An American archaeological mission working at Mot temple in Luxor unearthed a statue of Queen Tye, wife of Amenhotep III.

The statue was found under one of the Amenhotep statues representing the second edifice of ancient Egyptians.

Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Zahi Hawwas said the newly unearthed statue was holding a cartouche of Amenhotep III.

Hawwas said the Council and Luxor city is embarking on a pilot project to salvage the area of Amenhotep III on the western bank of the River Nile.

Hawwas said SCA will coordinate with the Luxor City Supreme Council for establishing a fence around Amenhotep III Temple and Memnon statues on the western bank of the Nile to protect the area from transgression and to organize the movement of tourism .