Luxor, which translates to “the palaces” in Arabic, was once known as “the city of a hundred gates” in ancient times. It is considered by many to be the largest open-air museum in the world due to the presence of some of the most majestic temples in an area of 417 km2 (161 sq mi), including the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Karnak, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Temple of Luxor, home to some of the most extraordinary ruins and artifacts. Luxor is a part of the ancient city of Thebes and is located in the southern region of Upper Egypt on the east bank of the Nile. Luxor served as both the national capital during the New Kingdom and was considered a very important city in ancient Egypt.
Millions of tourists come to the city from all over the world to see this incredible beauty. More than 500,000 people still live in the city in a working population that depends almost exclusively on tourism. Luxor experiences an extremely hot and sunny environment, with summer highs of 40 C (104 F) and winter lows of 22 C (71.6 F).
What is the history of Luxor?
The city of Luxor had a strong religious heritage, as evidenced by its history as the city of Amun and later in the New Kingdom of Egypt as the city of the gods, where the temple of Karnak serves as main place of worship. Each god had a sanctuary, including Amun-Ra, Mut and many others. The city’s importance increased around the beginning of the 11th Dynasty in the early Middle Kingdom, leading to the New Kingdom, where it became the capital and a focal point for all areas of politics, religion and the army of ancient Egypt.
Where is Luxor now?
Even after the arrival of the Greek, Roman, Coptic and Islamic eras in Luxor and the construction of many churches and mosques near or even on some of the temples, Luxor continued to be a window into the history of ancient Egypt . The city of Luxor and all its monuments were inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage in 1979, and it never ceases to amaze us with new discoveries.
What is the latest discovery from Luxor?
In the center of Luxor, a city in southern Egypt, Egyptian archaeologists have claimed to have found a “complete Roman-era residential city” dating back 1,800 years.
According to Mostafa Waziri, the head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, the city is “the oldest and most important city found on the eastern bank of Luxor” and dates from the second and third centuries.
Waziri said in a statement that archaeologists had found “several residential buildings”, “two pigeon towers” (a building used to keep pigeons or doves) and “several metal workshops”. Waziri explained that these towers served as nests to raise carrier pigeons. Messages would then be delivered by the birds to other regions of the Roman Empire.
Researchers have discovered a variety of pots, utensils and “Roman bronze and copper coins” inside the workshops.
This is an uncommon archaeological find in Egypt, where excavations generally concern temples and tombs, especially on the west bank of Luxor, where the famous Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings are located.
Authorities declared the discovery of a 3,000-year-old “hidden golden city” on the west bank of Luxor in April 2021. The archaeological team called it “the largest” ancient Egyptian city ever discovered.
In recent years, Egypt has made several important archaeological discoveries. Critics say the wave of digs has prioritized finds that will draw media attention to the rigorous scientific investigation.
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The findings, however, have been a crucial part of Egypt’s efforts to resuscitate its vital tourism sector after years of political upheaval as well as in the wake of the Covid outbreak.
Sherif Khalil owns dunes and beyond. Dunes & Beyond offers luxury tours, Nile cruises and desert safaris in Egypt.
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