Luxor’s Heritage In Focus: Southern Chapels Of The Akh Menu Temple – Restored

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - A joint Egyptian-French archaeological mission has now completed a restoration project at the Southern Chapels of the Akh Menu Temple within the Karnak temple complex.

Image credit: Supreme Council of Antiquities

Ahram Online reports that the Akh Menu Temple, originally constructed during the reign of Thutmose III, played a pivotal role in the worship of Amun-Re at Karnak. To the right of the temple's main entrance, there is a series of chapels consisting of seven interconnected shrines and two spacious columned chambers.

Image credit: Supreme Council of Antiquities

The walls are decorated with vividly colored religious scenes. These include illustrations of King Thutmose III making offerings to Amun, celebrations marking his Heb Sed jubilee festival, and an extensive foundation inscription that designates the site as a "Temple of Millions of Years."

The Southern Chapels of the Akh Menu Temple have walls and ceilings that are still largely intact, while the artwork inside the complex ignites the imagination.

In Luxor’s West Bank necropolis of Asasif in Qurna and at Nagaa Abu Asaba near Karnak, these sites continue to unveil treasures and many of them will certai nly be found.

A joint Egyptian-French mission' excavations.  An archaeological precinct of the Karnak Temple. Image credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt

At Asasif, archaeologists have unearthed small wooden coffins thought to belong to children—each piece whispering stories from the past despite their fragile state. Hopefully, experts in osteology and ancient woodworking will shed light on these finds, and reveal the era's demographics and customs.

Other interesting finds include ostraca—inscribed pottery shards—and limestone fragments alongside two partially damaged conical seals bearing the name “Supervisor of the House Khonsu.” A well brimming with miniature faience ushabti figurines and an unadorned columned chamber with traces of plasterwork stands as a silent guardian of secrets yet untold.

An archaeological precinct of the Karnak Temple. Image credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt

At Nagaa Abu Asaba, an Egyptian archaeological team discovered a large mudbrick enclosure wall from the reign of Menkheperre, a king of the 21st Dynasty.

Menkheperre was a High Priest of Amun and king of Upper and Lower Egypt. He took as his throne name the title of "First prophet of Amun" and ruled in the years 1045-992 BC. He was the son of the great priest Pinodjem I. His wife was his niece, Isetembhabit III, daughter of Psusennes I. In the final years of his reign in Thebes, he assumed royal titles, reigning as king of Upper and Lower Egypt.

However, his power extended only to the areas of Upper Egypt. Archaeologists found that each brick is stamped with the names of both the king and his wife.

It is believed that the site most likely functioned as an industrial complex during its time.

Colonnade inside the Temple of Luxor, Egypt. Image credit: Olaf Tausch - CC BY 3.0

“These discoveries offer a fascinating glimpse into the economic and religious life of ancient Thebes,” said Abdel-Ghaffar Wagdy, Director General of Luxor Antiquities and the Egyptian co-director of the CFEETK. “They demonstrate the sophistication of both ceremonial and industrial infrastructure in antiquity.”

Wagdy also emphasized the importance of all the improvements in site accessibility, including new informational signage and visitor ramps for people with disabilities.

Credit: Supreme Council of Antiquities

Just recenttly, in May 2025, three ancient tombs of high-ranking officials were discovered in Luxor.

The first tomb is attributed to Amun-Em-Ipet, who served in a temple or estate dedicated to the god Amun during the Ramesside period. Despite damage to many decorations, remaining scenes depict offerings, funerary furniture processions, and a banquet.
The other two tombs date back to the early 18th Dynasty. One belongs to Baki, a supervisor of grain silos. At the same time, the other is attributed to ES, who held several titles including supervisor of the Temple of Amun in the oases, mayor of the northern oases, and scribe.

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Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer