Buzz
Often regarded as the longest river in the world, the Nile winds through 11 contemporary nations. This ancient river gave birth to numerous civilizations and bloody conflicts, leaving behind countless cemeteries along its shores. While some graves have yielded history-altering discoveries, not all of them can be completely explained.
10. The Alabaster Tiye
In 2017, workers near Luxor uncovered a massive statue of King Amenhotep III (1390–1352 BC). During the process, they stumbled upon a previously unknown statue that had been mysteriously hidden beside the king’s right leg all this time.
In contrast to the immense Amenhotep statue, the woman was crafted life-sized from alabaster. This 3,400-year-old sculpture is exceptional and masterfully made, thought by archaeologists to represent Queen Tiye.
Multiple statues of Tiye, the wife of Amenhotep III and grandmother of Tutankhamen, had already been discovered in the mortuary temple on the Nile's west bank. However, this one was the first not made from quartzite.
Remarkably well-preserved, the original colors used by the artist to paint her are still visible. This particular Tiye withstood a great deal—surviving looters, repeated floods from the Nile that damaged the temple, and even an earthquake that struck the complex in 27 BC.
9. Nelson’s Women
Centuries ago, British naval regulations prohibited women from boarding ships. However, recent excavations on Egypt's Nelson’s Island revealed that women not only sailed but also actively participated in the Battle of the Nile at Aboukir Bay.
Archaeologists have connected 40 graves to the renowned battle between the French and British forces, commanded by Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson, in 1798. Those who perished in the battle were buried at sea, while others who died later were interred on the island.
During the investigation of the burials, an unexpected discovery emerged. Alongside the graves of soldiers and sailors were those of women and infants. Despite the maritime laws, many officers were permitted to bring their families along.
In the heat of battle, these wives were not mere bystanders. British sailor John Nicoles, who participated in the battle, recorded in his memoirs how women were stationed by the guns, providing gunpowder to the gunners during the combat.
Sadly, none of the female casualties could be identified. One coffin was marked with a metal “G.” Historical records suggest three possible identities: a Scottish woman aboard the HMS Goliath, and two others referenced in Navy logbooks who were part of different Guards regiments.
8. The Charm of Cats
For a time, Egyptians were credited with domesticating the cat when artwork from 1950 BC depicted a cat lounging under a table. However, in 2004, that title shifted to Cyprus after a human grave was discovered containing a 9,500-year-old cat.
Although the title of first domestication may have been lost, a new genetic study might award Egypt the distinction of shaping modern cats’ affectionate nature. Four years after the Cyprus discovery, a cemetery along the Nile’s west bank yielded animals that were 3,500 years younger.
Genetic tests conducted on the Nile cats, along with 200 other specimens, revealed that the Egyptians likely transformed the once-shy wild mousers into the affectionate pets we know today. The first cats originated in Turkey—wild critters that gradually moved into human settlements around 10,000 years ago, carrying the mitochondrial type A.
Type C originated in Egypt thousands of years later. However, by the first millennium AD, they had spread so widely that there were two A cats for every C. Experts believe this happened because the C type retained more of its wild instincts, while the A type, being more domesticated, was preferred by people.
In fact, Egyptian art provides evidence that cats were deliberately bred to transition from wild animals to the beloved pets we know today.
7. The Mystery of Toe Rings
On the east bank of the Nile, Pharaoh Akhenaten, the son of Queen Tiye, left behind the remains of his capital, Amarna. Due to Akhenaten’s unpopularity, the city was abandoned shortly after his death, leaving only the dead to linger.
One grave contained the remains of a man in his late thirties, showing signs of bone trauma. The 3,300-year-old skeleton bore the marks of various injuries accumulated over his lifetime, including fractured ribs and a broken left radius. The right side of his body was even worse: the ulna, foot, and femur were all cracked.
A rare ring was discovered on his right second toe. Made from a copper alloy, this is only the second toe ring composed of mixed copper ever found in an Egyptian burial.
Since fashion would likely have led to more bodies with toe rings, experts hypothesize that this piece of jewelry may have served as a form of magical medicine to ease the man's pain. The right leg, especially, would have been extremely painful as it healed at the wrong angle.
However, this theory is not definitive. A second toe ring was found in the same cemetery, but the individual it belonged to showed no obvious signs of a painful condition.
6. The Luxor Mummy
On the west bank of the Nile, near the city of Luxor, stands a temple once dedicated to Pharaoh Thutmose III. Although it was known, the temple remained unexcavated for decades.
In 2009, the situation improved when archaeologists returned and uncovered a necropolis beneath the sacred temple. Of the 20-plus tombs discovered, one had survived the test of time better than the rest. Despite the usual looting and coffin damage, the male mummy’s cartonnage remained surprisingly intact.
This papyrus-layered body casing had been ravaged by termites in every other tomb. But the true mystery of the mummy, who was buried sometime between 1075 BC and 664 BC, lies in his identity and his connection to Thutmose III.
