Egypt-Japan mission reveals 4,000-year-old tomb and artifacts in Saqqara

A joint mission led by Waseda University and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has uncovered a rock-cut tomb in Saqqara, Egypt, believed to be more than 4,000 years old.

Egypt-Japan mission reveals 4,000-year-old tomb and artifacts in SaqqaraSaqqara pyramid and boat pit. Credit: Panegyrics of Granovetter

The tomb, dating back to the Second Dynasty (2649-2150 BCE), yielded a wealth of historical artifacts, including burials, architectural elements, and various objects.

According to Ahram Online, among the remarkable findings are the remains of a human buried with a colored mask. Additionally, a burial site for a small child from the Second Dynasty was discovered. The tomb’s intricate design provides valuable information about the craftsmanship of ancient Egyptian builders.

A coffin from the 18th Dynasty (1550-1295 BCE) containing a well-preserved alabaster vessel was also uncovered, alongside burials from the Ptolemaic eras.

Two terracotta statues, portraying the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis and the child deity Harpocrates, were among the notable discoveries. Isis held an initial prominence in ancient Egyptian funerary practices, while Harpocrates became ᴀssociated with silence and the safeguarding of secrets during the Ptolemaic periods.

Additionally, the trove included various amulets, pottery models, and ostraca featuring hieratic inscriptions. Nozomu Kawai, head of the Japanese team said: “The mission has documented all the discoveries. We hope to uncover more secrets of the Saqqara archaeological site in the upcoming seasons, further enriching our understanding of this historically significant area.”

Mustafa Waziri, the SCA’s secretary-general, highlighted the collaboration’s success, noting that it has added a new chapter to Saqqara’s rich history. He stated, “The artifacts and burials uncovered provide a window into the lives of those who lived in this ancient civilization.”

The intricate design of the rock-cut tomb and the pottery found within it serve as crucial markers for understanding the historical context of its creation. The archaeological mission has diligently documented all discoveries.

Related Posts

Lost medieval tale The Song of Wade decoded by Cambridge scholars solving 130-year-old Chaucerian mystery

Lost medieval tale The Song of Wade decoded by Cambridge scholars solving 130-year-old Chaucerian mystery

A literary enigma that has puzzled scholars for more than a century might have finally been unraveled. Researchers at Cambridge University have reinterpreted a fragment of the…

Medieval Hungarians continued eating horsemeat for centuries despite Christian influence, new study reveals

Medieval Hungarians continued eating horsemeat for centuries despite Christian influence, new study reveals

A recent archaeological study is rewriting our understanding of medieval food and the Christian influence on the foodways of Europe. Contrary to long-held ᴀssumptions that Christianity led…

Ancient elk petroglyphs in Mongolia show 12,000-year shift from realism to wolf-like symbols

Ancient elk petroglyphs in Mongolia show 12,000-year shift from realism to wolf-like symbols

A new study, published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal by Dr. Esther Jacobson-Tepfer, reveals an astonishing transformation in elk images in 12,000 years of Altai rock art…

Wild hyenas in Tanzania found to disturb prehistoric campsite remains, study shows

Wild hyenas in Tanzania found to disturb prehistoric campsite remains, study shows

A recent expedition to Tanzania by the SCAVENGERS project team has revealed that wild hyenas can significantly alter the archaeological record of early human campsites. Led by…

Ancient rural settlement in Fordingbridge reveals Iron Age to Roman transition, daily life, and industry

Ancient rural settlement in Fordingbridge reveals Iron Age to Roman transition, daily life, and industry

Archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology have revealed the remains of a previously unknown rural settlement on the western edge of Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England. The excavation, ahead of a…

Medieval leather treasures unearthed in Oslo reveal shoes, bags, and daily life 700 years ago

Medieval leather treasures unearthed in Oslo reveal shoes, bags, and daily life 700 years ago

Archaeologists excavating Oslo’s historic neighborhood of Bjørvika have uncovered a trove of medieval leather artifacts—over 2,900 pieces, including hundreds of beautifully preserved shoes, bags, and knife sheaths….