Egyptian archaeologists said that in one of the tombs, dating back to the 6th century BC, they discovered an amazing find.
The pyramid complex, located in the western part of Abusir, turned out to be the resting place of high-ranking officials and military leaders of the XXVI and XXVII dynasties. Scientists have reconstructed a picture of the past thanks to the archaeological information collected as a result of the largest expedition in the region.
One of the most impressive finds is the tomb of a man named Djehutiemhat, who was probably the king's scribe. Although the upper part of the tomb was destroyed over time, the burial chamber remained intact.
To reach the burial chamber, which was located about 15 meters underground, it was necessary to go down the main shaft connecting it to the surface. The tomb hall was found to be decorated with various written texts and works of art that demonstrate the paths of the Sun in the sky and glorify its majesty.
On the southern and western walls, sacrifices and rituals of those times are depicted. A long sequence of spells was found on the north wall, created to protect the occupant from snake bites. At that time, poisonous snakes were common and dangerous, so the use of spells was a necessity. In addition, snakes were also considered protectors of the dead.
A huge stone sarcophagus with images of gods and hieroglyphic inscriptions was discovered in the tomb itself. Some of these inscriptions are quotations from the Book of the Dead, a sacred text relating to Egyptian burials and aimed at helping the dead in the afterlife.
According to Newsweek, the sarcophagus also contains images of the Egyptian goddesses Isis and Nephthys, revered for their ability to protect the dead, as well as the goddess of the West, Imenet. Unfortunately, none of these defenses could save Djehutiemhat, whose tomb was apparently attacked as early as the 5th century AD and most of its valuable artifacts were stolen.
Alas, Djehutiemhat’s mummy also remained unstudied, but archaeologists discovered scattered bones near the sarcophagus. Analysis of the bones determined that Djehutiemhat was approximately 25 years old at the time of his death. Examination of his skeleton also showed signs of osteoporosis and wear and tear on the spine, likely the result of long periods of sedentary work and his status.
Researchers intend to continue studying objects in the area to uncover all the nuances of the era and create a more complete picture of those turbulent times.