2,000-Year-Old Tamil-Brahmi Inscriptions in Egypt's Valley of the Kings Reveal Ancient Trade Links

Ancient Ties Between India and Egypt

Researchers documented about 30 inscriptions across six tombs in the Valley of the Kings, part of ancient Thebes. Twenty are in Tamil-Brahmi, with the rest in Sanskrit and Prakrit. This diversity indicates travelers from across India, including merchants dealing in high-value items like spices. The site, best known for pharaohs like Tutankhamun, now shows evidence of Indian visitors.

Breakthrough Tamil Inscriptions

Professors Ingo Strauch from the University of Lausanne's Department of Slavic and South Asian Studies and Charlotte Schmid from EFEO in Paris announced the find at a Tamil Epigraphy conference hosted by Tamil Nadu's State Department of Archaeology, as reported by Deccan Herald. A standout is "Cikai Korran" (modern Tamil: Sigai Korran), a Tamil trader's name appearing eight times in five tombs. "I couldn't believe finding Tamil inscriptions in Egypt," Strauch told Deccan Herald. "These tombs get millions of visitors, yet no one spotted them before. In tomb 14, his name was the only graffiti in a 6-meter-high space."

India's Vast Trade Networks

Professor K. Rajan, TNSDA advisor, explained that India's trade spanned from the Indus Valley era into historic times, with goods flowing mostly westward. A key phase involved coastal hubs like Gujarat and Tamilagam (including Muziri in Kerala), where Tamil served as a trade lingua franca. Romans craved Indian pepper and luxuries, and these inscriptions bolster proof of ties to the Roman Empire. They also link to longer Indian-language finds at Berenike, a Red Sea port excavated for decades.

Visiting the Valley of the Kings

Location

On the Nile's west bank near Luxor (ancient Thebes), 500 km south of Cairo, within the UNESCO-listed Theban Necropolis.

Why Visit

Royal tombs from the New Kingdom (16th–11th centuries BC) house pharaohs like Tutankhamun, featuring stunning paintings, hieroglyphs, and architecture. Over 60 tombs discovered.

Best Time

October to April for milder weather; summers hit over 40°C.

Tickets and Tips

General tickets cover select tombs; extras needed for stars like Tutankhamun's. Photography may require a pass. Go early to beat heat and crowds.

Getting There

Fly into Luxor International Airport, then taxi or tour (30–40 minutes from the city).

Today, the Valley draws crowds to ancient Egypt's wonders, but these inscriptions whisper of Indian traders who crossed oceans, reshaping our view of early global links.