While the followers of the Argentinian National Football Team eagerly await the match against Egypt in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, another group of Argentinians is making history far from the fields. An interdisciplinary team of experts from CONICET is conducting a complex archaeological investigation in the Theban Tomb 93 in Luxor, Egypt.
Argentinian Science Team in Luxor
This ambitious project is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, led by Dr. Bernarda Marconetto and Dr. Lucas Gheco. The team studies the relationship between the current local community and the monument, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This approach reveals how the site is a living space filled with collective memories and historical forgetfulness.
Anthropologists analyze the social impact of heritage on the inhabitants of modern Luxor, who protect the ancient site. This comprehensive analysis shows that the history of the tomb continues, even after thousands of years, thanks to the exchange of knowledge with local inspectors.
Like a coach reviewing tactics, this “team” of scientists traces a material biography of the monument, while Egyptian researchers document the multiple interventions the structure has undergone. Originally built over 3,000 years ago, the site has served various community and residential purposes.
The scientific analysis spans from the ancient dynastic era to modern changes, providing a testimony of how diverse societies interacted with this sacred space. To unravel this enigma, the teams apply digital methodologies and advanced analytical techniques to preserve the murals and bas-reliefs, while facing natural wear and mass tourism.
This team had already achieved significant discoveries in previous campaigns, such as the identification of ancient soot and textile fragments, which offer clues about the climate and vegetation from thousands of years ago. These findings were analyzed in Argentine laboratories using microscopy and absolute dating techniques, demonstrating the continuity of social life after the fall of the pharaohs.
This mission underscores the technical excellence of Argentine scientists, who, like their footballer compatriots, leave an indelible mark on universal history, making science a bridge between cultures and times.
