33 Tombs with Unusual Mummies Discovered in Egypt

Researchers are studying the causes of their deaths.

A joint Egyptian-Italian archaeological expedition has discovered 33 tombs near the necropolis west of Aswan in Egypt. Preliminary studies have confirmed that the burials, many of which are family tombs, date back to the Greek and Roman periods.

This discovery is significant for understanding the living conditions of ancestors during this time in the region. Some tombs have preserved parts of mummies and remnants of burial items, which may provide insights into the daily life of the people who inhabited this not well-studied area. The architecture of the tombs also varies. Some have vaulted entrances with clay walls, while others are simply carved into the rock.

Archaeologists note that 30% to 40% of those buried were young people and even newborns. Among the well-preserved mummies is a woman with a child who died in the second year of life. Both bodies are still in a stone sarcophagus, and researchers are preparing to study them carefully to determine the circumstances of their deaths.

They also managed to find remains of painted boxes, clay and stone figurines, parts of wooden sarcophagi, and even altars for sacrifices in the tombs. There are enough items for scholars to conclude that people of moderate means were likely buried in this area. Archaeologists believe they may find other tombs in the vicinity.

Italian specialists participating in the excavations are analyzing the remains to study the causes of death. Signs of infectious diseases, skeletal disorders, and even traces of amputations have already been found. Some mummies show signs of respiratory diseases, tuberculosis, and osteoporosis.

Researchers believe that this necropolis can tell us a lot about the region's past and daily life during the Greek and Roman periods in Egypt.