In a major breakthrough on Luxor’s West Bank, the Egyptian-Canadian archaeological mission working in El-Asasif has uncovered the identity of the owner of the long-enigmatic tomb Kampp 23—a discovery that brings a forgotten figure of ancient Thebes back into focus.
The tomb, first photographed and recorded in the 1970s but never fully excavated, has now been confirmed to belong to Amunemesse, who held the prestigious title of Mayor of Thebes during the Ramesside period. The announcement comes after months of detailed excavation by the joint mission between Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Western University in Ontario.
National Support for Archaeological Discoveries
Commenting on the discovery, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, H.E. Mr. Sherif Fathy, expressed his enthusiasm, describing it as “a valuable addition to the record of joint Egyptian-foreign mission achievements.†He emphasized that such discoveries are “a testament to the strength of scientific collaboration between Egypt and world academic institutions,†and affirmed the state’s ongoing support for archaeological research. “Finds like this deepen our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization and elevate Egypt’s stature on the global map of cultural tourism,†he said.
First Excavation Since the Tomb’s Documentation
Though Kampp 23 was listed decades ago by German Egyptologist Friederike Kampp, its interior had never been properly investigated—until now. The current excavation season marks the first official archaeological work inside the tomb, revealing a wealth of architectural, artistic, and textual evidence that has allowed scholars to name its owner for the first time in modern history.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, described the moment as “a significant step in reconstructing the biographies of Theban officials whose names had long vanished from record.â€
Titles of Power and Service to the King
Among the inscriptions documented during the excavation are titles that place Amunemesse at the very heart of Egypt’s administrative and religious systems. In addition to serving as Mayor of Thebes, a title of immense local power, Amunemesse may also be linked to other high-ranking titles previously found on objects scattered across the West Bank—including Royal Advisor, God’s Father of Amun, Chief Tax Collector, and Overseer of Quarries for Ramesses IV’s expeditions to Wadi Hammamat.
However, as noted by Mohamed Abdel-Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, further study is needed to confirm whether these titles refer to the same individual buried in Kampp 23 or to another official of the same name active later in the Ramesside period.
A Tomb Carved in Stone and Mystery
Kampp 23 itself is an architecturally striking structure: a rock-cut tomb featuring an open courtyard framed by mudbrick walls and a surviving pylon on its eastern side. Two carved niches flank the entrance, and inside, the tomb follows the traditional T-shaped layout of the Ramesside elite. The excavation has also revealed in situ rock-cut statues within the transverse hall and cult chapel—details rarely preserved in similar tombs.
The mission has documented traces of later reuse, including colored plaster covering earlier limestone reliefs, reused materials at the entrance, and fragmented funerary items such as ushabti figurines.
A Collaborative Effort with Global Reach
Dr. Casey L. Kirkpatrick, leading the mission from the Canadian side, emphasized the importance of continued fieldwork. “This season’s results bring us closer to understanding not only the identity of the tomb owner but also the shifting patterns of tomb reuse and elite burial in El-Asasif,†she said. “Future seasons will focus on refining the chronology and securing connections between inscriptions across the necropolis.â€
Abdel-Ghaffar Wagdy, head of the Egyptian team, added that the tomb’s unique architectural and decorative elements provide a vital reference point for ongoing studies of the Ramesside necropolis.
A Step Forward in Theban History
The identification of Amunemesse as the owner of Kampp 23 marks a significant moment in the archaeology of Luxor’s West Bank, offering new insight into the life of a senior official who once governed Thebes during one of Egypt’s most storied dynasties. As excavations continue, Kampp 23 promises to yield further revelations from the golden age of Egypt’s New Kingdom—an era whose voices, though buried, still speak from the stone.
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