A joint Egyptian-French archaeological team has unearthed a series of tombs and buildings near the Ramesseum Temple in Luxor, offering fresh insights into the site's historical significance, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced Friday.
The findings include tombs from the Third Intermediate Period (circa 1069–525 BCE) and storage facilities believed to have been used for olive oil and honey, located near the temple grounds.
Within the temple, excavations uncovered the remains of the "House of Life"—a scholarly institution affiliated with major temples. The discovery revealed its architectural structure and a valuable collection of archaeological remnants, including ancient school drawings and toys. This marks the first evidence of an educational institution operating within the Ramesseum.
On the temple’s eastern side, the mission also discovered a group of buildings believed to have functioned as administrative offices.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that these discoveries point to an organized administrative hierarchy within the temple complex. He emphasized that the Ramesseum served not only as a religious site but also as a hub for distributing goods and managing resources that supported local residents, including artisans from the nearby Deir el-Medina, who operated under royal authority.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy praised the mission’s work, highlighting its contribution to uncovering new aspects of the Ramesseum’s religious and societal roles in ancient Egyptian life.
The Ramesseum Temple was constructed by Ramses II, who reigned from 1279 to 1213 BCE—Egypt’s second-longest ruling pharaoh. The temple sustained damage from an earthquake in 27 BCE.
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CAIRO, April 4 (Xinhua) -- A joint Egyptian-French archeological mission uncovered tombs and buildings that reveal more history about the Ramesseum Temple in the southern city of Luxor, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement on Friday.
The mission uncovered a group of tombs dating back to the Third Intermediate Period (about 1069-525 BCE), and storage areas for olive oil and honey in the vicinity of the temple.
Excavations inside the temple revealed the "House of Life" (a scientific school attached to the major temples), including the architectural layout of the educational institution and a rich archaeological collection that included the remains of school drawings and toys. It is the first evidence of the existence of a school within the Ramesseum Temple.
The team also found a group of buildings that were likely used as administrative offices on the eastern side of the temple.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the discoveries indicate a complete hierarchical system of civil servants within this temple, as it was not only a place of worship, but also a center for the redistribution of stored or manufactured products, which benefited the inhabitants of the area, including the artisans of the city monastery, who were subject to royal authority within the system of provinces.
Sherif Fathy, Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, commended the mission's efforts in uncovering new secrets for the history of the Ramesseum temple and the religious and societal role in Ancient Egypt.
Ramses II, whose reign (1279-1213 BCE) was the second longest in Egyptian history, built the Ramesseum Temple during his reign. In 27 BCE, an earthquake hit and damaged the temple.