Archaeologists made the discovery of the tomb which is the first of its kind due to the fact that it dates back nearly 4,000 years and contains the remains of 11 people
A 4,000 year old Egyptian tomb filled with the remains of 11 people, including children, has been discovered in a groundbreaking find.
The archaeological team stumbled upon the final resting place of 11 souls, men, women, and youngsters alike, indicating it served as a familial burial ground across generations during the 12th and 13th Dynasties.
This remarkable discovery marks the first Middle Kingdom tomb, dating from 2040 BC to 1630 BC, to be unearthed in this locale. The deceased were positioned side by side, their heads alternating directions, as revealed by the South Asasif Conservation Project’s researchers.
Regrettably, floods had ravaged the wooden sarcophagi and linen wrappings, yet amidst the ruins, figurines and jewellery stood the test of time.
In addition, the archaeologists uncovered two copper mirrors, one adorned with a lotus handle, the other bearing an image of Hathor – the revered Egyptian deity of the sky, women, fertility, and love, reports the Mirror US.
Situated adjacent to the Temple of Hatshepsut on Luxor’s west bank along the Nile, this tomb adds a new chapter to the history of the area. Katherine Blakeney, the American lead archaeologist, said: “The unearthing of the first Middle Kingdom tomb in the South Asasif necropolis alters its history, placing South Asasif within the sprawling Theban Middle Kingdom necropolis.”
Among the unearthed skeletons were five women, two men, and three children, with the eleventh member’s age and gender remaining a mystery.
The discovery was made as restorers attempted to rebuild the tomb of Karabaskin, a 25th Dynasty mayor of Thebes and fourth priest of Amun, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MTA).
This significant find has reshaped our knowledge of South Asasif’s past. It was previously believed that burials only took place during the 18th, 22nd, 25th and 26th dynasties of ancient Egypt, spanning from 1550 BC to 525 BC.
The MTA suggests that the tombs likely belonged to the region’s top 12 families. Most of the jewellery was discovered amongst the female remains, save for an exquisite necklace found in one of the male tombs.
The necklace, composed of 30 amethyst beads and two agate beads encircling a hippopotamus head, signified the family’s high status, particularly the man’s.
This is supported by the symbolism of the hippopotamus, which was seen as a representation of the Nile River’s might and was often buried with the deceased to safeguard them in the afterlife.
Hippopotamus figurines were commonly found in Middle Kingdom tombs and were sometimes portrayed as the pregnant goddess Taweret, symbolising fertility and protection.
“Such craftsmanship underscores the cultural and artistic sophistication of the Middle Kingdom,” Blakeney told Archaeology Magazine. The US team is poised to carry out further digs in the region to uncover more secrets of the ancient burial site and illuminate the lives of its dwellers during the Middle Kingdom period.