The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced the opening of a superbly preserved tomb in the Theban Necropolis of Luxor. Belonging to a high official named Huy, who held the title 'Overseer of the Royal Gardeners' during the 18th Dynasty, the tomb features vibrant wall paintings that have lost none of their color over 3,300 years. The scenes uniquely illustrate the cultivation of exotic flowers and medicinal plants brought from the Levant and Punt, providing a rare look at New Kingdom landscape architecture.
Most notably, archaeologists recovered several sealed ceramic jars containing dried seeds and plant resins, offering a biological record of the flora used in Pharaoh’s private estates. The tomb also contains a beautifully carved limestone sarcophagus and an array of funerary furniture, including wooden stools and offering tables. The discovery is expected to provide new insights into the role of horticulture and environmental management in the administrative life of Ancient Egypt.