Massive archaeological discovery near Egypt's Valley of the Kings

Egyptian archaeologists unearthed the tomb of the nobleman from more than 3,000 years ago, the latest in a series of major discoveries of ancient relics.

Egyptian archaeologists unveil discoveries in Luxor (credit: REUTERS)
Egypt unveiled a massive granite statue of Ramses II on Tuesday after finishing its restoration.
When discovered between 1958 and 1960, the destroyed statue of Ramses II was in 57 pieces, but it wasn't until November 2016 that the restoration process began.

Standing at 11 meters tall and weighing about 75 tons, the statue was unveiled at Luxor Temple hours after the unveiling of the discovery of Userhat's tomb.

Egyptian archaeologists unearthed the tomb of the nobleman from more than 3,000 years ago, the latest in a series of major discoveries of ancient relics that Egypt hopes will revive a tourist business that has been hit by political instability.

The tomb consists of an open court leading into a rectangular hall, a corridor and inner chamber, the Ministry of Antiquities said on Tuesday. It dates from the 18th Dynasty, and was discovered in the Draa Abul Nagaa necropolis near the Valley of the Kings. The nobleman, Userhat, was a judge in the city, Al Jazeera reported from an Egyptian antiquities ministry statement.
More than 1,000 small carved ushtabi figurines were also discovered, which were placed in tombs to help the deceased with duties in the afterlife.
There is reason to believe yet more artifacts will be found in the tomb in the future.