Egyptian Archaeologists Unearth Two Tombs That Could Represent Early Development of Funerary Pyramids

Archaeologists working in Upper Egypt discovered two tombs dating to the Early Dynastic period, both of them at the fabled location known as Gabal El-Teir—or, as translated from Arabic, “Mountain of the Birds.”

The tombs date from 3100 to 2686 B.C.E. and “will allow researchers to trace the development of funerary architecture,” according to Archaeology Magazine, which noted that thick walls at the bottom that taper toward the top of the structures could represent an early stage in the development of pyramids.

As reported by Ahram Online, “The first early Dynastic tomb represents a rare architectural model distinguished by its unique geometric design, while the second tomb closely mirrors it in layout and is notably better preserved.” The publication cited Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), describing the discovery as similar to the storied tomb of King Den in Abydos and pointing out that “this resemblance underscores the archaeological importance of the Gabal El-Teir site and reinforces its status as a major necropolis used continuously from the Predynastic through to the Late Period.”

Stone blocks appear to have been removed from one of the tombs in later periods. But “the remaining sections have preserved valuable evidence of ancient construction techniques, including oxide lines that reveal precise stone-cutting methods, as well as large wooden supports used to reinforce the walls.”

Ahram Online noted that “excavations are ongoing at Gabal El-Teir, with archaeologists expecting further discoveries that will continue to illuminate the site’s historical and cultural significance.”