An Egyptian archaeological mission from the Ministry of Antiquities has uncovered five Roman tombs during excavation works carried out in Beir Al-Shaghala site in Dakhla Oasis in Egypt's Western Desert.
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| Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities |
Ayma Ashmawi, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department, explained that the tombs are built in mud brick and have different architectural style.
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| Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities |
The first tomb has an entrance leading to a rectangular hall with two burial chambers while the second has a vaulted ceiling and its entrance leads to a burial chamber.
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| Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities |
The third tomb is a pyramid-shaped tomb. The mission has succeeded in uncovering its upper part while the lower part is still buried in sand.
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| Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities |
The fourth and fifth tombs share one entrance and each tomb has a separate burial chamber with a vaulted ceiling.
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| Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities |
Ashmawy pointed out that the mission's excavations in the area will continue.
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| Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities |
Gamal Al-Semestawi, general director of antiquities of the Middle Egypt, said that a number of artefacts were found inside the tombs, including the remains of a funerary mask depicting a human face painted in yellow, a set of pottery vessels of different shapes and sizes, as well as two ostraca, one of which contains hieroglyphic text while the second bears text written in Hieratic.
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| Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities |
A clay incense burner and remains of a small sandstone sphinx, 14 centimetres by 12.7 centimetres tall, have also been found within the tombs.
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| Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities |
Magdi Ibrahim, director general of Dakhla Oasis and head of the mission, said the mission succeeded in its six previous excavation seasons to discover eight Roman tombs in a good state of conservation and with similar architectural design. They are composed of a rectangular hall and two side chambers with sandstone vaulted ceilings. The hall has a mud brick ceiling.
Al-Shaghala area is located to the west of Mout city almost 3 kilometres from Dakhla Oasis in a mid-point between three other archaeological sites.
Author: Nevine El-Aref | Source: Ahram Online [August 23, 2017]
