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Archaeologists Unearth Pharaoh’s Tomb in Abydos, Egypt
Archaeologists have announced the discovery of a substantial limestone tomb, the final resting place of a yet-to-be-identified ancient Egyptian pharaoh. The burial chamber, located near the city of Abydos, dates back approximately 3,600 years to a tumultuous phase in ancient Egyptian history known as the Second Intermediate Period. This significant archaeological find adds to our understanding of pharaonic Egypt and the lesser-known rulers of this era.
Second Royal Tomb Discovery of the Year
The unearthing of this tomb, situated seven meters (23 feet) beneath the surface at the ancient necropolis of Anubis Mountain, was jointly declared by archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania Museum and their Egyptian counterparts. Notably, this marks the second announcement this year of the discovery of a tomb belonging to an ancient Egyptian monarch, highlighting the ongoing rich archaeological discoveries in Egypt.
Details of the Burial Chamber
The tomb chamber, explored in January in Abydos, a prominent city in ancient Egypt roughly 10 km (6 miles) from the Nile River, was found empty. It appears to have been looted by tomb robbers in antiquity. Originally, hieroglyphic inscriptions on plastered brickwork at the tomb’s entrance, along with painted depictions of the sister goddesses Isis and Nephthys, recorded the name of the pharaoh entombed within.
Pharaoh’s Identity Remains Elusive
“Although his name was present in the inscriptions, it has unfortunately been lost due to the destructive actions of ancient tomb raiders. Potential candidates for the pharaoh include kings Senaiib and Paentjeni, known from monuments in Abydos – rulers from this period – but whose tombs had previously remained undiscovered,” stated Josef Wegner, a University of Pennsylvania professor of Egyptian archaeology and co-director of the excavation. He made these remarks on Thursday.
Architectural Features of the Tomb
Beyond the decorated entryway, the burial chamber also comprised a series of additional rooms. These rooms were topped with five-meter (16-foot) high vaults constructed from mudbrick, showcasing the architectural techniques of the time.
Significance of the Second Intermediate Period
The tomb’s age places it within the Second Intermediate Period, spanning from 1640 BC to 1540 BC. This era served as a bridge between the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom periods, a time when Egyptian pharaohs held immense power and influence in the region.
“Warring States” Period
“The political landscape of this era is captivating and still not fully understood. It can be described as a ‘warring states’ period, which ultimately paved the way for the emergence of Egypt’s New Kingdom,” explained Wegner, who also serves as curator of the Penn Museum’s Egyptian section.
The Abydos Dynasty
Among the entities of this time was the Abydos Dynasty, a group of kings who governed a portion of Upper Egypt, representing the southern part of the Egyptian territory.
Fragmented Egypt
“Egypt was fragmented, with potentially up to four competing kingdoms, including the Hyksos in the Nile Delta,” Wegner noted. “The Abydos Dynasty was one of these. The processes by which it dissolved and subsequently reunified involve crucial questions regarding social, political, and technological shifts.”
Tomb’s Location and Context
The tomb of the unidentified pharaoh is situated within the larger tomb complex of an earlier, powerful pharaoh, Neferhotep I. According to Wegner, its architectural style reveals links to earlier Middle Kingdom tombs and later royal tombs of the Second Intermediate Period.
Earliest Tomb of the Abydos Dynasty?
“It appears to be the most substantial and earliest tomb associated with the Abydos Dynasty discovered so far. There might be others in the vicinity, adjacent to the tomb of Neferhotep I,” Wegner speculated.
Previous Discoveries
Wegner’s archaeological team previously unearthed the tomb of another Abydos Dynasty ruler, Seneb-Kay, in 2014, demonstrating the area’s continued archaeological significance.
Ongoing Excavations
“The newly discovered king’s tomb is likely an earlier counterpart to that of Seneb-Kay. There are potentially more tombs in this area. Work in royal cemeteries progresses gradually and meticulously, hence the results take time to materialize,” Wegner explained. Excavations in the area are currently ongoing, hinting at further potential discoveries.
Historical Context
The Second Intermediate Period commenced almost a millennium after the construction of the monumental Giza pyramids outside Cairo, which served as tombs for certain Old Kingdom pharaohs. Later, many New Kingdom pharaohs were entombed in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, including Tutankhamun, famously known as King Tut. King Tut’s 14th century BC tomb, remarkably filled with its original contents, was discovered in 1922, becoming one of the most celebrated archaeological finds in history.
Recent Tomb Identification Near Luxor
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on February 18 the identification of an ancient tomb near Luxor dating back to the 15th century BC. A joint Egyptian-British archaeological team determined it to be the tomb of New Kingdom pharaoh Thutmose II. These recent discoveries continue to enrich our understanding of ancient Egyptian history and culture.