Archaeologists have uncovered a new group of rock-cut tombs in the southern city of Aswan, Egypt, providing new insights into burial practices from the Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BC), one of the earliest periods in ancient Egyptian history.
The discovery was announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which said the tombs were found during the current excavation season by an Egyptian mission working under the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Officials said the find adds to growing archaeological evidence from Upper Egypt, a region that played a key role in the formation of the early Egyptian state more than 4,000 years ago.
Burial chambers found at Qubbat El Hawa
The tombs were discovered at Qubbat El Hawa, a large necropolis on the west bank of the Nile opposite Aswan. The site is known for housing elite burials spanning several historical periods.
According to the ministry, the newly identified tombs date to the Old Kingdom, which lasted from about 2686 to 2181 BC. The period is associated with the construction of pyramids and the development of centralized royal authority.
Researchers identified burial shafts and underground chambers carved directly into the rock. Inside, they found pottery vessels, jewelry, and small amulets. Such objects were typically placed in graves to accompany the dead into the afterlife.
Evidence of reuse across later periods
Officials said the discovery also supports ongoing documentation work at Qubbat El Hawa, which contains tombs reused over many centuries.
Hisham El Leithy, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said evidence shows the newly uncovered tombs were reused during the First Intermediate Period and later during the Middle Kingdom.
He said the continued use of the site reflects its lasting importance, even during times of political change and decentralization. Researchers will continue studying the tombs to better understand how burial traditions evolved at the site.
Pottery vessels and funerary objects recovered
In a statement, Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said two burial chambers contained about 160 pottery vessels of different sizes and shapes.
Most of the vessels are well preserved and bear inscriptions written in hieratic script, a cursive form of ancient Egyptian used for everyday and administrative purposes. Preliminary studies suggest the containers were used to store liquids and grains.
Archaeologists also found a collection of objects in the outer courtyard of the tombs dating to the Middle Kingdom. These include bronze mirrors, alabaster kohl containers, beaded necklaces, and amulets. The finds indicate continued activity at the site and shifts in burial customs over time.
Officials said excavations at Qubbat El Hawa are ongoing, and further discoveries are expected.
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