One of the amazing things about Egypt is that the entire country is still an active archaeological site. With over five thousand years of history under its sands, the slice that we know about and have uncovered so far is by no means all there is to be discovered.
When you visit the Pyramids couples, Memphis, the Valley of the Kings, and many other sites, you may notice ongoing excavations around you. That’s because new discoveries are being made all the time in Egypt.
In the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, what was thought to be a new tomb labeled KV63 was discovered in 2005. After further exploration, it is now believed to have been a mummification preparation facility, which is still pretty darn neat. It’s like the ancient royal morgue for the Valley. Three years later another possible new tomb was discovered, KV65, which is still unexcavated.
KV62 is the well known tomb of King Tut, discovered and excavated in 1922. Although it’s been open for nearly a century, just this year scans of the walls of the tomb revealed that there may be additional hidden chambers on the other side of the tomb’s current walls and even new objects within those chambers. Investigations are ongoing.
There have also been new ancient tombs discovered recently in Aswan further to the south. Typically known as the site of Egypt’s largest dam and peaceful Nile vistas, Aswan’s new tombs are likely those of ancient regional nobility as opposed to ruling Pharaohs and the immediate royal family.
Even up at the Pyramids just outside Cairo, new discoveries are still being unearthed. Back in 2002 new discoveries were made in and about the workers village adjacent to the Pyramids complex, which led to new knowledge about the lives of those who toiled away for years to build the massive monuments. As National Geographic noted at the time: “Analysis of human remains has suggested that workers apparently had access to medical treatment. Evidence has been found of healed broken bones, amputated limbs, and even brain surgeries.”
More recently this year, archaeologists believe they’ve discovered new rooms inside of of the Great Pyramid. Although no treasures or mummies were ever found inside of the Pyramids and, if the were ever inside, were likely robbed thousands of years ago, any new chambers found could contain undisturbed artifacts.
When you visit, you’ll notice the ongoing excavations all around you as you visit and explore Egypt’s incredible sites and monuments. And keep an eye out – that rock you stumble over might just be the long-sought clue to some new twist of history.