Excavations in the Theban Necropolis near Luxor have revealed a well-preserved 2,400-year-old temple dedicated to Meretseger, the cobra-goddess of the Valley of the Kings. The site includes a pristine sanctuary with a massive limestone altar and several lapis-lazuli inlaid statuettes depicting the goddess in her semi-human form, marking the first major dedicated structure to her found in this region.
The temple's walls are adorned with vivid polychrome murals that illustrate the protection of royal tombs and the rituals performed by the artisans of Deir el-Medina. This find provides crucial archaeological evidence of the personal piety of the ancient Egyptian workforce, emphasizing the goddess's role as both a punisher and a protector of the sacred hills.