Photos of a strange discovery in Egypt: 110 unusual tombs from an era before the pharaohs

Egyptian archaeologists who work in the nile delta discovered dozens of rare predynastic tombs dating from the period before the appearance of the pharaonic kingdoms of Egypt over 5,000 years ago. Too found near the tombs of the late Hyksos period (1650 to 1500 BC), when immigrants from Asia the western world took control of the country, ending the Middle Kingdom of Egypt.

Findings in the Dakahlia Province -in the north of Cairo– could shed light on two important transitional periods in the old one EgyptEgyptologists said. The graves include 68 of the Buto period which began around 3300 BC. C. and five from Naqada III period, which was just before the rise of the first dynasty of Egypt circa 3100 BC C., according to a statement by Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The incredible discovery also includes 37 tombs from the Hyksos era, which began to migrate through the Sinai towards Egypt circa 1800 BC C.

“It is an extremely interesting cemetery because it combines some of the earliest periods of Egyptian history with another important era, that of the Hyksos.“, He said Salima Ikram |, Egyptologist of American University of Cairo. “Egyptologists strive to understand how the Egyptians and Hyksos lived together and to what extent the ancients adopted Egyptian traditions.“.

The Buto graves were oval shaped pits with the corpses placed inside in a squatting position, mostly on the left side with the head pointing west, according to the ministry statement.

Some tombs from the time Naqada contained cylindrical containers and in pear shaped.

The tombs of the hicsos they were mainly semi-rectangular with the corpses lying in an extended position and head also facing west.

“The mission also found a cluster of ovens, stoves, remains of adobe foundations, ceramic pots and amulets, especially beetles, some of which were made of semi-precious stones and jewelry such as buckles. ears.Said the statement.

Archaeologists have found remains of adults and children and ceramic objects in these graves.

Egypt has made its archaeological findings public in recent years in hopes of reviving the tourism sector, which is vital to its economy and was hit by an insurgency in 2011 and more recently by the coronavirus pandemic.

(With information from Reuters and Associated Press) .-

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