Toys made of clay. Bronze coins stamped with the image of Alexander the Great. Ancient tombs cut from stone. Archaeologists recently discovered these in Egypt.

Researchers found these artifacts near the city of Luxor. They date back 3,600 years. They will help researchers learn about Egypt’s ancient past.

Luxor sits near the Nile River in the center of Egypt. In ancient times, it was known as Thebes. It’s one of the oldest cities in the world where people still live. It’s also the site of many historic discoveries.

The latest items come from Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple. Queen Hatshepsut lived from about 1507 to 1458 B.C. The temple was built during her reign. 

Researchers also found the remains of Queen Hatshepsut’s Valley Temple. They uncovered burial shafts from Egypt’s 17th dynasty. That dynasty lasted from about 1580 to 1550 B.C. “Burial shafts” are tombs cut into the rock. Over the years, grave robbers took much from these tombs. But some important artifacts remain. Today’s researchers seek a different kind of wealth—a wealth of knowledge.

In some tombs, they found archery bows like those used in war. People buried there likely were in the military. They may have fought to free Egypt from the Hyksos. This group of people ruled parts of Egypt for about 100 years.

The archaeologists also found the tomb of Djehuti-Mes. Djehuti-Mes ran the palace of an Egyptian Queen named Teti Sheri. There weren’t many artifacts left in the tomb. But researchers can still learn about Djehuti-Mes from the tomb itself.

Lastly, they uncovered part of the Assassif Ptolemaic Necropolis. A necropolis is a large and elaborate tomb or graveyard. 

Burial practices mattered much to ancient Egyptians. They believed people could take treasures with them into the afterlife. People were buried with their earthly belongings. But Jesus tells us differently. He reminds us that earthly treasures fade away. Thieves break in and steal. That proved true for the pharaohs, even after death! 

Instead, we store up true treasure in heaven. That treasure can never be stolen or destroyed.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. — Matthew 6:19-20