The Graffito of Esmet-Akhom, the last known inscription written in the hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt, inscribed on Hadrian’s Gate in AD 394, Philae, Egypt. Credit: Following Hadrian. CC BY 2.0/flickr ...

And although the name of the ruler in the newly excavated tomb had once been visible in yellow bands of hieroglyphic texts, the actions of ancient grave robbers had rendered it illegible.