Colorful paintings of life in ancient Egypt have been discovered in a tomb dating back more than 4,300 years.
The tomb, known as a mastaba, was discovered in the pyramidal necropolis of Dahshur, about 40 kilometers south of Cairo, thanks to a recent Egyptian-German archaeological mission.
Dahshur is the southernmost of the marvelous pyramidal necropolises of the Old Kingdom, near the ancient capital, Memphis. The main attractions are two pyramids of King Sneferu: the Curved Pyramid and the Red Pyramid.
Made from unfired dust bricks, the mastaba oblonga measures between 8 and 12 meters and has seven burial pits, as well as ceramic bowls and other items used in funerary rituals.
According to inscriptions on a large false limestone door, the tomb belonged to a man named Seneb-nebef, who served in the government of the population of the palace district, as did his wife, Idut.
The shape of the mastaba, as well as the inscriptions, images, and pottery found inside, suggest that it dates to the late Fifth Dynasty or early Sixth, or around 2300 BCE.
The tomb belonged to an administrator named Seneb-nebef. St. J. Seidlmayer/DAIK CNN Newsource
Stephan Seidlmayer, former director of the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin, led the expedition.
He told CNN in an email: “The corridor and worship corridor were decorated with sophisticated powder plaster paintings, a rarity in the Dahshur necropolis. Despite the extensive destruction, many photographs have been preserved. They show photographs of the tomb’s owner and his wife in front. from the table of provisions, scenes from life (donkeys on the threshing floor, boats on the Nile, a position in the market) and servants bringing gifts for the mortuary cult.
“In their sublime bureaucracy and best execution, the photographs offer valid evidence of the artistic milieu of the capital region of the evolved Old Kingdom. “
According to a report by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the inscriptions revealed that the tomb’s owner “held various positions within the royal palace in managing tenants,” while his wife “held the titles of priestess of Hathor and child of the Sycamore. “
The exterior of the Great Tomb of Dahshur, about 40 km south of Cairo St. J. Seidlmayer/DAIK CNN Newsource
The German Archaeological Institute in Cairo has been carrying out excavations at Dahshur since 1976. The first steps in the pyramids of King Sneferu of the Old Kingdom and King Amenemhat III of the Middle Kingdom.
However, more recent excavations have focused on the tombs of wonderful statesmen and directors from the same periods.
Seidlmayer and his team will continue to excavate “with the aim of uncovering more secrets about this region,” Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement. He adds: “Cleaning paintings and documentation will be carried out on the tomb and its inscriptions in the coming period. “
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