The graves of four children, all thought to be under the age of ten at their time of death, were found during excavations at Gebel el-Silsila, which was once a quarry site during the Thutmosid period, from around 1493 BCE to 1401 BCE
The discovery was announced earlier this week with the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and Sweden’s Lund University, revealing new insight on the burial practices during the 18th century.
The archaeologists also unearthed artefacts including amulets, bracelets, and pottery.
However, it is the discovery of one child’s grave which was separate from the other three that has so far baffled the archaeologists.
While the first three children were buried in coffins with ancient treasures, a fourth child, roughly between the aged between five to eight years old, was buried “without care” according to the Luxor Times
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Meanwhile another grave contaiing the remains of a child, who was is believed to have been aged just two to three years old was found surrounded by rocks and with the remains of a wooden coffin still remaining,
However, according to Dr Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities the majority had been eaten away by termites.
The second grave contained the body of a child aged around six to nine years old.
And the archaeologists found 10 ceramic items, including beer jars, wine vessels, plates, and bowls, bronze bracelets, and a bronze razor.
The young child was also buried with jewellery which included four scarabs attached to the left wrist, and an amulet, likely displaced from its original place by beetles.
The child found in the third grave was reported to be between the ages of five and eight and had similarly been buried.
According to the archaeologists, the body was wrapped in linen and laid on reed matting, alongside three scarabs including one that contained a royal name from the dynasty, and a pottery item.
But the fourth unexplained grave appeared to have no relation to the others and was covered in quarry spoil.
Experts suggested that that could be because of illness, however, the exact cause of death is unknown.
The researchers now plan to conduct further studies on the burials to find out more about the children discovered at the site, including additional insight on their health and overall well-being as well as what may have caused their deaths.
At the site, the researchers also uncovered chambers designed for adults.
Although parts of the coffins remained intact over the years, much of the material was destroyed by floods, insects, and other natural events.