In brief
A team of Egyptian and American archaeologists has discovered a massive tomb dating back 3,600 years at the Abydos necropolis, which is likely connected to a previously unknown pharaoh. This find, celebrated as the second of its kind in recent months, provides fresh insights into a lost dynasty of Egyptian rulers.
Archaeologists have made an exciting discovery at the ancient necropolis of Abydos in Egypt, revealing the tomb of an unknown pharaoh. The collaborative team, consisting of Egyptian specialists and researchers from the Penn Museum, announced on Thursday that the burial site appears to date back approximately 3,600 years. This groundbreaking excavation marks the second instance this year of uncovering a royal tomb.The newly found tomb is situated nearly 23 feet beneath the surface at Abydos, an ancient Egyptian city located about 300 miles south of Cairo. Renowned as a burial ground for some of the earliest pharaohs, the site also became a significant pilgrimage destination in ancient times. Within the necropolis, a burial site developed alongside Anubis Mountain, positioned at the base of a steep desert cliff where powerful winds blow sand, effectively covering architectural remains which may be as deep as 16 to 19 feet.The burial chamber of this tomb showcases an ornate entryway, multiple rooms, and impressive 16-foot vaulted ceilings constructed from mud bricks. This tomb is considerably larger than another discovered in Abydos over ten years ago, which was previously considered the first tangible evidence of a "lost" dynasty of kings.“It’s an exciting step forward in understanding this dynasty,” remarked Josef W. Wegner, a curator at the Penn Museum leading the American excavations. He emphasized the significance of this newly uncovered site, noting that it heralds a new chapter in the exploration of Egypt's royal history.
