IttiHaas Chronicle
archaeology

Pristine 18th-Dynasty 'Royal Ostrich-Hunter's Tomb' Discovered in Luxor with Intact Feathered Headdresses

📅 April 11, 2026 📰 The Nile Heritage Journal
Pristine 18th-Dynasty 'Royal Ostrich-Hunter's Tomb' Discovered in Luxor with Intact Feathered Headdresses

A joint Egyptian-International mission has announced the discovery of the intact tomb of a high-ranking official named Hani, who served as the 'Overseer of the Royal Ostrich Hunt' during the 18th Dynasty. Located in the Draa Abul Naga necropolis on Luxor's West Bank, the tomb contains rare artifacts related to the procurement of exotic feathers and eggs for the pharaoh's court. Most remarkably, archaeologists found three perfectly preserved headdresses made of actual ostrich feathers, still retaining their original ivory mountings.

The walls of the burial chamber are adorned with vivid polychrome frescoes depicting the process of tracking and capturing ostriches in the Eastern Desert. These scenes provide unprecedented detail on the ancient Egyptian knowledge of desert fauna and the specialized equipment used by royal hunters, including lightweight bows and leather camouflage garments found within the sarcophagus chamber.

Original source: The Nile Heritage Journal