Thursday, 10 January 2013

Ancient tombs found in the city of Luxor in Egypt

Italian archaeologists have discovered tombs in the ancient city of Luxor which are believed to be at least 3,000 years old. The interesting find includes human remains and well-preserved canopic jars.

According to Egypt's Minister of State for Antiquities, Mohammed Ibrahim, this discovery was made beneath the mortuary temple of King Amenhotep II.
 
"It's a very important discovery that highlights the importance of King Amenhotep II's temple years after the pharaoh's death," Ibrahim said, stating that King Amenhotep II also had a tomb in the Valley of the Kings housing a collection of royal mummies, that was discovered in 1882.
 
This temple is situated on the northern side of the Serapaeum on the west bank of the Nile and belongs to the seventh Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, reigning from 1427 to 1401 BC. Ibrahim says that the remains of human bones, as well as wooden sarcophagi have been unearthed inside the tombs.
 
 Mansour Barek, head of Luxor Antiquities, explained that they have also found 12 very well preserved mud, brick and sandstone canopic jars, used to preserve the lungs, stomach, liver and intestines of the deceased. As pictured on the right, these artifacts are decorated with images of the four sons of the god Horus, and are believed to be vital in helping the soul of the deceased find its way to heaven.
 
The four sons of Horus are "Imsety, with a human head to protect the liver; Hapi, with a baboon head for the lungs; Duamutef, with a jackal head for the stomach; and Qebehsenuef, with a falcon head for the Intestines," according to Ahram online.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/341018

No comments:

Post a Comment