Archaeologists in Egypt have made a remarkable discovery at the Saqqara necropolis, revealing a collection of ancient tombs, vibrant mummy masks, and a statue representing the “god of silence.” The excavation was led by Nozomu Kawai, Director of the Institute for the Study of Ancient Civilizations and Cultural Resources at Kanazawa University in Japan, in collaboration with the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The tombs, spanning a period from approximately 1,800 to 4,800 years ago, include artifacts from various dynasties of ancient Egypt. Among the most notable findings is a small statue depicting Harpocrates, the Greek god associated with silence, riding a goose. This symbolizes the triumph of the Divine Child over an evil spirit. Harpocrates is often portrayed as a child and is known for symbolizing silence.
Other significant discoveries include colorful mummy masks that likely date back to the Roman period (29 B.C. to A.D. 641) and a stela, a carved stone slab, belonging to a man named “Heroides.” The site also revealed a range of artifacts from the Second Dynasty, the 18th Dynasty, the Late Period, and items from the Ptolemaic and Roman times.
One of the oldest tombs, dating back to the Second Dynasty (approximately 4,800 years ago), contained an Egyptian alabaster plate and a damaged wooden box coffin with a crouching burial inside. Another tomb from the 18th Dynasty held a mummy within a coffin.
Saqqara, located about 30km south of Cairo and 22km southeast of the Pyramids of Giza, has been a burial ground from the 1st Dynasty to the Christian era and continues to yield important archaeological findings, shedding light on the rich history and culture of ancient Egypt.
These discoveries at Saqqara provide invaluable insights into the evolution of Egyptian burial practices and the sociocultural dynamics of the time. They also highlight the continuous significance of the Saqqara necropolis as a site for understanding ancient Egyptian civilization.