Egyptian Archeologists Find Rare Limestone Sarcophagus

An incredibly well-preserved limestone sarcophagus and numerous funeral statuettes known as ushabti have been discovered by Egyptian archaeologists.

The find at the Gharaifa site in Tuna al-Jabal near the city of Minya, located in Upper Egypt, was announced by officials on Monday, 21st September.

The white limestone sarcophagus is decorated with scenes depicting the four children of Horus and is believed to belong to a man called Jahouti Umm Hoteb, from the 26th Dynasty.

Lead archaeologist, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mostafa al-Waziry, said the sarcophagus was recovered from a five-metre deep burial well, alongside several ushabti made of glazed pottery known as faience.

In his time, Hoteb held the position of the supervisor of thrones and was also the son of Harsa Ist, whose sarcophagus was discovered during the mission’s first excavation in 2018.

Archaeologists have dug three times at the Gharaifa site and have so far uncovered multiple tombs belonging to high priests of the god Jahouti and senior Upper Egyptian officials.

It has also found 19 cemeteries so far that contained 70 stone sarcophagi in various shapes and sizes.

Excavations in the area are ongoing.


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Story By: Les Steed, Sub-Editor: Joana Mihajlovska, Agency:  Newsflash

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