Egyptian Archaeologists Uncover Three Ancient Tombs at Bahariya Oasis

An Egyptian archaeological mission has discovered three tombs from different historical periods at the Sheikh Sobi archaeological site in the Bahariya Oasis. The news was reported by several outlets, including Arab News, following an announcement by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The site, which lies about 225 miles southwest of Giza, contains a necropolis used to bury governors and priests of the oasis during Egypt’s Late Period (664–332 BCE), as well as the Bawiti Temple, built during the 26th dynasty (664–525 BCE) in honor of the pharaoh Ahmose II, the last great native pharaoh before the Persian conquest of Egypt.

The newly discovered burial structures consist of a rock-cut family tomb containing five Late Period mummies, a Roman-period tomb in a stairwell-style design, and a third tomb, also dating to the Roman era, built around a burial shaft. Sabri Farag, director general of antiquities at the Bahariya Oasis and head of the mission, told Arab News that the 40-member mission, comprising archaeologists and other workers, had been excavating at the site for three months before the tombs were discovered.

The first tomb features a square shaft about 10 feet deep leading to two burial chambers. In the western chamber, archaeologists found a limestone sarcophagus containing a mummy wrapped in linen bandages. A larger northern chamber hosted four additional limestone sarcophagi holding linen-wrapped mummies, indicating that the tomb was used by members of the same family.

The second tomb consists of a staircase leading into a chamber. The lack of funerary decoration suggests that this chamber was never used for an actual burial. The third tomb consists of a rectangular well leading to a small hall or reception area believed to have been used to prepare mummies for burial. Two connected chambers contained fragments of sarcophagi.

Additional artifacts recovered during the excavation included pottery vessels, flasks, plates and offering tables made of limestone and sandstone. 

The team also recovered small terracotta votive figurines depicting maternal figures and stylized animals.

Egyptologist Dr. Hassan Selim told Arab News that artifacts from the site had a distinctive artistic character and noted that local artists did not always adhere to traditional ancient Egyptian styles. Instead, he noted, they revealed details about the daily life and religious beliefs in the region.