Remains of ancient Egyptian wooden ship predating pyramids discovered in Giza

Archaeologists discovered the wooden remains of a large ancient ship in Abusir necropolis near Badrasheen dating back over 4,600 years, predating the Pyramids of Giza.

Egypt’s Antiquities Ministry announced the discovery by a team of Czech archaeologists on its official Facebook page on Monday, asserting it is the first ship from Ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom. It was unearthed next to the tomb of an unknown nobleman, as opposed to a royal tomb, indicating his importance.

The Czech Institute of Egyptology suggest the nobleman’s tomb is associated with the era of Pharaoh Huni (reigned Circa 2,625 – 2,600 BC), as the king’s name was found on a stone bowl buried nearby. The tomb was discovered in 2009 and is unique in orientation, architectural details and size — measuring 53 by 24 meters.

The ship and fragments of pottery found near it are all said to be associated with the same unidentified nobleman, for whom they were made, according to the ministry. The wooden beams of the ship are around 18 meters long.

According to ancient Egyptian rituals, the ship and pottery were buried with the nobleman for use in the afterlife. A similar ship, known as Pharaoh Khufu’s Solar Boat, was found buried next to the Great Pyramid of Giza, and has been better preserved than the nobleman’s ship.

Further analysis of the ship is being conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University, according to the Czech Institute’s chief archaeologist Miroslav Barta.