33 family tombs were found in a hillside excavation of a necropolis, or "City of the Dead," in Aswan, Egypt. The tombs were constructed between the 6th century BC and the 2nd or 3rd century AD, spanning the Persian, Ptolemaic, and Roman dynasties.
The rock-cut tombs, unique in their height compared to others in Egypt, contained Mummies of entire families, along with coffins, decorated clay amphorae with vine leaf motifs, and artistic objects like altars. Offerings such as ceramics and wooden objects were also found in the tombs.
Mummies of newborns, children, and adolescents were found, indicating a high rate of infant and juvenile mortality in ancient times.
Preliminary studies revealed that some individuals suffered from infectious diseases, malnutrition, bone disorders, and other health issues. Additionally, two mummies were inexplicably found conjoined in a stone coffin, raising questions about their relationship and burial practices.
People were buried in the discovered tombs according to their social class, with elites at the top of the hill and the middle class below. Studies of the mummies showed that between 30% and 40% of the individuals buried died in their youth, primarily as adolescents or newborns. Recent discoveries included mummies of children, a woman who could have been their mother, and a man who could have been their father.
Aswan, situated on the east bank of the Nile River, was populated over 4,500 years ago and served as an important trade, quarrying, and military zone between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
Sources: The Sun, Live Science, Asharq Al-Awsat, Daily News Egypt, Ahram Online, 20 Minutos, Daily Star, Deccan Chronicle, Diario de Avisos, Daily Mail, Times Now News, NDTV, Science Times.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
