The archaeological team from the University of Pennsylvania's Egyptian-American mission has uncovered a royal tomb dating back to the Second Intermediate Period at the "Jabal Anubis" necropolis in Abydos. Alongside this remarkable discovery, an Egyptian archaeological team from the Supreme Council of Antiquities has unearthed a complete Roman-era pottery workshop in the village of Banawit.
In his remarks, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, emphasized that these discoveries would not only promote Egypt’s diverse tourism offerings but also shed light on the country’s ancient civilization for the global audience. The discoveries provide essential insights for researchers, while showcasing the role of the Supreme Council of Antiquities as a scientific institution dedicated to preserving Egypt’s heritage.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stressed the significance of these findings. The royal tomb discovered in Abydos offers new scientific evidence regarding the development of royal tombs at the "Jabal Anubis" cemetery, dating back to the "Abydos Dynasty," which ruled Upper Egypt from 1700 to 1600 BCE. The discovery enhances understanding of the complex political history of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period.
The pottery workshop in Banawit provides a glimpse into one of the largest factories supplying pottery and glass to the region. The site includes numerous kilns, extensive storage areas for ceramic vessels, and 32 ostraca inscribed in Demotic and Greek, offering valuable insights into trade practices and tax payments at the time.
Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that studies on the royal tomb suggest it likely belonged to a king who preceded King Seneb-Kai, whose tomb was discovered in 2014. The tomb is significantly larger than other known tombs of the "Abydos Dynasty." The identity of the tomb's owner has yet to be determined.
Dr. Joseph Wagner, Head of the American-Egyptian mission at Abydos, revealed that the royal tomb was found approximately 7 meters below the surface. The tomb’s burial chamber, made of limestone, is covered by vaulted mudbrick ceilings that originally reached about 5 meters in height. The tomb also contains remnants of inscriptions on both sides of the entrance, depicting the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, along with yellow hieroglyphic inscriptions, likely bearing the name of the king. The design and inscriptions bear resemblance to those found in King Seneb-Kai’s tomb.
Further research will be conducted to precisely date the tomb and uncover more details about its origin, Wagner added.
The Jabal Anubis necropolis is one of the most important burial sites in Abydos. It features a pyramid-shaped mountain, which was chosen by Pharaoh Senusret III (1874-1855 BCE) for his grand tomb beneath the natural pyramid summit, a groundbreaking feat in Egyptian history. Several kings from the 13th Dynasty and later rulers of the Abydos Dynasty also constructed their tombs in this area, including the famous tomb of King Seneb-Kai, which remains one of the oldest decorated royal tombs in ancient Egypt.
Abdel-Badie also provided details about the pottery workshop in Banawit. Early studies indicate that the site was used during the Byzantine period and later repurposed as a burial ground during the 7th century, potentially extending into the 14th century. The excavation uncovered several tombs made of mudbrick, containing skeletons and mummies, many of which belong to children.
Among the most notable finds is the mummy of a child lying in a sleeping position, with a colorful textile cap on its head, as well as the skull of a woman in her early thirties. Additionally, traces of ancient wheat roots and seeds, including date palms and barley, were discovered at the site.
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