Archaeologists Discover 3,000-Year-Old City Near Luxor, Egypt's “Second Pompeii”
- 19 Jul, 2025
A team of Egyptian archaeologists led by Dr. Zahi Hawass has discovered an astonishingly well-preserved ancient city dating back over 3,000 years to the reign of Amenhotep III, one of Egypt's most powerful pharaohs. Unearthed just outside Luxor, the site—tentatively named "The Rise of Aten"—is being hailed as the most significant archaeological find in Egypt since the tomb of Tutankhamun was uncovered in 1922.
The city appears to have been a major urban center complete with streets, homes, workshops, and administrative buildings. Archaeologists have uncovered pottery still containing food, tools lying beside workbenches, and inscriptions detailing governmental and religious operations. Remarkably, several residential structures have walls still standing nearly two meters high.
“The level of preservation is astounding,” said Dr. Hawass. “It’s like the people just walked away one day and never returned. This is our Pompeii.” Historians believe the city may have been abandoned suddenly—possibly due to internal strife, political transition, or natural disaster.
This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the daily life of ordinary Egyptians during the 18th Dynasty. Unlike most tomb discoveries which focus on the elite, this site includes records of artisans, servants, and merchants, providing a much-needed counterbalance to elite-centric narratives. The Egyptian government plans to develop the site into an open-air museum and boost cultural tourism in the region.