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  • Egyptian Sarcophagus Found in Israel

    Egyptian Sarcophagus Found in Israel

    A sarcophagus (coffin) dating back to the Bronze Age was recently found in the Jezreel Valley in Israel.

    Archaeologists dug up the cylinder-shaped sarcophagus while exploring the Tel Shadud mound in the valley.

    The foot of the body was first discovered, but after three weeks of brushing away dirt, the face of the mystery person was revealed.

    Edwin van den Brink, an Egyptologist and archaeologist with Israel’s Antiquities Authority, told The Associated Press that the carcass had a really “beautiful” and “serene” face.

    The top of the sarcophagus was broken into pieces covering most of the body, but the head was very visible.

    The Antiquities Authority said in a statement that they additionally found “an anthropoidal lid surrounded by a variety of pottery, consisting mainly of storage vessels for food, tableware, cult vessels and animal bones.”

    However, the discovery of a gold scarab ring really put everything into perspective for the archeologists.

    Located on the ring was the carving of Pharaoh Seti I’s name. Seti ruled Egypt during 13th Century BC. He was also the father of Pharaoh Ramses II, who is commonly identified as the Egyptian ruler in the biblical book of Exodus at the time of Israel’s escape from slavery.

    It’s unclear if the unidentified man was Egyptian or Canaanite, but one thing is for certain-he was involved in governmental matters.

    “Since the vessels interred with the individual were produced locally, we assume the deceased was an official of the Canaanite origin who was engaged in the service of the Egyptian government,” researchers said.

    Others believe that the man may have just been a tax collector or just a wealthy man who copied the funerary standards of Egyptian pharaohs.

    Archaeologists plan to have DNA testing done to confirm the corpse’s identity.

    They hope to find more sarcophagi in the same area.

    Images via YouTube

  • 3,600-Year-Old Mummy Unearthed In Luxor Egypt

    A routine dig in Luxor, Egypt has resulted in the discovery of a sarcophagus – with a mummy inside and intact. The team of Egyptian and Spanish archeologists that led the excavation were working on a tomb when they unearthed an elaborately painted and well preserved sarcophagus carved with a human face. It is believed to be 3,600 years old.

    According to Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, the burial took place in 1600 BC during the reign of the Pharaonic 17th Dynasty. The country’s Antiquities Minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, added that the mummy used to be a government official based on the titles etched in the 6 ½-foot sarcophagus. In addition, the ornate design and detailed inscriptions may signify that the official held a high position. Archeologists have yet to determine the precise identity of the mummy.

    Sarcophagi are common burial vessels used by Ancient Egyptians to protect their dead royals. They were carved and decorated according to the physical attributes of the deceased so that they can be distinguished from one another. Alabaster and limestone are common materials used to make sarcophagi in Ancient Egypt. Other ancient cultures like the Greeks and Romans made use of sarcophagi to commemorate their dead.

    The same Spanish-Egyptian team conducted another dig at the Draa Abul-Naga necropolis also in Luxor, and discovered two additional burials. However, both sarcophagi were empty. Al-Ahram, the country’s state-run newspaper,  says that the tombs may have been robbed in ancient times.

    Egyptian prosecution has been addressing the problem of smuggling and damaging ancient relics by charging both local and foreign thieves. Three German nationals have recently been brought to criminal court for conspiring with six Egyptians in smuggling antiquities. The Germans pretended to be researchers to gain easier access to the stolen relics. They have since fled back to Germany although Egyptian authorities plan to work with the German government in order to recover the pieces.

    Image via YouTube