An Egyptian archaeological mission has made a significant discovery at the Tel Al-Yahudiya archaeological site in Qalyubeya, uncovering several rock-cut tombs with diverse architectural designs. The site, primarily associated with the Hyksos period, has yielded new evidence of burial practices in the eastern Nile Delta. The rock-cut tombs, relatively rare in the region due to its clay-rich soil, date back to the late New Kingdom and were used through the Late Period.
The newly discovered tombs feature different architectural designs, with two main types identified. The first type has a staircase leading to a hall with burial niches, while the second consists of a rectangular shaft leading to two burial chambers. According to Ayman Ashmawy, adviser to the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, such rock-cut tombs are uncommon in the Delta due to its predominantly clay soil. Similar tombs can be found at Kom El-Shoqafa in Alexandria and other archaeological sites along the North Coast.
The mission, led by Anwar Abdel Samad, Director General of the Qalyubeya Archaeological Area, also uncovered remains of a Roman camp in the upper layers of the site. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the area continued to be used during later historical periods, highlighting the site's strategic importance over time. The Roman camp's presence suggests that the site played a significant role in the region during the Roman period.
The excavations yielded a number of artefacts associated with the tombs, which helped researchers establish their chronology and determine the periods during which they were used. The artefacts, along with archaeological evidence, indicate that the tombs date back to the late New Kingdom and continued to be used through the Late Period. The discovery provides valuable insights into the development of burial practices in the eastern Delta across different historical periods.
The Tel Al-Yahudiya site has a rich history, with archaeological evidence indicating that it was used during the Greek and Roman periods. The site was primarily associated with the Hyksos period, when it hosted a large camp. The ongoing excavations aim to uncover further remains of the Roman camp and provide a better understanding of the site's significance in the region.
The discovery of the rock-cut tombs and Roman camp remains is significant not only for their architectural diversity but also because they provide new evidence of burial practices in the eastern Nile Delta. The findings could contribute to a better understanding of the development of burial practices in the region across different historical periods. The mission is continuing excavations at the site to uncover further remains.
The Egyptian archaeological mission's discovery has shed new light on the historical significance of the Tel Al-Yahudiya site in Qalyubeya. The findings highlight the site's strategic importance over time and provide valuable insights into the region's burial practices during different historical periods. The ongoing excavations are expected to yield further discoveries, contributing to a better understanding of Egypt's rich history.
Key points
- The discovery provides new evidence of burial practices in the eastern Nile Delta, where rock-cut tombs are relatively rare due to the region's clay-rich soil.
