A mission led by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has unveiled the intact tomb of a high-ranking official named Amenhotep-Ra, who served as the 'Overseer of the Royal Linen-Laundries' during the New Kingdom. The tomb's walls are adorned with exceptionally preserved polychrome reliefs depicting the intricate process of washing, beating, and sun-bleaching the Pharaoh’s fine linen garments along the banks of the Nile.
Within the burial chamber, archaeologists found a rare collection of bronze laundry-scrapers and specialized limestone basins used for removing stains. Dr. Zahi Hawass noted that while textile production is well-documented, this is the first high-status tomb dedicated specifically to the maintenance and purification of royal vestments, providing a unique glimpse into the specialized domestic hierarchies of the 18th Dynasty.