The only clue to his identity is found on the cartonnage, which mentions an individual named Amenrenef, a respected figure who served as a royal servant. While this is likely his name, researchers are still unsure why he was buried in the temple of one of Egypt’s most famous pharaohs.
5. The Headless Crocodiles
In 2015, a necropolis was uncovered at Gebel el-Silsila, revealing the graves of quarry workers and their families. Located near Aswan, the site included stone pits on both sides of the Nile and produced construction blocks dating back around 3,400 years.
An analysis of the skeletons provided typical details (the quarry workers lived in good health), but there were also unusual findings. The most puzzling was a crypt filled with sheep and goat burials, guarded by a crocodile standing sentinel over the courtyard.
The adult crocodile might have died naturally in front of what seemed to be a sacrificial chamber. But then a second reptile was discovered. Though not together, it was clear that both creatures had been deliberately placed between tombs after their death. Both had been positioned similarly and were missing their heads.
The crocodile guarding the courtyard faced north, while the second one was positioned to the south. It is worth noting that the patron god of Gebel el-Silsila was Sobek, a deity associated with crocodiles. Another strange find involved two infants. Although buried with great care, they were placed at a considerable distance from the other graves.
4. Tombs With Staircases
In another excavation on the west bank, near Aswan, 2017 proved to be a remarkable year for discoveries in Egypt. Archaeologists working near the Aga Khan Mausoleum aimed to uncover more about the area's history and were rewarded with a significant find.
They uncovered 10 tombs, each carved into stone and featuring grand staircases. The stairs led to a separate chamber containing sarcophagi that housed well-preserved mummies. Since this discovery is recent, little is known about the individuals buried there or their lives.
Archaeologists believe that the tombs, which date from between 712 BC and 332 BC, are part of a previously unidentified section of the West Aswan necropolis. This necropolis, rediscovered in the 20th century, is home to a vast array of graves spanning hundreds to thousands of years. Several of the tombs share architectural features with the staircase tombs.
3. The Children Who Built Amarna
In 2015, another unexpected discovery was made at Amarna, the city built by the controversial Pharaoh Akhenaten. Archaeologists uncovered the two worker cemeteries of the city.
From the first cemetery, the remains told a grim yet familiar story. The workers endured strenuous labor, suffered poor nutrition, faced injuries, and often died prematurely. The graves showed a diverse range of ages and genders, as expected.
The second cemetery proved to be even more surprising, though undeniably tragic. The majority of those buried were between the ages of 7 and 15, with the oldest around 25. The graves were simple, with few burial items. Some children were even disposed of in mass graves.
Traumatic injuries were prevalent among those aged 15 and younger. Around 16 percent showed signs of fractures and injuries sustained from physically demanding work. The neglect of their health and the lack of care after their death suggest these children were forced into labor for the city’s construction.
Some have speculated that these children were biblical Hebrew slaves. While experts agree on the forced labor aspect, it is believed that they were likely from a variety of groups. An early study indicated that the workers came from diverse backgrounds. Despite the ambiguity surrounding their origins, the remains shed light on the harsh treatment of Egypt’s coerced labor force.
2. A Hate Crime
The ruins of Hierakonpolis lie 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of Cairo, and the site holds great significance as the birthplace of ancient Egyptians. However, Tomb 72 provides a chilling glimpse into this pre-pharaoh society. The crypt contained the remains of an upper-class teenage male, and his burial involved a disturbing detail: the inclusion of 20 other people.
These individuals were likely sacrificed, as there were no signs of illness or malnutrition among them. In addition to the human remains, the tomb held the bodies of dogs, baboons, goats, an ostrich, and a leopard. Shortly after the burial, the tomb was disturbed. The grave's wealth was left untouched, but the body was dragged out and set on fire.
Even the wooden covering of the tomb showed signs of having been burned. The presence of valuable burial items and the violent treatment of the body, which was later scattered, suggest that the intrusion was motivated by revenge, not theft.
It may be nearly impossible to understand the motive behind this desecration. One theory points to class conflict, but aside from clear social distinctions visible in the graves, there is little evidence to firmly support this hypothesis.
1. Mongoose On A Leash
A team from Egypt's antiquities ministry recently embarked on the restoration of a 4,000-year-old cemetery in Beni Hassan. Located on the river’s eastern bank, the site was first documented by archaeologist Percy Newberry over a century ago. His discovery included an unusual find that many experts initially disagreed with.
On one of the walls, there was a painting depicting a man walking alongside two animals, both on leashes. While the dog was easily recognizable, Newberry speculated that the second animal might be a mongoose.
Modern researchers, involved in the site's restoration, had a different interpretation than Newberry's contemporaries. They noted that the creature appeared proportionally identical to the Egyptian mongoose, a species that, while never fully domesticated, was definitely depicted on a leash.
The reasoning behind this imagery might be tied to the hunting role of the dog, along with the presence of birds and human hunters. It’s possible that the mongoose was used to chase the birds out of their hiding places.
Regardless of the reason, this scene stands out as something distinct in Egyptian art. The question of why it was considered fitting for the deceased, Baqet I, a provincial governor, remains an enigma.
