Ancient tomb with jewelry and copper mirrors unearthed in Egypt

Archeologists from Egypt and nan United States unearthed an ancient tomb pinch 11 sealed burials adjacent nan famed metropolis of Luxor, Egyptian authorities said. The find included a trove of exquisitely crafted jewelry as good arsenic a figurine that was described arsenic an "important find."

Egypt's Tourism and Antiquities Ministry said successful a statement Friday nan tomb, which dates backmost to nan Middle Kingdom (1938 B.C.-1630 B.C.), was recovered successful nan South Asasif necropolis, adjacent to nan Temple of Hatshepsut connected nan Nile's West Bank successful Luxor.

The associated Egyptian-American ngo excavating nan necropolis recovered coffins for 5 women, 2 men and 3 children, suggesting that it was a family tomb utilized for generations during nan 12th Dynasty and nan opening of nan 13th Dynasty, said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of nan Supreme Council of Antiquities successful Egypt.

Archeologists unearthed an ancient tomb pinch 11 sealed burials on pinch a trove of jewelry adjacent nan famed metropolis of Luxor, Egyptian authorities said.  Egypt's Tourism and Antiquities Ministry

He said ancient floods destroyed astir of nan burials' woody coffins and linen wrappings.

However, immoderate items specified arsenic jewelry successful women's burials were recovered intact, including a finely crafted necklace pinch 30 amethyst beads and 2 cylindrical agate beads framing a hippo-head amulet, according to nan statement.

Catherine Blakeney, main American archeologist pinch nan mission, said they recovered 2 copper mirrors, 1 pinch a lotus-shaped handle, and nan 2nd pinch a unsocial creation of Hathor, goddess of nan sky, women, fertility and emotion successful ancient Egypt.

The South Asasif Conservation Project, which led nan dig, said successful a news release that a green-blue glazed faience fertility figurine was besides an "important find."

Fertility figurine South Asasif Conservation Project

"It is well-modeled and dressed up pinch a assortment of jewelry and lozenge markings connected nan legs and torso," nan group's director, Dr. Elena Pischikova, said successful a statement. "Her cropped hairsbreadth is painted black. The caput is pierced pinch holes arranged successful 3 sections. The holes were intended for nan attachment of 'hair.' Almost 4,000 mud beads recovered adjacent to nan figurine constituted her original hair."

The find came arsenic Egypt has doubled efforts to pull much tourists, a important root of overseas rate for nan cash-strapped North African country. Tourism, which depends heavy connected Egypt's rich | Pharaonic artifacts, suffered a agelong downturn aft nan governmental turmoil and unit that followed a 2011 uprising.

Last month, nan Grand Egyptian Museum, a mega task adjacent nan famed Giza Pyramids, opened 12 halls exhibiting Pharaonic artifacts for visitors arsenic a proceedings up of nan yet-unannounced charismatic opening.

In:
• Archaeologist
• Egypt