A burial ground which is expected to date from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman era was uncovered in Egypt. Yes, this discovery was made by an Egyptian archaeological mission. A settlement from the Second Intermediate Period had also been uncovered, as revealed by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Here’s all you need to know about this development from Egypt.
Burial And Settlement Site Discovered At The Kom El Khilgan Site
A Gulf News report recently mentioned how an Egyptian archaeological mission made some discoveries at the Kom El Khilgan archaeological site. For those who are not aware, this is in the Dakahlia Governorate, which is in the eastern Nile Delta of Egypt. It highlights the long history of human settlement and cultural development in the area. In fact, the oldest finds here even date back to the first and second phases of Lower Egyptian culture, AKA Buto and Buto l. As per the ministry, this was during the first half of the fourth millennium BC.
Several Burial Sites Found By Archaeologists
In fact, archaeologists also found oval-shaped graves that were cut into the soil. The burial grounds were arranged in different positions, and they contained modest funerary goods. These included small handmade pottery vessels and even marine shells. It should be noted that the density of the burials suggested that the site was possibly home to a sizeable community.
Residential area and graves that dated from the Second Intermediate Period through the New Kingdom were also uncovered. Mud brick buildings, ovens, grain silos, and hearths were some of the remains that were included in the findings. In fact, walls surrounding residential and funerary structures were also found. It was called Wavy or sinusoidal walls. These walls are supposed to be common during the Middle Kingdom through the New Kingdom. There were even pottery, stone tools, and fish & animal bones in large quantities that were found by the archaeologist. These offered clues about the lifestyle and diet of the inhabitants.
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Several Amulets, Tools & More Discovered
Not only this, but several graves dating from the 15th to 17th dynasties and the start of the New Kingdom were also identified. These were confirmed to be settlements from the Hixos period.
The graves here included mastabas and structures with cornices. These, in fact, also contained jewellery, amulets, tools, bronze weapons, scarabs, pottery and vessels of the Tell el-Yahudiyeh type. These are said to be characteristic of the period. There was even a mud-brick tomb that dates to the early 18th Dynasty. It contains pottery vessels and bronze tools. Foundations of thick-walled, mud-brick buildings were also found. These contain pottery fragments and stone tools that date back to the New Kingdom.
So with this discovery, it is an important contribution towards understanding the history and development of the Delta.
Cover Image Courtesy: Pexels/Spencer Davis (Cover image is for representative purposes only)
FAQs
What discovery was recently made in Egypt?
A burial ground, which is expected to date back to the prehistoric Greco-Roman era, was discovered in Egypt. In fact, a settlement from the Second Intermediate Period was also discovered, as revealed by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Where were these discoveries made?
These discoveries were made at the Kom El Khilgan archaeological site, which is in Dakahlia Governorate.