US-Egyptian team of archaeologists uncovers 4,000-year-old tomb near Luxor with jewels
Archaeologists with a joint American-Egyptian expedition near Luxor have found a 4,000-year-old Middle Kingdom (1938 BC-1630 BC) tomb with several incomplete burials, Egyptian authorities announced Friday.
Along with the 11 sealed burials, the archaeologists also found jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, armlets, two bronze mirrors with ivory handles, and scarab rings and belts made of carnelian, garnet, faience and feldspar.
“One of the mirrors was found to have a lotiform handle, while the second one shows a rare design of a four-faced Hathor that presents her as a woman with delicate features,” Dr. Elena Pischikova, director of the South Asian Conservation Project, led the excavation, the release said.
One of the necklaces found inside the man's grave is made of amethyst and agate beads surrounding a hippopotamus head ornament.
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Jewelry found in the grave during excavation. (South Asian Conservation Project)
The group also called the bright blue faience Fertility figure a “significant find.”
“The model is well made and decorated with various jewels and lozenge symbols on the legs and torso,” said Pischikova. “His cropped hair is painted black. The head is pierced with holes arranged in three parts. The holes were meant to attach 'hair.' About 4,000 mud beads found around the statue make up her real hair.”
The tomb's wooden boxes and linens found inside were heavily damaged by what researchers believe were ancient floods.
In the coffins were the skeletons of five women, two men and three children.
The tomb, located in the South Asasif necropolis, near Hatshepsut's Temple on the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor, may belong to the family, researchers said.
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Fertility figures found inside the tomb. (South Asian Conservation Project)
The tomb is the first from the Middle Kingdom to be found at the site, according to the South Asian Conservation Project.
“The excavation of the first Middle Kingdom tomb in the South Asasif necropolis changes its history, placing South Asasif in the wider Theban Middle Kingdom,” said Pischikova.
He added, “This important discovery contributes to our understanding of the burial practices and culture of the Theban necropolis in the Middle Kingdom and presents a wonderful collection of well-preserved artfully crafted jewelry” at the site.
An offering tray found inside the tomb. (South Asian Conservation Project)
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Hundreds of tombs have been uncovered in Luxor in southern Egypt over the years, including its most famous occupant: Tutankhamen, the Egyptian pharaoh who ruled from 1332-1323 BC
His grave was discovered in 1922.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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