Daijiworld Media Network – Cairo

Cairo, Apr 5: A joint Egyptian-French archaeological team has uncovered new tombs, storage facilities, and structures near the famed Ramesseum Temple in Luxor, shedding fresh light on the site's historical and social significance.

According to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the discoveries date back to the Third Intermediate Period (circa 1069–525 BCE) and include tombs, olive oil and honey storage areas, and a unique educational complex.

Among the major finds is what experts believe to be the “House of Life”—a scientific and educational institution once attached to major temples. The layout of the building, along with remnants of school drawings and toys, offers the first evidence of a school within the Ramesseum complex.

Archaeologists also discovered administrative offices on the eastern side of the temple, suggesting that the Ramesseum served not just as a place of worship but also as an administrative hub. The findings point to a well-structured civil system and reflect the temple’s role in redistributing goods and resources to the surrounding population, including city artisans.

“This temple clearly functioned as a religious, social and economic centre,” said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. He highlighted how the finds underline the importance of the temple in the lives of those who lived under the royal authority of Ramses II.

Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy praised the mission’s efforts, noting that such discoveries continue to enrich the understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Built by Ramses II who ruled from 1279 to 1213 BCE and held one of the longest reigns in Egyptian history the Ramesseum Temple was partly damaged in 27 BCE due to an earthquake.