Archaeologists have unearthed the first ancient Egyptian tomb of its kind dating back almost 4,000 years.
The burial chamber contained the remains of 11 men, women and children, suggesting that it was a family cemetery used for generations during the 12th and 13th dynasties.
The find marks the first Middle Kingdom tomb discovered in the area, spanning from 1938 BC to 1630 BC
American and Egyptian researchers from the Southern Asasif Conservation Project noted that the bodies lay side by side in wooden coffins, with their heads facing alternating directions.
Although the ancient floods had destroyed the wooden coffins and their linen wrappings, researchers found that items such as figurines and jewelry, including a necklace and an amulet with a hippopotamus head, were still intact.
Among the treasures were two copper mirrors, one had a lotus-shaped handle and the other had a design of Hathor, the Egyptian goddess of the sky, women, fertility and love.
The tomb was discovered next to Hatshepsut’s temple on the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor.
Katherine Blakeney, the leading American archaeologist, said: “The discovery of the first Middle Kingdom tomb in the South Asasif necropolis alters its history, placing South Asasif within the extensive Theban necropolis of the Middle Kingdom.”
Researchers plan to continue excavations to find other artifacts that could shed light on how people lived during the Middle Kingdom in Egypt.
The artifacts included a bead necklace made of amethyst that was discovered while archaeologists were conducting restoration efforts on the tomb of Karabaskin, an official of the 25th Dynasty.
Researchers identified skeletons belonging to five women, two men and three children, and the sex and age of the last member of the family is still unknown.
The discovery was made during restoration efforts on the tomb of Karabaskin, a 25th Dynasty mayor of Thebes and fourth priest of Amun, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MTA).
Archaeologists said the find has altered the history of South Asasif, which was previously believed to only contain burials from the 18th, 22nd, 25th and 26th dynasties of ancient Egypt, from 1550 BC. C. until 525 BC. c.
The tombs probably date back to the region’s 12 most important families, the MTA said, adding that the find could contribute to archaeologists’ understanding of funerary practices and rituals of the time.
Most of the jewelry was found among the woman’s remains, except for an exquisite necklace that was discovered in one of the men’s graves.
This was perhaps the most notable of the discoveries because the necklace, which consisted of 30 amethyst beads and two agate beads surrounding the head of a hippopotamus, indicated that the man occupied a high position.
During the Middle Theban Kingdom, the hippopotamus was considered of utmost importance because it represented the power of the Nile River and was often buried in tombs to protect the deceased as they entered the afterlife.
Hippopotamus figures were commonly found in tombs of the Middle Kingdom and were sometimes depicted as the pregnant goddess Taweret, signifying fertility and protection.
This necklace was considered the most important because it was the only one that belonged to a man and may have meant that he belonged to a higher position.
Archaeologists found necklaces, bracelets and other artifacts in the tomb that mainly belonged to women.
The animal also decorated red agate necklaces, bracelets, rings and belts that were still in good condition when the tomb was opened.
“This craftsmanship underlines the cultural and artistic sophistication of the Middle Kingdom,” Blakeney said. Archeology Magazine.
The Egyptians who lived during the Middle Kingdom experienced a period of prosperity and political stability.
After decades of disorder, they built a strong centralized government and had prosperous trade and successful agriculture that led to abundant food production and a prosperous economy.
The pharaohs of the 12th Dynasty were considered “good shepherds” who actively cared for their people, and members of the middle class saw their lives improve as they gained access to more consumer goods.
The Middle Kingdom is believed to have reached its peak during this era, when the pharaohs Amenemhet I and Senusret I fostered the prosperity and cultural, artistic and literary achievements of the people.
The American team said it now plans to conduct additional excavations in the area to reveal more aspects of the ancient tomb and shed light on how its inhabitants lived during the Middle Kingdom era.
