Cairo — Egyptian archaeologists announced Wednesday the discovery of the first burial site dating back to the 13th Dynasty of ancient Egypt in the city of Luxor. This means that the sarcophagi, relics and artifacts found in the Dra’ Abu el-Naga’ Necropolis in Luxor are dated to almost 4,000 years ago, between 1803 BC and 1649 BC.
The Director General of Antiquities of Upper Egypt, Dr. Fathy Yaseen told CBS News about the site: “We’ve discovered more than a thousand burial sites in Luxor before, but this is the first time we’ve found a 13th Dynasty tomb.” More than 50 meters wide and 70 meters long.
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Among the finds in the burial site, King II. during the 13th Dynasty.
There were also “Ushabtis”, small figurines made of wood and painted white to imitate limestone.
“I’ve been working in this field for over 25 years and this is the first time I’ve seen Ushabtis written in Hieratic inscriptions instead of Hieroglyphs,” Yaseen told CBS News. Hieratic was the common written form of ancient Egypt between the 3rd millennium BC and the middle of the 1st millennium BC.
A ‘complete city’ unearthed
Archaeologists also announced this week that they have uncovered a “complete city” in East Luxor that dates back to Roman times.
The Egyptian Archaeological Mission said Tuesday that the city is near the Luxor Temple.
In a statement by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, it was described as the “oldest and most important” settlement city on the east side of Luxor. It is believed to be an extension of the city of Thebes.
“It’s important because it shows us more about the life of ordinary Egyptians right now,” Yaseen told CBS News, adding that scientists have “so far only brought to light the northern part of the city.”
The discovery included some residential buildings, workshops, and two pigeon towers dating to the second and third centuries, which were used to house pigeons or doves, the statement said.
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