The discovery was announced by participants of the Egyptian-American mission dedicated to preserving the monuments of South Asasif, operating under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
In the South Asasif necropolis in Luxor, researchers stumbled upon a tomb dating back to the Middle Kingdom (2040-1783 BC). This is the first tomb from that period found in this area. According to the scholars, the burials date back to the 20th to 18th centuries BC.
Archaeologists uncovered an astonishing collection of burial artifacts that reflect the wealth of those interred there.
What Did the Researchers Reveal?
The tomb, which had been hidden for millennia near the Temple of Hatshepsut, was right under the noses of tourists and archaeologists—it contained 11 burials of men, women, and children.
The female graves held exquisite jewelry in excellent condition. Among the items were necklaces, amulets, scarab rings, belts, two copper mirrors with ivory handles, and bracelets made of semi-precious stones.
“One of the mirrors found has a handle shaped like a lotus, while the other features a rather rare depiction of the four-faced goddess Hathor, represented as a woman with strong facial features,” stated Elena Pishikova, the head of the excavation and director of the South Asasif Cultural Heritage Preservation Project, in a press release.
Among the treasures, the researchers discovered amulets shaped like the heads of a hippopotamus, a hawk, a snake, and Egyptian deities. Among the exquisite jewelry, the team was particularly drawn to a necklace made of 30 amethyst barrel beads with an amazonite amulet at its center, as well as a belt made of carnelian round beads. An important find was a faience figurine, which likely symbolized fertility, as reported by Arkeonews. According to the excavation leader, the figurine is well-crafted and beautifully decorated. Interestingly, its head is pierced with holes intended for attaching “hair” made from about 4,000 clay beads found nearby.
The researchers suggested that the tomb likely served as a burial site for a wealthy family over several centuries. Most of the jewelry found was associated with the female graves, while one man and the children were buried without any burial goods.
In contrast, one male burial contained yet another stunning necklace. This piece was made up of 40 faience spherical beads and two cylindrical carnelian beads, framing an amulet in the shape of a hippopotamus head.