Archaeologists have discovered part of the foundation of Hatshepsut's temple and tombs from the Middle Kingdom during excavations in the Deir el-Bahari area of Luxor Governorate in southern Egypt, Egyptologist Zahi Hawass said.

"The mission discovered part of the foundation of Hatshepsut's temple, which was located in the vicinity of the valley and was the main entrance gate to the mortuary temple," Hawass announced during a press conference on Wednesday, noting that excavations and research in the area have been ongoing since September 2022.

The archaeologist noted that the mission also managed to find a large number of inscriptions and rock-cut tombs dating back to the Middle Kingdom (2050-1710 BC). Important artifacts were also found in the tombs, including ceramic tables for sacrificial offerings, Hawass said.

Other finds made by the archaeological mission include rock-cut tombs from the 17th Dynasty, archery bows, the tomb of Djehuti-Mes (the caretaker of Queen Tetisheri's palace) and part of the El-Assasif necropolis.

It is noted that archaeologists also discovered bronze coins with images of Alexander the Great, dating back to the period of Ptolemy I (367 - 283).

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