A significant discovery has been made in Egypt’s Nile delta, where 63 tombs have revealed a wealth of ancient artifacts from the country’s last dynasty, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Monday.
The unearthed treasures, dating back to Egypt’s late and Ptolemaic period (mid-third century), include intricate gold jewelry and other valuable items, AP News reported.
The discovery was made by an Egyptian archaeological team working under the Supreme Council of Antiquities at the Tell al-Deir necropolis, located in the city of Damietta.
The tombs, constructed from mud bricks, are believed to hold significant historical value, shedding light on a pivotal era in Egypt’s ancient history.
Among the findings are statues, funerary amulets, and a pottery vessel containing 38 bronze coins, all linked to the Ptolemaic period.
This era, which began with the rule of Ptolemy I in 305 BC following the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great, marked the final chapter of Egyptian independence before the Roman Empire’s annexation.
Experts are now focused on restoring and cataloging these artifacts, with some expected to be showcased in one of Egypt’s renowned museums.
This recent discovery is particularly exciting as it offers new insights into the burial practices and daily life during the Late and Ptolemaic periods.
Egypt previously highlighted the significance of the ptolemaic period with an exhibition at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo in 2018, where approximately 300 artifacts from this era were displayed for the first time.
This latest find in Damietta underscores Egypt’s rich cultural heritage and the ongoing efforts to preserve and explore its ancient history.
In March, colorful murals depicting ordinary life in ancient Egypt were uncovered in a mastaba tomb that dates back over 4,300 years. They were discovered in the Dahshur pyramid necropolis, some 40.23km south of Cairo.
Dahshur is the southernmost of the Old Kingdom’s major pyramid necropolises, located near Memphis, the ancient capital.
The Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid, two huge pyramids built by King Sneferu, remain the area’s main attractions.
The mastaba, made of unfired mud brick, is approximately 8 meters by 12 meters and has seven burial pits as well as another shaft holding pottery bowls and other things used in funeral ceremonies.