Large Number of Ancient Egyptian Tombs Discovered Near Cairo

May 24, 2010 / 1 Comment

Cairo (ICN) – 57 ancient Egyptian tombs have been discovered in one of the biggest archaeological discoveries in recent times by Egypt Archaeologists. Most of these newly unearthed tombs have a richly painted wooden sarcophagus or coffin with a mummy lying inside. This was announced by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities on Sunday (Yesterday).

Mideast Egypt Archaeology

Photo by AP

A careful examination of the Tombs has led the Archaeologists to believe that the oldest tombs of these 57 tombs date way back to around 2750 B.C. When Egypt’s first and second dynasties used to rule the kingdom. The Council revealed this in a statement. Furthermore, the statement also states that twelve of the recovered tombs are from the 18th dynasty of Egypt and this dynasty ruled Egypt during the second millennium B.C.

This discovery is very significant for the researchers of Ancient Egypt as it sheds new insights on Egypt’s ancient religions and beliefs, the council further said.

Regarding the discovery, Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s archaeology chief, said that the mummies which belong to the 18th dynasty are dating to the 18th dynasty are wrapped in linen which are ornamented with religious texts from the Book of the Dead. They also exhibit scenes of ancient Egyptian deities.

Abdel Rahman El-Aydi, who headed this archaeological mission which ultimately unearthed the tombs announced that a number of these tombs painted with significant religious texts as the people of ancient Egypt believed it would enable the dead to easily go through the underworld.

Another important fact revealed by El-Aydi is that luckily one of the oldest sarcophagi is almost completely untouched and intact. It has almost all its funerary utensils as well as a wooden sarcophagus which houses the mummy wrapped in linen.

Furthermore, in as many as 31 tombs which are estimated to be belonging to around 2030-1840 B.C, archaeologists found various scenes ancient Egyptian deities like, Horus, Hathor, Khnum and Amun.

The council also announced that this discovery was unearthed at Lahoun, in Fayoum which is situated around 70 miles south of Egyptian capital Cairo.

Incidentally, during the previous year around 53 stone tombs of different ancient eras were found at the same area.