5,000 Year Old Tombs Discovered in Egypt

posted on: May 5, 2021

By: Sara Tawfik/Arab America Contributing Writer

Archaeologists have discovered an entirely different world in these tombs that date back to the times of the Ancient Pharaohs in Northern Egypt. These Egyptian tombs, dating back to predynastic times, were found near where the Nile River drains by the Mediterranean Sea. The Archaeologists working in the Dakahlia province at the time discovered the tombs which range from different eras and contain the bodies of ancient families. Eighty-six of the Tombstones were from the Buto period, Thirty-seven of the 110 tombs are from the Hyksos period and five were from the Naqada III period, which is incredible since the tomb combines some of the richest points in Egyptian history.

“This is an extremely interesting cemetery because it combines some of the earliest periods of Egyptian history with another important era, the time of the Hyksos, Egyptologists are working to understand how the Egyptians and the Hyksos lived together and to what degree the former took on Egyptian traditions” 

Egyptologist Salima Ikram

It was really fascinating to learn the different positions that the human remains were squatting in depending on each era. The Buto tombs were in squatting positions, the Nadaqa were in pear-shaped tombs, and the Hyksos tombs had the human remains lying down in an extended position with the heads facing the side. There were also items found such as household belongings, pottery, and amulets all made of semi-precious stones. Another fascinating discovery was the baby remains that were found within pots. Silver rings were worn on the human remains as well as a seal stone with a hieroglyphic inscription on it.

What does this mean for Egypt?

With recent archaeological development within Egypt, people explain that there may be an expansion and rise in tourism for Egypt and Arab countries. Due to the Arab Spring and revolution in Egypt, as well as the difficulties with Covid, tourism decreased over the years. This along with the Egypt’s lost city are hopes for tourism to rise steadily again once it is safe to travel.

You can check out Arab America’s blog here for more news regarding the Arab World!