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Archaeologists from Charles University in Prague have revealed two groundbreaking finds in Abusir, Egypt: a 4500-year-old boat and the burial site of Queen Khentkaus III, a queen previously unknown to history.
The boat, found in exceptional condition, is the first from the Old Kingdom discovered near a non-royal tomb. Queen Khentkaus III's tomb offers fresh insights into Egypt's Fifth Dynasty (circa 2465–2323 BCE). These discoveries emphasize Abusir's significance as a key archaeological location.
Egyptian elites were traditionally buried with boats, a practice dating back to the Early Dynastic Period. The Czech team uncovered the approximately 60-foot-long boat near a mud-brick mastaba tomb. Although the tomb's size suggests its occupant was wealthy, its distance from a royal pyramid indicates the individual was not a king.
Location where the boat was unearthed. Image credit: © Lucie Kettnerová, Archives of the Czech Institute of Egyptology, Charles University
"This find is exceptionally rare, as vessels of this scale and design were typically reserved for the highest echelons of society, often those connected to the royal family," stated Miroslav Bárta, the excavation leader, in a statement.
The arid desert environment helped preserve the boat's wooden planks, pegs, plant fiber battens, and portions of its ropes. Given that many ancient Egyptian boats are found fragmented or deteriorated, this discovery could provide fresh insights into historical shipbuilding methods, according to experts.
While scholars are divided on why ancient Egyptians included boats in burials, a prevailing theory suggests they were intended to aid the soul's journey in the afterlife. The team anticipates this vessel will be the first of many found in Abusir. "The presence of one boat strongly suggests the possibility of others," Bárta remarked.
View of Queen Khentkaus III's tomb from the northeast. Image credit: © Jaromír Krejčí, Archives of the Czech Institute of Egyptology, Charles University
The Czech team located Queen Khentkaus III's burial site close to the pyramid of Pharaoh Neferefre (2431–2420 BCE). This positioning implies she was both his spouse and the mother of his heir, King Menkauhore.
Given the limited knowledge about King Menkauhore, the queen's tomb could provide valuable insights into his reign. "This discovery fills a gap in the history of the Fifth Dynasty, adding to the existing mosaic of knowledge. Further revelations are anticipated. It highlights the significant role women played at the royal court and in Ancient Egyptian society," Bárta stated in a release.
Shown below are several limestone vessels interred with Queen Khentkaus III.
Image credit: © Martin Frouz, Archives of the Czech Institute of Egyptology, Charles University
