Greek-Roman Tombs with Hieroglyphic Inscriptions Discovered Near Aga Khan Mausoleum in Aswan
In a significant archaeological breakthrough, a joint Egyptian-Italian mission has unearthed a series of rock-cut tombs dating back to the Greek and Roman periods near the Aga Khan Mausoleum on Aswan's western bank. The discovery, made through a collaboration between Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Milan, adds to the growing list of remarkable finds in the region.
The newly discovered tombs, carved directly into the rock, contain well-preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions that shed light on ancient funerary practices and religious symbolism. Among the most notable findings this season is Tomb No. 38, distinguished by its exceptional architectural design and structural condition.
Located more than two meters underground, the tomb is accessed via a nine-step stone staircase flanked by mudbrick platforms once used for placing funerary offerings. Inside, archaeologists uncovered a nearly two-meter-tall limestone sarcophagus resting atop a platform hewn from the rock itself. The sarcophagus features a human-shaped lid with distinct facial features, a stylized wig, and intricate decorative elements.
Two vertical columns of hieroglyphic text on the sarcophagus record prayers to local deities of Aswan and identify the tomb's owner as 'Ka-Mesiu,' a high-ranking official of his time. The inscriptions also include names of his family members. Several mummies were also found within the tomb, including those of children.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy praised the discovery as a significant addition to Aswan's cultural heritage, highlighting the richness and diversity of ancient Egyptian civilization across different historical periods. He emphasized the importance of international academic collaboration in supporting archaeological research and expanding our understanding of ancient societies.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the cemetery's continued use by multiple social classes demonstrates the area's long-standing funerary significance. He added that the hieroglyphic texts and burial artifacts will offer valuable material for Egyptologists studying the religious and social customs of the later periods of ancient Egypt.
Khaled also announced that the newly discovered mummies, including those of children, will undergo CT scans and biological analysis during the upcoming autumn season. These examinations aim to uncover further details about the individuals' identities, lifestyles, and causes of death.
In previous excavation seasons, the mission uncovered several funerary platforms and rock-hewn tombs in the nearby Sidi Othman mountain area. These tombs, characterized by distinctive architectural styles, reflect how ancient communities adapted to the natural landscape in shaping their burial practices.
Led by Dr. Patrizia Piacentini, professor of Egyptology at the University of Milan, and Egyptian archaeologist Fahmy El-Amin, Director-General of Aswan Antiquities, the mission has been active at the site since 2019. Their successive discoveries continue to reinforce the archaeological significance of the Aga Khan Mausoleum area, cementing its role as a key cultural and historical center in southern Egypt.
read more
New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo
Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6
Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series
Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today
Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival
Arts & Culture
Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos
Arts & Culture
"The Flash" to End with Season 9
Arts & Culture
Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival
Arts & Culture
Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha
News
Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Sports
Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer
Videos & Features
Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Business
Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
News
Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
News
"Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence"
Videos & Features
Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
Technology
50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CairoScene
16 hours ago
- CairoScene
Graeco-Roman Tombs With Hieroglyphic Texts Found Near Aga Khan
A joint Egyptian-Italian team discovered Graeco-Roman tombs with intact mummies and hieroglyphics near Aswan's Aga Khan Mausoleum, revealing a hidden layer of Egypt's ancient funerary landscape. Jul 06, 2025 A series of rock-cut tombs dating to the Graeco-Roman period has been discovered near the Aga Khan Mausoleum on Aswan's western bank. Unearthed by a joint Egyptian-Italian mission, the tombs feature preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions and architectural elements rarely seen in later-period burials. Among the finds is Tomb No. 38, situated over two metres underground and accessed by a nine-step staircase once used for funeral offerings. Inside, a two-metre-tall limestone sarcophagus rests on a platform carved from bedrock. Decorated with a human-shaped lid, stylised wig, and hieroglyphs, it names the tomb's owner as Ka-Mesiu, a high-ranking official, and references his family. Several mummies, including those of children, were also found. The site continues to offer insight into burial customs of different social classes during a time when Egyptian traditions mingled with Greco-Roman influences. The surrounding necropolis has been under study since 2019, with prior seasons revealing additional tombs and platforms carved into the slopes of nearby Sidi Othman mountain. The mission, led by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Milan, plans further analysis including CT scans and biological studies this autumn to deepen understanding of the individuals buried there.
