Mummy, intricately decorated pottery discovered in unexplored 3,500yo Egyptian tomb

Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a mummy in one of two previously unexplored tombs in the southern city of Luxor, authorities have confirmed.

Among the revealed artefacts were several pieces of intricately decorated Egyptian pottery and a linen-wrapped mummified body — believed to be that of a top official.

The tombs were either unexcavated or had never been entered.(AP: Hamada Elrasam)

The Ministry of Antiquities said the tombs, located in the Draa Abul Naga necropolis on Luxor’s west bank, had been noted by German archaeologist Frederica Kampp in the 1990s and were either unexcavated or had never been entered.

Along with the mummy, archaeologists found painted wooden funeral masks and several hundred carved statues, likely dating around the end of Egypt’s 17th Dynasty or the start of the 18th Dynasty, the ministry said.

Workers restore funeral furniture found in the tomb.(AP: Hamada Elrasam)

Egypt’s relics are a draw for foreign visitors and authorities hope new finds can help attract more as a way to help revive tourism hit by unrest that followed the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

In September, Egyptian archaeologists announced the discovery of a tomb of a prominent goldsmith who lived more than 3,000 years ago, unearthing statues, mummies and jewellery in the latest major find near Luxor.

A guard stands by the funeral mural inside the tomb.(AP: Hamada Elrasam)