Archaeologists have uncovered over 30 ancient Egyptian tombs spanning an entire hill in Aswan, an age-old city on the Nile. These burials, which date back to the Greco-Roman period, provide insights into the lives of those who once resided in this bustling trading hub.
The discoveries include mummies that likely represent families interred together, coffins, and cartonnage—a papier-mâché material fashioned from recycled papyri or fabric. Additionally, amphorae adorned with vine-leaf motifs and various artifacts, such as offering tables, were found.
The site was notably affluent and significant, serving as a crucial point for trade between Northern Africa and subtropical Africa. It was a pivotal location throughout the history of ancient Egyptian tombs.
In 2015, archaeologists became aware of the burial site after numerous illegal excavations. The government then tasked local archaeologists with surveying the area, leading to the discovery of tombs from the late Greek and Roman periods (approximately 332 B.C. to A.D. 395).
Khaled el-Enany, the former Egyptian minister of antiquities, subsequently contacted Patrizia Piacentini. She, along with a large team of Egyptian and Italian archaeologists, began surveying the site in 2019. The researchers identified terraces of ancient Egyptian tombs arranged in multiple layers on the hill near the modern Mausoleum of Aga Khan III in Aswan.
During the excavation in Aswan, archaeologists discovered ancient Egyptian tombs containing oil lamps, which were likely left behind by mourners. These lamps suggest that during mourning feasts, the tombs might have been illuminated, creating a spectacular scene. The unique tomb structures, built into the rock with a vertical height of at least 10 levels, stand out from other ancient Egyptian tombs of the period, which typically had only two to three levels.
The tombs in Aswan were in use for approximately 900 years, from the sixth century B.C. to the second or third century A.D. This extensive period encompasses significant historical eras, including Persian rule (525 to 404 B.C.), the Greek Ptolemaic dynasty initiated by Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, and the subsequent Roman rule when Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire.
The tombs at the top of the hill were occupied by the elites, while the middle-class individuals were buried in the lower strata. Analyses have shown that a significant portion (30% to 40%) of the mummies in these newly discovered tombs were children as young as 2 years old and newborns, as noted by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The excavation team in Aswan uncovered many ancient Egyptian tombs containing entire families, including mothers, fathers, and children. The researchers suggest that infectious diseases might have caused these simultaneous family deaths.
Among the findings were two mummies initially believed to be a mother and son; however, further analysis revealed they were brothers buried alongside their parents. To delve deeper into the causes of death, the team collaborated with doctors at the University Hospital in Aswan. They conducted X-rays, CT scans, and DNA analyses, discovering that anemia and infectious diseases were prevalent causes of death, even among the wealthiest individuals of the time.
Examination of the mummies’ backbones confirmed cases of tuberculosis, suggesting that this disease could have decimated entire families. The team continues to perform biological analyses to gain a better understanding of the diseases that afflicted people during that era.
The discovery is regarded as exceptional and holds great promise for uncovering new aspects of history. The research team aims to continue their mission to uncover the diverse populations that once inhabited the city. They have mapped at least 300 ancient Egyptian tombs within a necropolis area spanning about 215,000 square feet (20,000 square meters) and believe there could be even more to discover.
- ONLINE NEWS Tjandra, K. (2024, June 26). “Exceptional” discovery reveals more than 30 ancient Egyptian tombs built into hillside. livescience.com. [livescience.com]
- JOURNAL Guglielmi, V., Piacentini, P., Lombardi, C. A., Comite, V., Bergomi, A., Borelli, M., Carabelli, G., D\’Amato, A., Fermo, P., & Tomaino, A. (2023). Preliminary multi-spectral imaging investigation on items from the Aga Khan III necropolis, Aswan (Egypt). IRIS. [IRIS]
- WEBSITE El-Aref, N. (2015, June 7). Late period tombs uncovered on Aswan’s west bank. AhramOnline. [AhramOnline]
- JOURNAL Piacentini, P., Battaglia, M. P., & El-Moneim, S. A. (2020). The international cooperation between the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and the University of Milan for the excavation and preservation of an endangered site in Aswan. Archeologia E Calcolatori, 31(2), 21–31. [Archeologia E Calcolatori]
APA 7: TWs Editor. (2024, July 2). Ancient Egyptian Tombs Unearthed in Aswan. PerEXP Teamworks. [Online News Link]