Egypt Independent
19 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
Photos: Greek and Roman tombs discovered near Aga Khan Mausoleum in Aswan
A joint Egyptian-Italian archaeological mission, led by the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Milan, discovered several rock-cut tombs dating back to the Greek and Roman periods, containing well-preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions. The discovery was made in the cemetery surrounding the Aga Khan Mausoleum on the West Bank of Aswan. Excavation work also revealed Tomb #38, prominent for its design and structural condition. It lies more than two meters underground and is led by a nine-step stone staircase surrounded by mudbrick terraces, which were used for placing funerary offerings. Inside the tomb, a limestone sarcophagus measuring approximately two meters in height was found, placed atop a rock platform carved directly into the mountain. It featured a human-shaped lid bearing the clear features of a human face, adorned with a wig and striking decorations, as well as two columns of hieroglyphic texts recording prayers to the local Aswan deities. The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mohamed Ismail Khaled explained that this discovery is clear evidence of the continued funerary use of the area by various social classes. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy hailed the discovery as a valuable addition to Aswan Governorate, showcasing the diversity and richness of ancient Egyptian civilization throughout the ages. He added that it further underscores the importance of international scientific cooperation in supporting archaeological discovery efforts, as the discovered tombs open new horizons for understanding the nature of local society in Aswan during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
Daily News Egypt
19 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan
In a major archaeological breakthrough, the Egyptian-Italian mission—formed through a partnership between Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Milan—has uncovered a group of rock-cut tombs dating back to the Greco-Roman period near the Aga Khan Mausoleum in Aswan. The tombs, which form part of a larger cemetery surrounding the mausoleum, are notable for their well-preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions, offering new insights into funerary traditions during the Ptolemaic and Roman eras. Among the most significant finds this season is Tomb No. 38, distinguished by its architectural design and remarkable state of preservation. Located over two metres underground, the tomb is accessed via a stone staircase comprising nine steps, flanked by mudbrick platforms believed to have been used for placing funerary offerings. Inside, archaeologists discovered a two-metre-high limestone sarcophagus resting on a rock-carved platform. The sarcophagus features an anthropoid lid with a finely detailed human face, a traditional wig, and vivid decorative elements. Two vertical columns of hieroglyphic text offer prayers to the local deities of Aswan and identify the tomb's owner as Ka-Mesiu, a high-ranking official of the time. The names of several family members were also found inscribed within the tomb. Several mummies were recovered from the site, including those of children. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy hailed the discovery as a significant addition to Aswan's rich archaeological record, emphasising the depth and diversity of ancient Egyptian civilisation across successive eras. He also underscored the importance of international scientific collaboration, noting that such partnerships open new avenues for understanding the structure of local society in southern Egypt during the Greco-Roman period. The find reaffirms Aswan's role as a key cultural and administrative hub in antiquity. Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Ismail Khaled, said the discovery reflects the continuous use of the cemetery by various social classes—from elite families interred in tombs atop the plateau to middle-class individuals buried along the slopes. Khaled noted that the inscriptions and artefacts recovered will offer invaluable material for Egyptologists, particularly in studying funerary customs and religious iconography in later periods of ancient Egypt. The newly discovered mummies, including those of children, will undergo CT scans and biological analysis in the upcoming autumn season to further explore their identities, health conditions, and causes of death. Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the summit of the hill is home to large subterranean tombs from the Ptolemaic period, initially constructed for the elite and later reused during the Roman era. In previous excavation seasons, the same mission uncovered funerary mastabas and rock-cut tombs in the nearby mountains of Sidi Othman, revealing an architectural style adapted to the area's rugged topography. This latest discovery is part of a broader archaeological programme launched in 2019, jointly led by Professor Patrizia Piacentini, Egyptologist at the University of Milan, and Fahmy Al-Amin, General Director of Antiquities in Aswan. The discoveries made in the vicinity of the Aga Khan Mausoleum continue to highlight the area's immense archaeological value, reaffirming its status as a vital component of Aswan's historical landscape and a key source of knowledge about Egypt's Greco-Roman heritage.
