Ancient Egyptian tomb discovered in Daqahlia

The Ministry of Antiquities announced on Wednesday the discovery of an Ancient Egyptian burial tomb in the Nile Delta governorate of Daqahlia, along with 180 accompanying statues dating back to the second century BC.

The mummified remains found in this burial tomb are those of a female, who name has been identified as “Nerty”, daughter of “Ratrs.” A limestone sarcophagus containing Nerty’s mummified remains was found within the mastaba (flat-topped burial tomb), which was freshly unearthed near the village of Tel al-Tebla.

Constructed from adobe bricks, and measuring ten meters by seven meters, this mastaba contains Nerty’s burial chamber along with underground compartments; the mummy’s sarcophagus measures 1.77 meters in length.

The top cover of Nerty’s sarcophagus is decorated and adorned with a line of Hieroglyphs - which are said to mention her honorary titles, along with supplications for the afterlife.

A total of 180 statues, arranged vertically, were also found at this archeological site, according to a press release issued by the minister of antiquities Mohamed Ibrahim.

These statues have been transported to the local antiquities laboratory – to undertake the necessary restorations, and to uncover further information regarding their owner.

According to the ministry, further archeological digs will carried out in the environs of this newly-found mastaba in hopes of unearthing additional building materials, and better understanding the history surrounding Nerty and her tomb.