28 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Ancient Elegance Revealed: Exquisite Jewelry and Amulets from the 26th Dynasty Discovered at Karnak

In a remarkable revelation that sheds light on ancient Egyptian craftsmanship, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, alongside the Egyptian-French archaeological mission from the Franco-Egyptian Center for the Study of the Karnak Temples (CFEETK), has uncovered a significant collection of jewelry and amulets dating back to the early 26th Dynasty (664–525 B.C.) at the Karnak temples.

During excavations in the northern area of the Karnak complex—one of ancient Egypt’s most significant religious sites—archaeologists unearthed a small, broken ceramic container that was remarkably intact. Inside, they found a stunning array of jewelry pieces in excellent condition, including several gold rings, small statuettes, and gilded amulets. Notably, the collection features a rare triptych representing the Theban triad of deities: Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Additionally, metal brooches and amulets depicting gods in animal forms were discovered, along with numerous decorative beads, some of which are gold-coated.

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Sherif Fathy, emphasized the significance of this discovery, highlighting the fruitful collaboration between Egypt and France in archaeological endeavors. He noted that this excavation is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing the tourist experience at Karnak, one of the country’s most visited temple complexes. As part of this development plan, tourist routes have been modernized, a new lighting system has been installed, and the sanctuary of Amenhotep I has been restored and reinstalled in the site’s open-air museum. These efforts aim not only to preserve historical heritage but also to make the Karnak complex an even more attractive destination for both domestic and international visitors.

The triptych of the Theban triad (Amun, Mut and Khonsu) discovered. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, A. Fawzy

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, remarked that this finding significantly contributes to expanding knowledge about the temple and its evolution throughout the first millennium B.C. He stated that the recovered objects will provide researchers with a clearer understanding of religious life and the use of amulets and jewelry in Egyptian society during the 26th Dynasty.

The archaeological team, led by Dr. Abdel Ghaffar Wagdy, Director General of Luxor Antiquities and head of the mission on Egypt’s behalf, has commenced restoration and documentation work on the discovered pieces. Once this process is completed, the artifacts are expected to be exhibited at the Luxor Museum, allowing visitors to appreciate their historical and artistic value.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



From the French side, mission director Dr. Jérémie Hourdin explained that ongoing excavations in the northern area of Karnak have revealed large mudbrick structures likely used as storage facilities or workshops related to temple activities. These constructions, also dating back to the 26th Dynasty, provide valuable insights into the organization and functioning of the complex during that era.

Credit: The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, A. Fawzy

The Karnak temples continue to be an inexhaustible source of archaeological discoveries. Their vast expanse and rich history have established this site as a key reference point for global Egyptology. Each new finding, such as this collection of jewelry and amulets, allows for a more precise reconstruction of the splendor of ancient Egypt and a deeper understanding of its religious and cultural practices.

This significant discovery not only enriches the historical narrative of the Karnak temples but also underscores the importance of international collaboration in uncovering the mysteries of ancient civilizations. As the excavation efforts continue, the world eagerly anticipates further revelations from this iconic site.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Cover Image Credit: The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, A. Fawzy

Related Articles

New Research Reveals Previously Unknown Aspects of the Construction, Use, and Ritual Significance of a Neolithic Rondel Found in Poland

12 December 2024

12 December 2024

An archaeological excavation at Nowe Objezierze in north-western Poland has uncovered a rondel dating to around 4800 BC, offering new...

Archaeologists Uncover 8 Graves Dated 6,500 Years Ago in Lausanne, Swiss

30 October 2021

30 October 2021

Archaeologists have unearthed eight prehistoric tombs between 5,500 and 6,500 years old in the Swiss town of Pully. The site...

Archaeologists discovered a sunken prehistoric fort in Clew Bay island

1 April 2024

1 April 2024

A sunken prehistoric fort has been discovered on Clew Bay island off the north Mayo coast, Ireland. It has been...

1700 years ago the Korean peninsula had more genetic diversity than in our time, “Facial reconstruction possible through DNA analyses”

22 June 2022

22 June 2022

An international team led by The University of Vienna and the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in collaboration...

The Ramesseum’s ‘House of Life’ Reveals Ancient Egypt’s Educational Secrets!

6 April 2025

6 April 2025

A recent archaeological mission has unveiled groundbreaking findings at the Ramesseum, the grand mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramesses II, located...

Two statuettes of Demeter discovered in Aigai, the ‘city of goats’ of the Aeolians in western Türkiye

20 November 2023

20 November 2023

Two statuettes of Demeter, the Greek goddess of earth and fertility, were discovered in a cistern in the ancient city...

One of the largest mass burial pits ever discovered in the UK has been unearthed next to Leicester Cathedral

21 November 2024

21 November 2024

While excavating the gardens of Leicester Cathedral for the future construction of a learning center, archaeologists uncovered one of the...

Hagia Sophia May Collapse: Experts Sound Alarm Over 1,500-Year-Old World Heritage Monument

30 June 2025

30 June 2025

Beneath the grandeur of Hagia Sophia’s golden domes and sacred mosaics lies a ticking time bomb. With over 1,500 years...

A new magnetic survey of the ancient Assyrian capital of Khorsabad has revealed a 127-room villa twice the size of the U.S. White House

26 December 2024

26 December 2024

Archaeologists in northern Iraq have conducted an extensive magnetic survey using an exhaustive magnetic survey at Khorsabad, once the ancient...

A 1,500-Year-Old Roman Settlement Discovered in Bulgaria

21 March 2025

21 March 2025

In a remarkable turn of events, a team of archaeologists conducting preliminary excavations ahead of a transit gas pipeline project...

Archaeologists Reconstruct the Face of a 7th-Century Anglo-Saxon Woman Buried with “Trumpington Cross”

21 June 2023

21 June 2023

In a remarkable archaeological discovery near Cambridge, England, the face of a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon woman buried with a rare gold...

An unexpected shipwreck was unearthed at the Tallinn construction site

18 April 2022

18 April 2022

During the construction of the office building on Lootsi Street in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, a shipwreck...

Egypt’s Lost city “Thonis-Heracleion”

6 September 2021

6 September 2021

Thonis-Heracleion (Egyptian and Greek names of the city) is a port city lost between myth and reality until 1999. Few...

‘Theodoric the Great’ villa mosaic found near Verona in Italy

17 April 2022

17 April 2022

A section of the ancient Roman mosaic flooring from the 5th century AD villa of Ostrogoth king Theodoric the Great...

3,000-year-old Bronze Age Hoard Discovered During House Building Project in Scotland

31 July 2024

31 July 2024

Recent laboratory investigations of the Rosemarkie find, unearthed during the Black Isle housing development at Greenside in Rosemarkie, Highland Scotland,...