Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt unveils restored Southern Chapels at Karnak’s Akhmenu Temple
In a significant breakthrough for Egyptian heritage and tourism, the newly restored Southern Chapels of the Akhmenu Temple at Karnak were officially opened to visitors, signaling continued collaboration between Egypt and France in the preservation of ancient monuments.
The restoration and reopening project, carried out by the Egyptian-French Center for the Study of Karnak Temples (CFEETK), marks an important addition to Egypt’s cultural tourism portfolio. Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized the strategic importance of the new site, stating that it forms part of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ directive to expand access to previously unseen archaeological sites, especially for cultural tourism enthusiasts.
During his visit to Luxor, Dr. Khaled commended the extensive efforts on the Southern Chapels, which included comprehensive cleaning, structural restoration, and detailed documentation of religious scenes and inscriptions. This collaboration, according to Dr. Khaled, exemplifies the fruitful partnership between Egypt and France in protecting Egypt’s ancient heritage.
Mohamed Abdel Badi, Head of Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council, noted that the restoration brought to light several important inscriptions. Among these are depictions of royal rituals performed to honor the god Amun, vibrant scenes from Pharaoh Thutmose III’s Heb-Sed (jubilee) celebration, and a detailed foundation text identifying the temple as “a temple of millions of years” dedicated to Amun-Ra and the deities of Karnak.
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar Wagdy, Director-General of Luxor Antiquities and Egyptian co-director at CFEETK, highlighted visitor experience enhancements, with new information signage and improved accessibility for people with disabilities, including dedicated ramps.
Akhmenu Temple, dating to the reign of Thutmose III (circa 1479–1425 BCE), is a major monument of the New Kingdom, central to the worship of Amun-Ra at Karnak. The Southern Chapels, situated immediately to the right of the main temple entrance, comprise seven shrines and two large columned rooms connected by an internal corridor. The building is notable for its exceptional preservation, with vivid colored wall reliefs and significant portions of its original roofs and walls still intact.
Beyond restoration, Dr. Khaled also inspected several ongoing Egyptian-led excavations in Luxor. At the Asasif area in Qurna, archaeologists uncovered a number of small, uninscribed wooden coffins, mostly belonging to children and in a poor state of preservation. Further studies by specialists will aim to date the find and analyze the human remains.
At the Nag’ Abu Asba site in Karnak, Dr. Wagdy reported the discovery of a large mudbrick wall dating back to the 21st Dynasty, bearing royal inscriptions, as well as a sandstone gate, various workshops including a major beer brewing facility, bronze Osirian statues, amulets, coins, and industrial kilns, all suggesting the area’s historic role as an industrial center.
Meanwhile, in Asasif, the Egyptian mission retrieved several limestone and pottery ostraca, and remnants from undisturbed burial contexts, providing valuable insights into the funerary practices and daily life of ancient Thebes.
These restorations and discoveries not only enhance the visitor experience at Egypt’s heritage sites but also contribute significantly to the world’s understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization.