A joint archaeological mission in Saqqara has unveiled the pristine tomb of Hery-Nekhu, a high-ranking official from the reign of Thutmose III. The tomb is notable for its exceptionally preserved wall reliefs depicting a fleet of Egyptian ships returning from the Land of Punt, laden with specialized sacks of frankincense, myrrh, and aromatic resins intended for the royal embalming workshops.
Beyond the artistic merit, the find includes a cache of hieratic papyrus letters detailing trade negotiations with Arabian Peninsula chieftains regarding resin prices and quality standards. This provides an unprecedented look at the administrative rigor behind New Kingdom maritime trade and the specific logistics used to secure luxury materials for pharaonic rituals.