Egyptian archaeologists working in Western Thebes have discovered the first known 'Royal Goldsmith's Atelier' dating to the 17th Dynasty. The workshop was found largely intact, containing stone molds for casting electrum ingots and delicate limestone templates used for creating jewelry for the pharaonic family during the Second Intermediate Period.
This discovery bridges a significant gap in the history of ancient Egyptian metallurgy. The site yielded a complete set of artisan tools, including copper-alloy blowpipes and ceramic blow-nozzles, providing a rare glimpse into the sophisticated refining processes used to create the iconic funerary treasures of the era.