An Egyptian archaeological mission working on excavations at the Kom Al-Khaljan site in Daqahleya governorate have discovered 110 ancient tombs dating to three different civilisations.
The mission, headed by Sayed Al-Talhawi, identified the tombs as belonging to the ancient pre-dynastic civilisation of Lower Egypt known as Bhutto 1 and 2, the civilisation of Naqada III, and the second transition era known as the Hyksos period.
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the discovery is an important historical and archaeological addition to the site. Among the tombs found were 68 dating back to Bhutto 1 and 2, five tombs from the Naqada III era, and 37 tombs from the Hyksos era. The excavations will continue to reveal more secrets from this region.
Ayman Ashmawi, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, added that the 68 tombs are oval-shaped pits cut into the island’s sandy layer. These contain people buried in a squatting position, most of whom were discovered lying on their left side with their head pointing westward.
The remains of a baby buried inside a pottery vase from the Bhutto 2 period was also discovered, alongside a small pot of spherical pottery placed with it.
Ashmawi said that the five tombs, which date back to the Naqada III period, are also oval-shaped pits cut into the island’s sandy layer, and include two tombs that had their sides, bottoms, and roof covered with a layer of clay.
Inside the pits, the mission found a collection of distinctive funerary furniture for this period, cylindrical and triangular pots. Other discoveries were kohl plate prayers, whose surface was decorated with geometric drawings and shapes.
Nadia Khader, head of the Central Department of Lower Egypt at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that 31 of the Hyksos tombs uncovered are semi-rectangular pits ranging in depths between 20 cm and 85 cm.
They are characterised by the fact that all their burials are in an extended position and the head is heading west and face upwards.
In addition, a pottery coffin for a child was found inside a burial ground, alongside two brick tombs in the form of a rectangular building with the children’s burials and some funeral furniture.
The furniture included a small pottery vase and silver rings, as well as the remains of a baby buried inside a large pottery pot. The funerary furniture was placed inside the pot, which was represented in a small black pottery vase.
The mission also discovered a collection of ovens, stoves, remnants of brick buildings, crockery, and amulets, some of which were made of semi-precious stones, and ornaments such as earrings.
