Unearthing secrets: 3,000-year-old tomb reveals new insights into ancient Egyptian burial rituals

Working collaboratively, a group of archaeologists from the Leiden Museum in the Netherlands and the Egyptian Museum in Turin happened upon an unprecedented discovery in the Saqqara region under the supervision of the Supreme Council of Archaeology.

The discovered tomb, which is over 3,000 years old, has within it four small chapels, each depicting a divine entity named Yoyo. It is believed to have been the final resting place of Banhesi, who most likely lived during the Ramesside era (13th-12th century BC).

Dr. Mustafa Waziry, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, revealed that the archaeological team managed to find additional tombs from the same era as well - as reported by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on their official Facebook page.

Inscriptions on the tomb walls provide fresh insights into the period's burial practices. Dr. Mohamed Youssef stated that the inscriptions require detailed analysis. The tomb comes with an entrance gate, a section with stone columns, and the previously mentioned chapels dedicated to the figure, Yayo.

Inside the tomb, among other artifacts, is a slab depicting the deceased paying homage to the goddess Hathor, who was believed to aid souls in transitioning to the afterlife. The tomb also houses an altar table and images of Baya, the deceased's wife. Other residual panels depict scenes involving priests and sacrifices.

The archaeologists found that the tomb was constructed in a previously filled with tombs from earlier dynasties. Utilizing the available space between these older tombs seems to have been common among the Egyptians.