National
Spanish team unearths a unique find in Luxor on excavations in the necropolis of Ancient Thebes
By m.p.
Feb 18, 2008 - 11:16 PM

A team led by a Spanish archaeologist has discovered the burial chamber of an Egyptian warrior who died four thousand years ago, as part of a Spanish-Egyptian project which is investigating part of the necropolis on the western bank of the Nile at Luxor which served as the burial ground for ancient Thebes.

The excavation site is at Dra’ Abu el-Naga, where the team’s investigations are centred on the tombs of Djehuty and Hery, two high-ranking dignitaries of the court of Hatshepsut, the 18th dynasty Pharaoh who was one of the few women to rule in Ancient Egypt. It’s not known exactly when she reigned, but it is believed to have been around 1500 BC.

The tomb discovered in the necropolis is that of Iqer, whose name was found inscribed on the wooden coffin which contained his mummified body. His name means ‘the excellent,’ El Mundo says. With him were five arrows made of reed, with many of the feathers still intact, together with two large bows.