Ancient carvings depicting the faces of Tutankhamun’s grandfather and other ancient Egyptian pharaohs have been rediscovered.
Archaeologists found giant stone slabs at the bottom of the Nile River while searching for artifacts lost in a flood in the city of Aswan in the 1970s.
The slabs included hieroglyphic inscriptions about the achievements of kings, including King Amenhotep III, also known as Amenhotep the Magnificent and ancestor of King Tut.
Archaeologists have discovered mysterious carvings of ancient Egyptian pharaohs that have been submerged underwater for decades.
During their exploration of the Nile River, archaeologists discovered rock slabs containing hieroglyphic inscriptions and carvings of King Tatmas IV, who ruled in the early 14th century BC, and King Amenhotab III, who ruled from 1390 to 1353 BC.
The carvings on the stone also speak of King Thutmose IV, who ruled in the early 14th century BC and was famous for his restoration of the Great Sphinx of Giza.
Team members said they were surprised the carvings were in such good condition and hope to uncover more artifacts on future dives.
The ancient artifacts were discovered in the area in 1960, but were lost the following decade during the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
Archaeologists rushed to remove them before they were lost underwater, but many could not be relocated in time.
The latest dive was intended to search for lost objects, but it led the team to surprisingly well-preserved depictions of notable pharaohs that had never been studied before.
“For the first time, we have dived to study the rock formations between the Aswan Reservoir and the Aswan High Dam,” Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said. Smithsonian Magazine.
“As the site is in good condition, the mission was able to document it fully.”
King Amenhoteb III, also known as Amenhotep the Magnificent, is depicted on one of the slabs and was famous for the expansion of diplomatic relations and the period of peaceful prosperity that citizens experienced under his rule. Pictured: Funerary mask of King Amenhoteb III
King Apries succeeded his father, Psamtik II, and during his reign he actively built four Egyptian temples, but was plagued by military problems after sending his army to aid Libya against Greek invaders.
Researchers used underwater filming and photography techniques to document the discovery.
They are also creating 3D models of the images using photogrammetry, the process of using surface measurements from photographs to create an accurate three-dimensional version.
The Egyptian Tourism Ministry did not provide a translation of the hieroglyphics or describe what the carvings looked like.
These finds were thought to have been lost after the construction of the Awan Dam between 1960 and 1970, as archaeologists raced against time to save Egyptian artifacts and historical monuments, including the Temple of Dendur, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Now their new findings are sparking renewed interest in the archaeological significance of the site.
For the first time, a team of Egyptian and French archaeologists have dived to recover lost treasures, including carvings of at least five rulers who reigned during the 18th and 26th Dynasties.
Dr. Islam Saleem, director general of the General Administration of Submerged Archaeology, emphasized in a Facebook message mail that the team’s initial findings suggest that there are still additional sizes to be discovered.
Researchers hope the findings can help them better understand the reigns of the 18th dynasty, which was already renowned for its architectural and artistic achievements.
Aswan is a notable area in Egypt for its historic site that houses the Abu Simbel Temple, which features four colossal statues of Pharaoh Ramses II guarding the entrance and measuring 65 feet tall.
It also houses the Temple of Philae, where the last known hieroglyphic inscription was written in 394 AD.