One of the tombs discovered west of Aswan. Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
One of the tombs discovered west of Aswan. Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
One of the tombs discovered west of Aswan. Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
One of the tombs discovered west of Aswan. Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Archaeologists discover 33 ancient tombs in Egypt's Aswan


Kamal Tabikha
  • English
  • Arabic

Dozens of family tombs containing mummies and artefacts have been discovered near the city of Aswan in southern Egypt.

An Egyptian-Italian archaeological mission unearthed 33 tombs while working near the Aga Khan Mausoleum west of Aswan, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Sunday.

The tombs date from the Late Period of Ancient Egypt (664-332BC), the Ptolemaic period when the country was ruled by a Greek-speaking dynasty (305-30BC), and the Roman period (30BC-641AD).

The tombs, some of which still contain mummified remains and funerary objects, are expected to provide new insight into the history of the Aga Khan area and diseases that afflicted its ancient inhabitants.

"This discovery adds new history to the Aga Khan area," said Dr Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Dr Ayman Ashmawy, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said preliminary studies on the mummified remains suggest 30 per cent to 40 per cent of those buried in the tombs died young, ranging from newborns to adolescents.

The tombs vary in architectural design, with some featuring vaulted entrances preceded by open courtyards surrounded by mud-brick walls while others are carved directly into the mountain rock.

Among the discoveries within the tombs are several mummies, including those of an adult, possibly a woman, and a child who may have died between the ages of one and two. The two bodies were found still adjoined inside a stone sarcophagus, a mystery the mission plans to investigate further.

Other finds include remnants of coloured cartonnage, clay and stone figurines, wooden coffins and offering tables.

Dr Abdel Moneim Saeed, General Supervisor of Aswan and Nubia Antiquities and director of the Egyptian side of the mission, suggested the middle class of Aswan Island's inhabitants were buried in this part of the necropolis, while the upper part was designated for the upper class.

A funerary mask unearthed at an archaeological site in Aswan that comprised 33 tombs dating back to various periods of Egypt's long history. Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
A funerary mask unearthed at an archaeological site in Aswan that comprised 33 tombs dating back to various periods of Egypt's long history. Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Advanced technology, including X-ray analysis, has been used to study the discovered mummies, revealing details about their facial features, sex, age at death and the presence of organic diseases.

Dr Patrizia Piacentini, professor of Egyptology at the University of Milan and director of the Italian side of the mission, noted that preliminary studies on the mummies indicated some suffered from infectious diseases, bone disorders, anaemia, malnutrition, chest disease, tuberculosis and osteoporosis.

Some were found to have died at an advanced age with severe bone disease.

The mission is expected to continue its work at the site, aiming to discover more about the ancient inhabitants of the area.

The lower fragment of a sarcophagus found at Aswan. Photo: Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities
The lower fragment of a sarcophagus found at Aswan. Photo: Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X

Price, as tested: Dh84,000

Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: Six-speed auto

Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces

 

  • Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
  • Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
  • Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
  • Don’t be afraid to use furniture to break up the space. For example, if you have a sofa placed in the middle of the room, a console unit behind it will give good punctuation.
  • Use a considered collection of prints and artworks that work together to form a cohesive journey.
While you're here

Michael Young: Where is Lebanon headed?

Kareem Shaheen: I owe everything to Beirut

Raghida Dergham: We have to bounce back

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

You Were Never Really Here

Director: Lynne Ramsay

Starring: Joaquim Phoenix, Ekaterina Samsonov

Four stars

Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESplintr%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMay%202019%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammad%20AlMheiri%20and%20Badr%20AlBadr%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20and%20Riyadh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epayments%20%2F%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10%20employees%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%20seven-figure%20sum%20%2F%20pre-seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eangel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Common%20symptoms%20of%20MS
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFatigue%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3Enumbness%20and%20tingling%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ELoss%20of%20balance%20and%20dizziness%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStiffness%20or%20spasms%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETremor%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPain%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBladder%20problems%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBowel%20trouble%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVision%20problems%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EProblems%20with%20memory%20and%20thinking%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Cry Macho

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam

Rating:**

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: June 25, 2024, 11:57 AM`