Ancient Egyptian Tombs Discovered in New Damietta Cemetery

 the Egyptian archaeological mission, affiliated with the Supreme Council of Antiquities, made a significant discovery at the Tel El-Dier cemetery in New Damietta City. The team uncovered 63 mudbrick tombs and several simple burials containing gold leaf artifacts from the 26th Dynasty of the Late Period, along with numerous bronze coins from the Ptolemaic era.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced the discovery, highlighting its alignment with the directives of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities to prioritize and empower Egyptian archaeological missions. This effort aims to uncover more secrets of the ancient Egyptian civilization.

Dr. Khaled explained that the architectural planning of the discovered tombs follows well-known models from the Late Period in ancient Egypt. This finding underscores the historical significance of the discovery, which may help to redate an important period in the history of Damietta. The artifacts from the 26th Dynasty confirm the historical continuity of the Tel El-Dier cemetery and highlight Damietta’s crucial role in trade across different historical eras.

Dr. Ayman Ashmawy, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, stated that the tombs contained a collection of funerary amulets, Ushabti statues, and pottery. Additionally, simple architectural remains and a pottery vessel containing 38 bronze coins from the Ptolemaic era were found, along with imported and locally produced pottery that sheds light on the trade exchanges between Damietta and other Mediterranean coastal cities.

Mr. Kotb Fawzi, Head of the Central Administration for Northern Egypt and Sinai Antiquities and leader of the archaeological mission, added that the team also uncovered a large mudbrick tomb containing high-status burials. Inside, they found gold leaf artifacts depicting religious symbols and ancient Egyptian deities, as well as highly detailed funerary amulets crafted with exceptional skill and made from a variety of materials.