BRUSSELS – A mudbrick pyramid built about 3,300 years ago has been unearthed in the Egyptian city of Luxor by a team of Belgian scientists, universities in Brussels and Liege announced Thursday.

The pyramid is thought to belong to a vizier, or senior adviser, called Khay, who worked under the reign of pharaoh Ramses II around 1279-1213 B.C., judging by the stamp impressions found on the brick.

The vizier, who was the highest official under the pharaoh, would have supervised workers in charge of building the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

The pyramid, situated on the Luxor West Bank — the site of the ancient city of Thebes — originally stood about 15 meters high, and its side measured 12 meters, according to a statement by the universities.

“Located high on the hill, overlooking the memorial temple of Ramses II, the pyramid must have been an impressive landmark of the Theban landscape,” the universities wrote.

 


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