Archaeologists have unearthed what is believed to be the largest ancient city ever found in Egypt, with experts hailing the discovery as one of the most important finds since Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered nearly a century ago.

Famed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, who announced the discovery, said the “lost golden city” was unveiled near Luxor, home of the Valley of the Kings, about 300 miles south of Cairo, Egypt’s capital.

Experts believed the city was built more than 3,000 years ago during the reign of Amenhotep III, who was one of the most powerful pharaohs of Egypt. The archaeology team that made the discovery said the find of the ancient city, known as Aten, is the largest ever uncovered in Egypt.

After seven months of excavations, which began in September of last year, the team unearthed several neighborhoods, including a bakery that had ovens and storage pottery, as well as administrative and residential districts.

“Within weeks, to the team’s great surprise, formations of mud bricks began to appear in all directions,” said the archaeologists in a statement. “What they unearthed was the site of a large city in a good condition of preservation, with almost complete walls, and with rooms filled with tools of daily life.”

As reported by The Guardian, other valuable ancient items included jewelry, colored pottery vessels, scarab beetle amulets, and mud bricks bearing the seals of Amenhotep III, who ruled for nearly four decades — a reign known for its opulence and the splendor of its monuments.

“The archaeological layers have laid untouched for thousands of years, left by the ancient residents as if it were yesterday,” said the team. Betsy Bryan, Professor of Egyptian art and archaeology at Johns Hopkins University said she hopes the exciting finding “will give us a rare glimpse into the life of the Ancient Egyptians at the time where the empire was at his wealthiest.”

Image source: CNN