Ancient priestess's tomb reveals treasures in Egyptian shaft
Coffins with inscriptions and jars containing human organs from ancient Egypt have been discovered in a 14-metre shaft. The beautifully decorated coffin and burial chamber belonged to an ancient Egyptian priestess who lived nearly 4,000 years ago.
14 November 2024 09:07
Archaeologists made a surprising discovery in the ancient Egyptian necropolis of Asyut, located along the Nile. Excavations have been conducted there for over twenty years.
Researchers discovered a valuable chamber located behind a stone quarry wall at the bottom of a vertical shaft 14 metres deep. It contained two intricately decorated coffins – one 2.3 metres long, the other 2.6 metres long.
Another important finding was a chest containing canopic jars, which stored organs removed during the mummification process, including the liver, stomach, lungs, and intestines.
It is typical for these jars to be adorned with the heads of the Four Sons of Horus, with each organ protected by a specific deity: Hapy (lungs), Imsety (liver), Duamutef (stomach), and Qebehsenuef (intestines).
The chamber dates to around 1880 BC. In ancient times, grave robbers looted it, likely taking jewellery and metal items, but most of the burial goods remained intact.
Excavations of this shaft began in 2022 and involved three excavation campaigns.
The ongoing excavations in the tomb are an international endeavour involving the Free University of Berlin, Sohag University in Egypt, Kanazawa University in Japan, and the Polish Academy of Sciences. All discovered artefacts have been handed over to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
