The joint Egyptian-American archaeological mission dedicated to the restoration of the Asasif necropolis in southern Egypt has made a monumental discovery during cleaning and excavation work in the southern sector of the tomb of Karabasken (TT 391), belonging to the 25th dynasty. The discovery of the first tomb from the Middle Kingdom in this area has revealed exceptionally well-preserved archaeological remains.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized the importance of this find, noting that it could alter our understanding of Asasif’s historical relevance, now considered a significant necropolis during the Middle Kingdom. This could also provide a better understanding of the funerary practices and rituals of ancient Thebes in that period. In Dr. Khaled’s words, this discovery places the Asasif necropolis among the great necropolises of the Middle Kingdom, offering valuable insights into the funerary practices of a civilization that flourished along the banks of the Nile.
The tomb contained eleven burials that, surprisingly, were completely sealed and had never been opened, preserving skeletal remains of men, women, and children. This suggests that it was a family tomb used across multiple generations during the 12th and 13th dynasties. The discoveries indicate that this tomb was reserved for members of a family of high social status or economic power in ancient Egyptian society, as evidenced by the jewelry and other valuable objects accompanying the deceased.
The archaeological team found a collection of extraordinary jewelry that adorned the bodies, particularly in the female burials. According to Dr. Ayman Ashmawi, head of the Department of Egyptian Antiquities, the tomb had suffered significant damage from floods over the centuries, which deteriorated the wooden coffin structures and linen textiles. However, items made from more durable materials, like metals and precious stones, remained remarkably intact. The bones and artifacts were found in their original positions, allowing archaeologists to study the funerary context in an almost pristine state.
Among the most notable finds was a unique pendant composed of thirty cylindrical amethyst beads, flanked by agate beads and a central amulet in the shape of a hippopotamus head, a symbol of fertility and protection in Egyptian mythology. Numerous necklaces, bracelets, rings, and belts made from various materials were also discovered, including blue and green glazed ceramic, fine stone coated with enamel, and red agate, adorned with amulets in the shape of hippopotamus, falcon, and snake heads, all in an admirable state of preservation.
Dr. Elena Pishkova, director of the South Asasif conservation project, revealed additional details about the pieces found. Among the burials, two copper mirrors were located. One had a lotus flower-shaped handle, and the other featured the face of the goddess Hathor in a unique design showing four faces with a stern expression, an uncommon characteristic in representations of this deity associated with beauty, love, and music.
Alongside the mirrors, archaeologists found copper ingots and a small fertility sculpture made of faience, with fragmented legs and hair decorated with thousands of clay beads, imitating the original style.
Another standout discovery was a square offering table, with a low edge and a water channel in the center surrounded by reliefs depicting a bull’s head, loaves of bread, and other foods, symbols of abundance and provisions that, according to Egyptian beliefs, would aid the deceased in their journey to the afterlife. This offering table highlights the importance of the ritual of food supply for the deceased, as well as the continuous evolution of funerary practices over time.
The archaeological mission has announced that excavations will continue in the coming months, with the hope of uncovering more secrets from this enigmatic Middle Kingdom tomb. Every fragment found and every object examined will provide new information about life and death in ancient Egypt, allowing experts to reconstruct more accurately the funerary rites and the concept of the afterlife held by the inhabitants of Thebes during the 12th and 13th dynasties.
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