Archaeologists unearth 3,400-year-old ‘Lost Golden City’ in Egypt

Archaeologists working near Luxor have uncovered the remains of a vast royal city dating back nearly 3,400 years, shedding new light on daily life during one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful and transformative periods.

The settlement was founded during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III of the 18th Dynasty and was later used under his son Akhenaten, whose radical religious reforms reshaped Egypt’s political and spiritual landscape. Located within the ancient capital of Thebes, the site offers rare insights into how royal communities functioned beyond temples and monuments.

The excavation has revealed an extensive, well-planned urban centre featuring residential quarters, workshops, administrative structures and burial areas. Many of these remains are exceptionally well preserved, prompting Egyptian authorities in 2021 to describe the site as the “Lost Golden City of Luxor” due to its scale and state of conservation.

Archaeologists found mudbrick walls reaching up to nine feet in height, enclosing a dense network of homes, streets and distinct neighbourhoods. The layout suggests a permanent and carefully managed settlement rather than a temporary or ceremonial site. Inside several buildings, everyday objects such as pottery, tools and food remains were discovered intact, indicating sudden abandonment and offering a snapshot of daily life in the ancient city.

Researchers believe the city served as a major industrial and administrative hub supporting the royal court of Amenhotep III during a period marked by prosperity, diplomatic engagement and extensive construction projects. Evidence of metalworking, glass production, large kitchens and bakeries points to an organised labour system designed to sustain royal activities.

Following Amenhotep III’s death, the city was inherited by Akhenaten, who later shifted the capital to Akhetaten, modern-day Amarna. Archaeologists suggest the Luxor settlement remained active during the early years of his reign before being partially abandoned. Signs of continued occupation during the reigns of Tutankhamun and Ay, as well as later periods, indicate that the city retained its importance long after its peak.

The discovery is considered one of the most significant archaeological finds in Egypt in recent decades, providing valuable insight into urban life, labour organisation and governance during the height of the New Kingdom.