Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered about 20 human-shaped limestone tombstones, ceramic sarcophagi, funerary amulets, decorated oil lamps, and incense burners during excavations at the Tell El-Deir archaeological site in the Nile Delta. The discoveries provide new evidence that the site served as a major funerary center for centuries rather than a simple burial ground.
The finds were made by an Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities during this year’s excavation season at Tell El-Deir in Damietta Governorate. Researchers said the artifacts offer new insight into ancient burial customs and the evolution of funerary traditions in the eastern Nile Delta.
Human-shaped tombstones reveal Egyptian and Greco-Roman influences
Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said archaeologists uncovered about 20 limestone tombstones carved in the shape of human figures. The tombstones display exceptional craftsmanship and feature detailed carvings on their sides and backs.
The decorations include symbolic and religious figures such as griffins, Agathodaemon, and Isis Thermouthis. Abdel Badie said the imagery reflects a blend of ancient Egyptian beliefs and Greco-Roman artistic traditions. The elaborate carvings also suggest that the people buried at the site belonged to a high social class.
The excavation also uncovered a large collection of ceramic incense burners, decorated oil lamps in different styles, barrel-shaped ceramic sarcophagi with human features, and several funerary amulets.
Researchers said these artifacts provide a more complete picture of the rituals and symbolic practices associated with ancient burials across different historical periods.
Excavation confirms Tell El-Deir was a major funerary center
Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the discoveries could help researchers better understand how cemeteries developed across Egypt’s Nile Delta. He said the evidence confirms that Tell El-Deir was a fully developed funerary center with its own distinct social, cultural, and religious identity.
He added that the discoveries strengthen the site’s importance as one of the eastern Nile Delta’s most significant archaeological locations. Its rich archaeological remains could reshape researchers’ understanding of ancient settlements and burial landscapes while providing fresh insight into the ancient history of Damietta Governorate.
Site records centuries of changing burial traditions
Researchers said the discoveries show that Tell El-Deir remained occupied from the Late Period through the end of the Roman period. The long sequence of use preserved evidence of how burial customs, religious beliefs and social traditions changed over several centuries.
The archaeological mission said the site offers a rare record of life and death in the eastern Nile Delta. Together, the newly uncovered tombstones, sarcophagi and ceremonial objects provide one of the clearest pictures yet of the region’s evolving funerary practices and reinforce Tell El-Deir’s importance as one of Egypt’s key archaeological sites.
Dr. Hisham El-Leithy said the Supreme Council of Antiquities continues to support the Egyptian mission working at Tell El-Deir as part of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ broader efforts to advance archaeological research across Egypt.
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