Egyptian and international archaeological teams have recently announced two groundbreaking discoveries in Sohag Governorate, located in southern Egypt. These findings include a royal tomb from the Second Intermediate Period and a fully preserved pottery workshop dating back to the Roman era. These discoveries offer fresh insights into Egypt's rich history and its cultural and economic development.
An Egyptian-American archaeological mission from the University of Pennsylvania uncovered a royal tomb in the Mount Anubis Necropolis in Abydos. This tomb dates back to the Second Intermediate Period (1700–1600 BC), a time when the Abydos Dynasty ruled Upper Egypt. The tomb is believed to belong to a king who reigned before King Senebkay, whose tomb was discovered in the same area in 2014.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized the significance of this discovery. He noted that the tomb provides new evidence about the evolution of royal burial practices in the Mount Anubis Necropolis, which served as a burial site for several kings of the Abydos Dynasty. Although the name of the tomb's owner remains unknown, preliminary findings suggest it holds great historical importance.
According to Joseph Wagner, head of the Egyptian-American mission, the tomb is located 7 meters below ground level and features a burial chamber constructed from limestone. The chamber is covered by mudbrick vaults that originally reached a height of 5 meters. Inside the tomb, inscriptions depicting the goddesses Isis and Nephthys were found on either side of the entrance. Additionally, yellow inscription bands bearing the king's name in hieroglyphs were discovered, resembling the style of decorations found in King Senebkay's tomb.
The Mount Anubis Necropolis is one of the most significant royal burial sites in Abydos. It was chosen by King Senusret III (1874–1855 BC) for his monumental tomb, making it a central burial ground for subsequent rulers, including the kings of the Abydos Dynasty. This discovery marks an important step in understanding the history of royal tombs and sheds light on the political developments of the Second Intermediate Period.
The Roman-Era Pottery Workshop
In the village of Banawit, an Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a complete pottery workshop from the Roman era. This workshop was one of the largest factories supplying the Ninth Nome with pottery and glass vessels. The site revealed a number of ovens and large storerooms used for storing pottery. Additionally, 32 ostraca (pottery fragments) inscribed with Demotic and Greek scripts were found, detailing commercial transactions and tax payment methods from that era.
Historical Transformations of the Site
Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, explained that the site was initially used during the Byzantine era but was later repurposed as a cemetery between the 7th and 14th centuries AD. The mission discovered several mudbrick tombs containing mass burials of men, women, and children. Among the notable findings were:
A mummy of a child placed in a sleeping position, adorned with a colorful textile hat.
The skull of a woman in her thirties.
Remains of ancient plants, such as wheat roots, barley seeds, and doum palms, offering insights into agricultural practices during that period.
Significance of the Discoveries
These discoveries not only enhance our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization but also highlight Sohag's importance as an economic and industrial center during the Roman era. The pottery workshop, in particular, provides valuable evidence of the region's role in trade and craftsmanship.
Sherif Fathy, Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized that these discoveries will contribute to Egypt's tourism diversity and support researchers in their studies of the region's history. He also highlighted the critical role played by the Supreme Council of Antiquities in preserving and uncovering Egypt's cultural heritage.
In conclusion, these remarkable findings in Sohag Governorate underscore the enduring legacy of ancient Egypt and its continuous ability to reveal new secrets about its past. They also reaffirm the importance of international collaboration in archaeological research, offering fresh perspectives on one of the world's most fascinating civilizations.
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