The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has announced an exciting find. We are talking about 16 well-preserved tombs, according to AFP.
The discovery was made in the necropolis of Tuna El-Gebel, 300 kilometers from Cairo. This archaeological site is famous for its many tombs and catacombs, as well as thousands of mummified ibises and baboons.
The new artifacts date from 664 to 399 BC. Burials were made during the reign of three dynasties.
Archaeologists have discovered 20 stone sarcophagi and five wooden sarcophagi. The first ones are made of limestone, some of them are engraved with hieroglyphs. The lids of stone sarcophagi are made in the form of mummies.
The lids of the sarcophagi depict the departed.
Photo by EPA.
They also discovered limestone vessels painted with paints, in which the internal organs of mummified people were placed.
Archaeologists have also unearthed about 10,000 blue and green ushabti figurines. These sculptures were placed in the grave to serve the deceased in the afterlife.
In addition, 700 scarab amulets have been found, some of which are solid gold. Finally, another amulet depicts a more exotic creature: a winged cobra.
Archaeologists have discovered thousands of ushabti figurines.
Photo by Global Look Press.
Historians believe that the tombs belonged to dignitaries, including the high priests of the god Thoth, according to the Associated Press.
The era in which the burials were made is known in Egyptian history as the Late Period. It is associated with the Persian and Ethiopian conquests and the hard struggle of the Egyptians for the country's independence. The widespread use of iron, which was previously a rarity, has also become a sign of the times.
