Tomb from Middle Kingdom and 4,000-year-old artifacts found in Egypt

An Egyptian-American archaeological mission has discovered the first tomb of the Middle Kingdom in the Asasif region of Egypt, specifically in the South Asasif necropolis near Luxor. They also uncovered a number of artifacts and sealed sarcophagi dating back approximately 4,000 years, Azernews reports.

This significant find includes numerous coffins of men, women, and children that have remained untouched for millennia. The discovery was made during restoration work on the south side of the tomb of Karabaske, a nobleman of the 25th dynasty, and contains detailed information about the presence of the Celestial Empire in the area.

Mohammed Ismail Khalid, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, emphasized the importance of this discovery. According to him, the find has altered the historical context of the Asasif necropolis, making it one of the most important archaeological sites of the Middle Kingdom. He added, "This discovery also provides new insights into the funerary ceremonies and rituals that took place here at that time."

Inside the tomb, 11 separate sarcophagi containing skeletal remains were found, indicating that it served as a family tomb used by several generations during the 12th and early 13th dynasties of the Pharaohs. Highlights of this discovery include a wide variety of jewelry and rare artifacts buried with the women. Many graves also show signs of ancient floods that damaged wooden coffins and linen wrappings. However, more durable materials such as jewelry and ceramics have retained their authenticity and are in surprisingly good condition.

The archaeological expedition uncovered a range of exquisite jewelry, including a unique necklace made of 30 amethyst beads and two cylindrical agate beads framing an amulet shaped like a hippopotamus head. Other finds include red agate, rings, bracelets, and chains adorned with blue and green stones, as well as stone slabs decorated with animal-shaped amulets.