In the northern court of the Karnak Temple complex, archaeologists have uncovered alabaster offering tables still bearing the scent of ancient resins. These tables were used during the Beautiful Festival of the Valley, an annual celebration where the living visited the tombs of their ancestors. The discovery of these specific altars confirms how the Egyptian priesthood managed the massive quantities of floral and incense offerings brought by participants.
Analysis of the soil around the tables found high concentrations of lily and lotus pollen, indicating the sheer scale of the botanical displays used to decorate the processional path. This find provides new insights into the sensory experience of the festival, which blended music, banquet, and ancestral remembrance into a multi-day public holiday.