Post by alienbeing on May 24, 2010 20:38:17 GMT 10
57 ancient Egyptian tombs discovered in secret underground network 
Archaeologists have unearthed a labyrinth of rich Egyptian tombs that had been hidden under the ground for thousands of years.
Most of the 57 ancient tombs contained an ornately painted wooden sarcophagus with a mummy inside, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities said.
One of the beautiful painted wooden sarcophagi discovered in Lahoun, near Fayoum.
One of the tombs with pottery remains found inside
The oldest tombs date back to around 2750 BC during the period of Egypt's first and second dynasties. Twelve of the tombs belong to the 18th dynasty which ruled Egypt from 1550 to 1292 BC.
The discovery throws new light on Egypt's ancient religions, the council said.
Egypt's archaeology chief, Zahi Hawass, said the 18th dynasty mummies are covered in linen decorated with religious texts from the Book of the Dead and scenes featuring ancient Egyptian deities.
The Book comprised a collection of hymns, spells and instructions to allow the deceased to pass through obstacles in the afterlife. One common scene showed the deceased person's heart weighed on a scale against the feather of truth. If their heart was lighter than the feather they were allowed to pass into the afterlife, if not they were devoured by a monstrous chimera.
The painted wooden sarcophagi dated as far back as 2750 BC. This was 100 years before the first Step Pyramid was constructed for the Old Kingdom pharaoh Djoser
Many of the tombs were decorated with religious texts that charted the deceased person's journey to the afterlife
Abdel Rahman El-Aydi, head of the archaeological mission that made the discovery, said some of the tombs are decorated with religious texts that ancient Egyptians believed would help the deceased to cross through the underworld.
Mr El-Aydi said one of the oldest tombs is almost completely intact, with all of its funerary equipment and a wooden sarcophagus containing a mummy wrapped in linen.
Archaeologists also discovered scenes of different ancient Egyptian deities in 31 tombs dating to around 2030 to 1840 BC. These included the falcon-headed Horus, the cow goddess Hathor and the creator deity Amun.
The council said the findings were unearthed at Lahoun, in Fayoum, some 70 miles south of Cairo.
Last year, some 53 stone tombs dating back to various ancient periods were found in the area.
www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1280801/Ancient-Egyptian-mummies-discovered-Lahoun.html
Archaeologists have unearthed a labyrinth of rich Egyptian tombs that had been hidden under the ground for thousands of years.
Most of the 57 ancient tombs contained an ornately painted wooden sarcophagus with a mummy inside, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities said.
One of the beautiful painted wooden sarcophagi discovered in Lahoun, near Fayoum.
One of the tombs with pottery remains found inside
The oldest tombs date back to around 2750 BC during the period of Egypt's first and second dynasties. Twelve of the tombs belong to the 18th dynasty which ruled Egypt from 1550 to 1292 BC.
The discovery throws new light on Egypt's ancient religions, the council said.
Egypt's archaeology chief, Zahi Hawass, said the 18th dynasty mummies are covered in linen decorated with religious texts from the Book of the Dead and scenes featuring ancient Egyptian deities.
The Book comprised a collection of hymns, spells and instructions to allow the deceased to pass through obstacles in the afterlife. One common scene showed the deceased person's heart weighed on a scale against the feather of truth. If their heart was lighter than the feather they were allowed to pass into the afterlife, if not they were devoured by a monstrous chimera.
The painted wooden sarcophagi dated as far back as 2750 BC. This was 100 years before the first Step Pyramid was constructed for the Old Kingdom pharaoh Djoser
Many of the tombs were decorated with religious texts that charted the deceased person's journey to the afterlife
Abdel Rahman El-Aydi, head of the archaeological mission that made the discovery, said some of the tombs are decorated with religious texts that ancient Egyptians believed would help the deceased to cross through the underworld.
Mr El-Aydi said one of the oldest tombs is almost completely intact, with all of its funerary equipment and a wooden sarcophagus containing a mummy wrapped in linen.
Archaeologists also discovered scenes of different ancient Egyptian deities in 31 tombs dating to around 2030 to 1840 BC. These included the falcon-headed Horus, the cow goddess Hathor and the creator deity Amun.
The council said the findings were unearthed at Lahoun, in Fayoum, some 70 miles south of Cairo.
Last year, some 53 stone tombs dating back to various ancient periods were found in the area.
www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1280801/Ancient-Egyptian-mummies-discovered-Lahoun.html
Happy New Years Everybody!!!
