Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a hidden burial chamber in a tomb that is nearly 4,000 years old.
The second chamber was found at Western Assuit Mountain, on the west bank of the Nile River in Asyut,Upper Egypt.
It is believed to be the largest non-royal tomb to have been built during 12th dynasty, which lasted from 1991 BCE to 1902 BCE.
The main tomb belongs to Djefaihapi – who was governor of Assuit during the time of King Senusret I, who reigned from 1961 BCE and 1917 BCE.
This grand rock-cut burial complex was being excavated when archaeologists stumbled across a second burial chamber.
This chamber was meant to be the final resting place of Djefaihapi’s daughter, Edi. However, archaeologists were not the first people to find this chamber – which is located at a depth of 15 metres.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the tomb was robbed by thieves during antiquity, and Edi’s remains were removed from the coffins – and her canopic jars, which contained her vital organs, were smashed.
However, this hidden tomb did still contain two ornately decorated coffins, inscribed with funerary texts depicting the journey to the afterlife. Now, archaeologists have recovered Edi’s skull and some skeletal remains.
One of the coffin’s lids and wooden statues were also found, reported Heritage Daily.
Mohamed Ismail, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said: “Preliminary studies suggest that Edi died before reaching the age of 40 and suffered from a congenital foot defect.”
It is hoped that further excavations inside the tomb will reveal more about governor and his daughter. Further studies could shed more light on the historical era they lived in – and reveal more of ancient Egypt’s secrets.
