seasons will focus on stabilizing the structure while conserving and restoring the painted decoration.

Researchers also hope that continued excavation around the tomb will uncover additional burials and archaeological evidence that will improve understanding of the broader cemetery and the people who lived and served in ancient Thebes.

Expanding Knowledge of Ancient Thebes

Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy praised the work of archaeological missions operating throughout the country, noting that discoveries such as the tomb of Paser continue to reveal new chapters of ancient Egyptian history while strengthening Egypt's position as one of the world's leading archaeological destinations.

As archaeological work continues at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, researchers expect further discoveries that will help reconstruct the lives, beliefs, and funerary traditions of Egypt's New Kingdom elite.

“Witch’s Grave” Excavation Uncovers Neolithic Pottery and Flint Tools in Scotland

Archaeologists excavating the prehistoric monument known locally as the “Witch’s Grave” on South Uist have uncovered Neolithic pottery, flint tools, and new archaeological evidence that is helping researchers better understand the construction and long history of one of Scotland’s earliest megalithic monuments.

The excavation forms part of Scotland’s Earliest Megalithic Monuments Project, a collaborative research initiative involving archaeologists and the Uist Community Archaeology Group. The project is supported by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s Audrey Henshall Legacy Award and Historic Environment Scotland.

A 6,000-year-old Neolithic burial monument

The Witch’s Grave, located at Leaval on South Uist, is the surviving stone burial chamber of a Neolithic chambered cairn dating to around 4000 BC.

Image Credit : Uist Community Archaeology Group

Constructed using four massive upright stone slabs, the chamber originally stood within a large stone cairn built by some of Scotland’s earliest farming communities approximately 6,000 years ago. Archaeologists believe it served as a communal burial place where the dead were laid to rest as part of elaborate funerary rituals.

Excavation reveals remains of the original cairn

Researchers began by carefully removing turf beside the ancient chamber before opening a trench around the monument.

Almost immediately, they uncovered stones belonging to the cairn that once surrounded the burial chamber, providing valuable information about the monument's original appearance.

Throughout the excavation, members of the Uist Community Archaeology Group have documented every stage using detailed 3D digital models, creating a permanent record of the excavation as it progresses.

Neolithic pottery discovered inside the chamber

One of the excavation's most important discoveries came after archaeologists opened a second trench inside the burial chamber.

Shortly after removing the surface soil, the team uncovered a fragment of prehistoric pottery positioned beside a cluster of small stones between two of the chamber's massive upright slabs.

The pottery provides fresh evidence that the chamber remained an important ceremonial location during the Neolithic period.

Although several iron nails were also recovered, archaeologists believe these relate to archaeological work carried out during the 1990s rather than ancient activity.

Flint tools reveal prehistoric activity

As the excavation expanded, researchers recovered additional archaeological material from across the site.

Among the discoveries were:

• Worked flint tools
• Flint manufacturing flakes
• Additional Neolithic pottery fragments
• Pieces of quartz associated with prehistoric activity

Although relatively few artifacts have been recovered from inside the chamber itself, each discovery helps archaeologists better understand how the monument was used over thousands of years.

Bronze Age activity identified

Excavations also revealed what may be the remains of a Bronze Age enclosure running east to west across the ancient cairn.

If confirmed, the feature would demonstrate that the monument continued to influence the surrounding landscape long after its original construction during the Neolithic period.

The evidence supports conclusions reached during earlier archaeological surveys suggesting the site retained ceremonial or symbolic importance for later prehistoric communities.

Mysterious circular feature under investigation

One of the excavation's most intriguing discoveries is an unusual circular feature found inside the burial chamber.

Researchers are considering several possible explanations.

The feature could represent:

• A posthole from an earlier structure that existed before the cairn
• Evidence connected with the construction of the burial chamber
• A pit created during attempts to rob the monument in later centuries

To help solve the mystery, archaeologists collected phosphate samples for laboratory analysis.

These tests may detect traces of organic materials that have long since disappeared, providing important clues about the feature's original purpose.

Investigating how the monument was built

Outside the burial chamber, archaeologists reached what appears to be the original prehistoric ground surface preserved beneath the cairn stones.

Researchers are also closely examining one of the western chamber stones in an effort to understand how Neolithic builders transported, positioned, and stabilized the enormous slabs over 6,000 years ago.

Understanding the engineering techniques used during construction could provide valuable insights into the skills and organization of Scotland's earliest farming communities.

Unlocking the history of Scotland's earliest monuments

The excavation forms part of wider efforts to investigate Scotland's earliest megalithic monuments and improve understanding of the people who built them.

Each new discovery—from fragments of pottery to subtle construction features—adds another piece to the story of how Neolithic communities created monumental landscapes that continued to shape the Scottish countryside for thousands of years.

As research continues, archaeologists hope the Witch's Grave will provide important new evidence about prehistoric burial traditions, monument construction, and the long-lasting cultural significance of one of South Uist's oldest archaeological sites.