Archaeologists discover 3,000-year-old Egyptian tomb
Egyptology image: Carina van den Hoven
A team of Dutch archaeologists headed by Carina van den Hoven from Leiden University has discovered a 3,000-year-old tomb in Egypt. The tomb sheds new light on the history of the area, where more tombs are located.
Archaeologists discovered the tomb in Lower Sheikh Abd El-Qurna, close to the Egyptian city of Luxor. The team worked with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The tomb comprises a forecourt leading to a rock-cut chapel beneath which lie underground burial chambers. Several architectural features have survived in remarkably good condition, including a staircase leading to the entrance.
Binnen troffen de onderzoekers beschilderde wanden aan met afbeeldingen van de grafeigenaar die verschillende goden aanbidt. En de grafeigenaar en zijn vrouw zittend voor een offertafel. Inscripties wijzen erop dat het graf van Paser is, al is nog niet duidelijk wie hij was. Op basis van de stijl van de schilderingen dateren onderzoekers het monument in de Ramessidentijd, tussen ongeveer 1292 en 1069 voor Christus.
The tomb’s decorated walls preserve scenes bearing the name of Paser and depict him worshipping various deities inside shrines and seated with his wife before an offering table. Based on the artistic style of the monument’s decoration, archaeologists believe that it dates to the Ramesside Period of the New Kingdom.
-
Decorations in the tomb. -
Decorations in the tomb. -
Decorations in the tomb.
The next phase of the project will focus on structural stabilisation, conservation and restoration of the painted decoration. The researchers also want to learn more about the people buried there. The study is expected to shed new light on the historical and cultural development of Lower Sheikh Abd El-Qurna and the relationships between its neighbouring tombs.
The study is part of a long-term project combining archaeological investigation with conservation in Lower Sheikh Abd El-Qurna. The organisations involved hope to open the tomb to visitors in the longer term.
For more information, see the Luxor Archaeological Heritage Foundation website.