Two possible identities are offered for the linen-wrapped remains found in a tomb outside the southern Egyptian city of Luxor.

An aerial picture taken from a hot air balloon on September 10, 2017 shows the Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as the Djeser-Djeseru ('Holy of Holies') in the southern Egyptian town of Luxor. / AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: The Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as the Djeser-Djeseru ('Holy of Holies') in the Egyptian town of Luxor

Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a new mummy in a previously unexplored tomb near the city of Luxor.

According to Egypt's antiquities ministry, the mummy was found in one of two tombs which are being explored for the first time since being found twenty years ago.

The tombs, which are located just across the Nile from Luxor, were found by German archaeologist Frederica Kampp in the 1990s.

They are believed to date back to the ancient Egyptian dynasties of the New Kingdom, which lasted from 1,550-1,070 BC.

Authorities are exploring the tombs as Egypt attempts to encourage tourists to visit its ancient sites.

Antiquities Minister Khaled al Enany announced the discovery in Luxor, near to the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun was buried.

"It's truly an exceptional day," he said.

"The 18th dynasty private tombs were already known. But it's the first time to enter inside the two tombs."

A picture taken on September 9, 2017 shows an Egyptian labourer unearthing mummies at a newly-uncovered ancient tomb for a goldsmith dedicated to the ancient Egyptian god Amun, in the Draa Abul Naga necropolis on the west bank of the ancient city of Luxor, which boasts ancient Egyptian temples and burial grounds. The finds at the tomb of 'Amun's Goldsmith, Amenemhat', which dates back to the New Kingdom (16th to 11th centuries BC), also contained a sculpture carved into a recess of him seated be
Image: An Egyptian labourer unearthing mummies

The antiquities ministry said archaeologists found "a mummy wrapped in linen" which studies suggested "could be for a top official or a powerful person".

It added that it believed the mummy could be of "a person named Djehuty Mes whose name was engraved on one of the walls".

Alternately, it could belong to "the scribe Maati, as his name and the name of his wife Mehi were inscribed on 50 funerary cones found in the tomb's rectangular chamber".

Only one of the two tombs was excavated.

The ministry said: "The tomb has a court lined with stone and mud-brick walls. It has a six-metre deep burial shaft at its southern side that lead to four side chambers."

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"Studies reveal that the tomb was reused in antiquity," the ministry added.

The explored tomb contained a depiction of "a person, probably the deceased's brother, presenting offerings and flowers to the deceased and his wife" according to the ministry.

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