Tag: Saqqara

Hundreds of Ancient Egyptian Coffins found in Saqqara

On By Dr. Y.In Great CivilizationsLeave a comment
Egypt_Saqqara new findings 20220531
The painted wooden coffins were found intact in burial shafts and contained mummies, amulets and wooden boxes. Photograph: Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images

To be an archaeologist in Egypt is probably one of the highest wishes of any archaeologist out there: everyday there are new findings, and more importantly new insights into one of the world’s most ancient civilizations which happens to be African. The ancient Egyptian civilization has inspired many, and shed new light on life thousands of years ago in that area of the African continent. Few days ago, hundreds of Ancient Egyptians coffins were found at a cemetery in Saqqara; among the coffins was found a headless statue of Imhotep, Chief architect of Pharaoh Djoser‘s step pyramid, and possibly one of history’s first documented physician, and author of several wisdom texts. The mission found 250 colored wooden sarcophagi with well-preserved mummies, wooden statues and masks dating from 500 BC, as well as a cache of bronze mirrors, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more dating from the 15th century BC. Below are excerpts from an article on the Guardian. Enjoy!

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Archaeologists working near Cairo have uncovered hundreds of ancient Egyptian coffins and bronze statues of deities.

The discovery at a cemetery in Saqqara contained statues of the gods Anubis, Amun, Min, Osiris, Isis, Nefertum, Bastet and Hathor along with a headless statue of the architect Imhotep, who built the Saqqara pyramid, according to Egypt’s ministry of tourism and antiquities.

The 250 coffins, 150 bronze statues and other objects dated to the late period, about 500BC, the ministry said.

They were accompanied by a musical instrument known as a sistrum and a collection of bronze vessels used in rituals for the worship of the goddess Isis.

The painted wooden coffins were found intact in burial shafts and contained mummies, amulets and wooden boxes. Wooden statues of Nephthys and Isis from an earlier period were also found, both with gilded faces.

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Pharaonic Princess’ Tomb found in Egypt

On By Dr. Y.In Great CivilizationsLeave a comment
Three statues recently discovered in the tomb of the princess (Source: artdaily.org)
Three statues recently discovered in the tomb of the princess (Source: artdaily.org)

Archaeologists have unearthed the 4,500 year old tomb of a pharaonic princess, just south of Cairo.  This discovery may lead to the discovery of other ancient tombs from before 2,500BC.  Princess Shert Nebti‘s burial site is surrounded by the tombs of four high officials from the Fifth Dynasty dating to around 2,500 BC in the Abusir complex near the famed step pyramid of Saqqara.  Inscriptions on the four limestone pillars of the Princess’ tomb indicate that she is the daughter of King Men Salbo.  Only her tomb has been unearthed; her father, the king, or her mother, are yet to be found.  The antechamber to the princess’ tomb includes four limestone columns and hieroglyphic inscriptions.  The current excavation has also unearthed an antechamber containing the sarcophagi of the four officials and statues of men, women, and a child.