Archaeologists in Luxor’s West Bank have announced the discovery of the unlooted 18th-Dynasty tomb of Amenemhat, an official who held the prestigious title of 'Master of the Royal Menagerie' under Pharaoh Thutmose III. The tomb is unique for containing the mummified remains of exotic animals, including a cheetah, a baboon, and several African grey parrots, intended to accompany the official into the afterlife.
The burial chamber walls are decorated with exceptionally vivid scenes of the pharaoh receiving tribute from the Land of Punt, featuring detailed depictions of giraffes, elephants, and leopards. This find offers a rare glimpse into the logistics of the ancient Egyptian exotic animal trade and the personal prestige associated with maintaining the royal zoo during the New Kingdom.