LONDON, Mar 28: A 3,800-year-old tomb holding the mummy of powerful governor’s family has been discovered along the Nile River in Egypt.
Archaeologists from University of Jaen in Spain have discovered two coffins, at least one mummy, and wooden models of boats and people. The tomb structure appears to hold multiple burials.
About 14 members of Shemai’s extended family have been found so far in Egypt, with recent research indicating that women played a vital role in this family, acting as “bearers of legitimacy,” researchers said.
“Additionally, part of the structure was robbed in ancient times and another part of the tomb has yet to be excavated,” said Alejandro Jimenez-Serrano of University of Jaen.
An inscription on one of the coffins said that it contained the burial of Shemai, who was a younger brother of Sarenput II, a governor of Elephantine and a military general during the reigns of pharaoh Senwosret II (reign circa 1887–1878 BC) and pharaoh Senwosret III (reign circa 1878–1840 BC), ‘Live Science’ reported.
“We have found the mummy-body of Shemai, but we left him in his original position, in his coffin. The next year, we will have the opportunity to look at his face,” said Jimenez-Serrano.
“Such high numbers of individuals provide a unique opportunity to study the living conditions of the high class in Egypt more than 3,800 years ago,” according to the Ministry of Antiquities in Egypt. (AGENCIES)
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