An Egyptian archaeological team has uncovered several rock-cut tombs, ancient artifacts, and additional remains of a Roman camp at Tell el-Yahudiya in Egypt’s Nile Delta. The discoveries were made during ongoing excavations at the archaeological site in Qalyubia Governorate, north of Cairo.
The newly uncovered tombs follow two main architectural designs, according to Ayman Ashmawy, adviser to the secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. The first type has a staircase leading down to a hall containing niches used for burials. The second consists of a rectangular shaft that leads to two separate burial chambers.
Archaeologists also recovered a collection of artifacts associated with the tombs. The objects provided evidence that helped the team determine when the burials took place and identify different phases of activity at the site. Above the tombs, the mission uncovered additional remains of a Roman camp. Archaeologists are continuing to excavate the structure in the site’s upper archaeological layers.
Tombs date from the late New Kingdom
Evidence from the excavations indicates that the tombs date to the late New Kingdom and remained in use through Egypt’s Late Period. Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the findings show continued burial activity at Tell el-Yahudiya across successive periods. The discovery adds to a growing record of ancient Egyptian funerary sites. Archaeologists recently uncovered 3,000-year-old rock-cut tombs at Saqqara, also dating to the New Kingdom.
The Tell el-Yahudiya tombs are particularly significant because rock-cut burials are relatively rare in the Nile Delta. Much of the region has clay-rich soil, making this type of burial structure uncommon. Other discoveries have revealed the diversity of burial traditions in the region. Recent excavations at Tell El-Deir in the Nile Delta uncovered human-shaped tombstones and other funerary objects spanning different periods.
Rare tomb designs offer clues to burial traditions
Ashmawy said the newly discovered tomb designs are especially notable for Qalyubia and the wider eastern Delta. Other examples of rock-cut tombs have been documented in Alexandria and along Egypt’s northern coast. Archaeologists recently uncovered 18 ancient tombs near Alexandria, including 11 rock-cut tombs.
The Tell el-Yahudiya findings could help researchers better understand how burial traditions developed in the eastern Delta over time.
The site remained important for centuries
Anwar Abdel-Samad, director-general of Qalyubia Antiquities and head of the archaeological mission, said Tell el-Yahudiya has strong links to the Hyksos period, when a large camp existed there. Activity continued during later periods. Evidence shows the site remained in use during the Greek and Roman eras. Other Nile Delta discoveries, including tombs at Tell Quesna, have similarly revealed evidence of burial activity continuing into the Late and Greco-Roman periods.
The Roman camp found above the earlier tombs adds another layer to Tell el-Yahudiya’s history. Together, the discoveries show that the site remained active across several periods of Egypt’s past.
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