Latest news with #FirstIntermediatePeriod
Egypt Independent
14 hours ago
- General
- Egypt Independent
Photos: Three Old Kingdom tombs uncovered in Qubbet al-Hawa necropolis
An Egyptian archaeological mission working at the Qubbet al-Hawa necropolis in Aswan uncovered three rock-cut tombs dating back to the Old Kingdom during the current excavation season. The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Ismail Khaled, confirmed that preliminary results indicate that some of these tombs were reused during the Middle Kingdom, signifying the historical continuity of the Qubbet al-Hawa necropolis as a burial site across different eras. He explained the importance of this discovery, in that it sheds light on a critical transitional period between the end of the Old Kingdom and the beginning of the First Intermediate Period. Studies show that some of the tombs excavated during that period were devoid of inscriptions, he noted, but preserved their architectural character and traditional burial rituals, implying limited economic resources at the time. Three ancient tombs The head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Abdel-Badie, revealed further details on the three tombs. The first tomb is devoid of inscriptions and writings and contains an outer courtyard where two false doors, two offering tables, pottery vessels, and poorly preserved coffins were found, in addition to skeletal remains. Inside the courtyard, the mission found a burial shaft containing dilapidated wooden coffins containing skeletons and pottery vessels, several of which bear inscriptions dating back to the Old Kingdom. The second tomb is located to the west of the first tomb, also devoid of inscriptions. Two offering tables and pottery vessels dating back to the Middle Kingdom were found inside. Its architectural design suggests that it dates back to the end of the Old Kingdom or the beginning of the First Intermediate Period, and was reused again in the Middle Kingdom. The third tomb differs in design from the previous two. It is located west of the Ka-Kem tomb from the New Kingdom. The tomb is devoid of inscriptions. A large quantity of well-preserved pottery was found inside, along with skeletons, some of which belonged to children. Evidence suggests that the tomb dates back to the Old Kingdom. This archaeological discovery confirms the importance of the Qubbet al-Hawa cemetery as one of the most important archaeological sites in southern Egypt and deepens scientific understanding of the chronology, architecture, and burial rituals during the transitional periods of ancient Egyptian history.
CairoScene
21 hours ago
- General
- CairoScene
Three Ancient Tombs Discovered at Aswan's Qubbet el-Hawa Necropolis
Pottery, coffins, and skeletons were found in the tombs—some even reused centuries later. Jun 29, 2025 A team of Egyptian archaeologists has uncovered three rock-cut tombs dating back to the Old Kingdom at the Qubbet el-Hawa necropolis in Aswan. The discovery, made during the current excavation season, sheds light on a transitional era in ancient Egyptian history and highlights the site's continued importance across centuries. 'This find offers valuable insight into the critical period between the end of the Old Kingdom and the beginning of the First Intermediate Period,' said Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. He added that some of the tombs appear to have been reused during the Middle Kingdom, 'reflecting the historical continuity of Qubbet el-Hawa as a burial ground.' Though undecorated, the tombs preserved traditional burial elements. The first contained two false doors, offering tables, pottery, damaged coffins, and skeletal remains, with a burial shaft revealing vessels inscribed in hieratic script. The second tomb held Middle Kingdom pottery and offering tables, but its design points to an earlier origin. The third, near a New Kingdom tomb, featured well-preserved pottery and remains including children's skeletons. 'This discovery deepens our understanding of burial architecture and rituals during times of economic and political transition,' said Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector.
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Egypt unearths 3 rock-cut ancient tombs in Aswan's necropolis
CAIRO, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered three ancient rock-cut tombs in the Qubbet el-Hawa necropolis near Aswan, dating back to the Old Kingdom period (2686-2181 BC), the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Saturday. The discovery was made during the current excavation season by an Egyptian team working at the site, the ministry said in a statement. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said early findings suggest some of the tombs were reused during the Middle Kingdom (2055-1650 BC), highlighting Qubbet el-Hawa's long-standing role as a key burial site across various eras of ancient Egypt. Khaled said the discovery provided new insight into a transitional period between the end of the Old Kingdom and the beginning of the First Intermediate Period. Some of the tombs had no inscriptions but still featured traditional burial architecture and practices, which Khaled said may reflect limited economic resources at the time. Mohamed Abdel-Badie, head of the SCA's Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said two of the tombs had similar features and contained offering tables, pottery vessels, wooden coffins, and skeletal remains. The third tomb had a different design and included a large collection of well-preserved pottery and skeletal remains of both adults and children, he noted. Qubbet el-Hawa, on the west bank of the Nile across from Aswan, is known for its rock-cut tombs of nobles and officials from multiple dynasties. The ministry said the discovery reinforces the significance of Qubbet el-Hawa as one of southern Egypt's most important archaeological sites and sheds light on burial customs and architecture during key transitional periods in ancient Egyptian history.
