Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a previously unknown necropolis, untouched for millennia. The cemetery dates back to the Pharaonic Late Period and the Ptolemaic dynasty, so it is over 2,000 years old. It contains at least eight tombs, each with multiple sarcophagi. The excavation, which began last year, is led by Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The newly discovered underground tomb complex is located south of Cairo in the Minya Governorate. It is only about four miles away from the Khmun necropolis Tuna el-Gebel. Scientists say there are some family graves inside.
“We will need at least five years to work on the necropolis,” said Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Enany, according to ScienceAlert. “This is only the beginning of a new discovery.” One tomb appears to belong to a high priest of Thoth, the ibis-headed ancient Egyptian god of wisdom, arbitration, writing, science, magic and the judgment of the dead. Hieroglyphics on the canopic jars in the tomb helped identify it as Djehuty-Irdy-Es, who was also given the title “One of the Great Five,” reserved for the most senior of Thoth’s priests. The Ministry hopes that these findings will help boost the country’s tourism.
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