Archaeologists excavating in the Theban Necropolis have made a stunning find: the unlooted tomb of a high-ranking official named Bak-en-Khonsu, who served as the 'Master of the Royal Charioteers' under Ramses III. The burial chamber contains a wealth of military regalia, including two complete, gilded chariots with wheels still wrapped in original leather. This marks only the third time in history that intact chariots have been recovered from an Egyptian private tomb.
Alongside the vehicles, the tomb yielded a cache of ceremonial bronze bows and quiver sets decorated with scenes of the pharaoh in battle. The wall murals are exceptionally vibrant, depicting the deceased overseeing the training of the royal horse corps. Experts note that the preservation of the wood and gilded surfaces is comparable to the finds in Tutankhamun’s tomb, offering a rare look at the high-status military elite of the New Kingdom's twilight years.