The head of an Egyptian team excavating an area in the Valley of the Monkeys, near the famed Valley of the Kings in Luxor, says they have uncovered an industrial area that includes at least 30 buildings that housed workers. Dr. Zahi Hawass says some of the huts consist of two rooms, an inner room probably for sleeping, and an antechamber with stone along its wall. Most of the huts contained fireplaces inside and outside the rooms. The discovery reveals much about the lives of the workmen, and how the artifacts, decorations, coffins and funerary items were produced. The archaeologists have been working in the area since December 2017. Hawass is also looking for the tombs of queen Nefertiti and Ankhsenamun, her daughter and widow of Tutankhamun, which may be nearby.
New Discoveries in Egypt's Valley of the Monkeys
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The Egyptian excavation team has found hundreds of inlay beads and golden objects which were used to decorate royal coffins. Some of the inlays are known as the wings of Horus. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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The Egyptian excavation team found a silver ring for Amenhotep III decorated with a scarab. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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The excavations of the huts revealed tools of artisans and different types of pottery. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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Remnants of a female Mummy on display among the findings - evidence of burials in the area. (H. Elrasam/VOA)