Photos: 3,400-Year-Old Tomb Along Nile River

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The Afterlife

Inside the 3,400-year-old tomb on Sai Island, archaeologists found this stone shabti, meant to do the work of the deceased in the afterlife.

(Image credit: AcrossBorders project/Julia Budka)

[Read the full story on the tomb's discovery]

Master gold worker

The shabti has an Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription on it, which says that the tomb was originally constructed for a man named "Khnummose," who was a "master gold worker."

(Image credit: AcrossBorders project/Julia Budka)

The shabti has an Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription on it, which says that the tomb was originally constructed for a man named "Khnummose," who was a "master gold worker."

Khnummose and wife

The ancient tomb found on Sai Island seems to have been built for a man named Khnummose. His remains remains along with those of possibly his wife were buried there.

(Image credit: AcrossBorders project/Julia Budka)

The burial of Khnummose and an identified woman who may have been his wife can be seen here. Unfortunately, the skeletons and wooden coffins in the tomb did not preserve well. If you look closely, the remains of gold funerary masks (especially an eye) can be seen.

Heart scarab

A heart scarab, a type of Egyptian amulet, was found with the burials of Khnummose and the woman who may be his wife.

(Image credit: AcrossBorders project/Julia Budka)

A heart scarab, a type of Egyptian amulet, was found with the burials of Khnummose and the woman who may be his wife.

Studying hieroglyphics

The heart scarab contains an Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription that is being studied.

(Image credit: AcrossBorders project/Julia Budka)

The heart scarab contains an Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription that is being studied. Archaeologists excavated the tomb in 2017 and they continue to analyze the artifacts. For instance, they plan to run DNA analyses on the skeletal remains.

Hidden chamber

This burial chamber was found hidden behind a plastered stone in the 3,400-year-old tomb.

(Image credit: AcrossBorders project/Julia Budka)

This burial chamber was found hidden behind a plastered stone in the 3,400-year-old tomb. Excavation of this chamber revealed the remains of nine adults and two infants, along with scarabs, pottery and a gold ring.

Tomb layout

This map shows all the chambers and corridors in the tomb, which can be entered through a shaft.

(Image credit: AcrossBorders project/Julia Budka)

This map shows all the chambers and corridors in the tomb, which can be entered through a shaft. At the back of a chamber (feature 2), there is a trench (feature 4) holding several burials. At the bottom of the trench is a chamber (feature 6 on the map) that holds the tomb of Khnummose and the woman who may be his wife. Another chamber (feature 5) was found behind a plastered stone and has the burials of nine adults and two infants along with several artifacts.

[Read the full story on the tomb's discovery]

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Owen Jarus
Owen Jarus
Live Science Contributor

Owen Jarus is a regular contributor to Live Science who writes about archaeology and humans' past. He has also written for The Independent (UK), The Canadian Press (CP) and The Associated Press (AP), among others. Owen has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto and a journalism degree from Ryerson University.