An Egyptian archaeological mission operating at the Sheikh Sobi site in the Bahariya Oasis—located approximately 365 kilometers southwest of Giza Governorate—has uncovered three tombs dating to various historical periods, alongside a collection of artifacts during its current excavation season.
اضافة اعلان
The Sheikh Sobi site features a necropolis cut into a sandstone hill that served as a burial ground for governors and priests of the Bahariya Oasis during the Late Period. The area also houses the Bawiti Temple, constructed during the 26th Dynasty by the governor of the oasis, Djed-Khonsu-Iuf-Ankh, to honor King Ahmose II.
Three Distinct Tombs
Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in a statement on Wednesday that the mission uncovered three distinct tombs: a rock-cut family tomb dating to the Late Period, an unadorned Roman-era stair tomb, and a shaft-style Roman-era collective tomb.
The first tomb consists of a square shaft approximately 3 meters deep, ending in two burial chambers. The western chamber contains a limestone sarcophagus resting in a floor recess, housing a linen-wrapped mummy in a layout typical of the Late Period. The larger northern chamber appears to have served other family members, containing four limestone sarcophagi, each holding a linen-draped mummy.
The second tomb features a small shaft leading down three steps to a burial chamber that, according to archaeological evidence, was never utilized.
The third tomb comprises a rectangular shaft leading to an open-air reception hall where mummies were prepared before being placed into one of two adjacent chambers. The southern chamber yielded fragments of a terracotta sarcophagus, while the eastern chamber contained a partially damaged limestone sarcophagus. Excavations at the shaft's eastern entrance also revealed a side burial containing a broken cylindrical terracotta coffin with an anthropoid lid featuring distinct facial details.
Archaeological Finds
The excavations yielded various artifacts, including pottery vessels, small flasks, plates, and several limestone and sandstone offering tables. Archaeologists also recovered small terracotta votive figurines representing maternal and stylized animal figures.
The ministry stated that the mission will continue its work in upcoming seasons, aiming to uncover additional tombs and shed further light on successive generations of the oasis’s historic inhabitants.
