Apr 11, 2021 - World

In photos: Egypt unveils 3,000-year-old "lost golden city"

Rebecca Falconer

A picture taken on April 10, 2021, shows a view of a 3000 year old city, dubbed The Rise of Aten, dating to the reign of Amenhotep III, uncovered by the Egyptian mission near Luxor — A view on Saturday of the city, dating to the reign of Amenhotep III, uncovered near Luxor. Photo: Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

A top Egyptian archaeologist on Saturday outlined details of a newly rediscovered "lost golden city" near Luxor that dates back more than 3,000 years.

Why it matters: Zahi Hawass told NBC News the large ancient city, unveiled Thursday, tells archaeologists for the first time "about the life of the people during the Golden Age." Johns Hopkins University Egyptology professor Betsy Brian said in a statement it's "the second most important archeological discovery since the tomb of Tutankhamen."

Workers covering a skeleton at the archaeological site of a 3000 year old city, dubbed The Rise of Aten, dating to the reign of Amenhotep III, uncovered by the Egyptian mission near Luxor. — Workers covering a skeleton at the archaeological site in the desert. Archaeologists say it's the largest ever found in Egypt. Photo: Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

Workers carrying a pot at the archaeological site of a 3000 year old city, dubbed The Rise of Aten, dating to the reign of Amenhotep III, uncovered by the Egyptian mission near Luxor. — Workers carrying a pot at the site. Hawass told reporters Saturday an inscription found there "says that this city was called: 'The dazzling Aten,'" per AP. Photo: Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

Workers carrying a fish covered in gold uncovered at the archaeological site of a 3000 year old city — Workers carrying a fish covered in gold uncovered at the ancient city. Archeologists were looking for a "mortuary temple of boy King Tutankham" when they began excavations last year, AP reports. Photo: Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

Workers standing next to a display of artifacts uncovered at the archaeological site of a 3000 year old city — Workers standing beside a display of artifacts uncovered at the site. Photo: Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

A worker repairs an archaeological find, part of the discovery of a 3000 year-old lost city on April 10 — A worker repairs an archaeological find at the city. Photo: Mahmoud Khaled/Getty Images

Workers carrying pots at the archaeological site of a 3000 year old city, dubbed The Rise of Aten — Workers carrying pots at the site. Photo: Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

Go deeper: Egypt holds grand procession of ancient mummies in Cairo