Archaeologists unearth treasure trove of jewelry from Egyptian Middle Kingdom tomb

Archaeologists from the U.S. and Egypt have discovered a Middle Kingdom (1938 B.C.–1630 B.C.) tomb near Luxor, revealing 11 intact burials. The find, reported by various news outlets, offers new insights into ancient Egyptian burial practices.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced that the skeletons of five women, two men, and five children were uncovered, suggesting a family tomb. Floods had damaged the wooden coffins and linens, but remarkably, a rich collection of jewelry remained intact.

The South Asasif Conservation Project, which led the excavation, reported the discovery of numerous jewelry pieces, including necklaces, bracelets, armlets, scarab rings, and girdles crafted from amethyst, carnelian, garnet, blue-green glazed faience, and feldspar.

One notable find was a necklace featuring 30 amethyst beads and two agate beads surrounding a hippo amulet. A blue-green fertility figurine also stood out among the artifacts.

“This figurine is skillfully modeled, adorned with jewelry, and decorated with lozenge markings on the legs and torso,” explained Dr. Elena Pischikova, the project’s director. The figurine’s head had holes for attaching strands of hair, with approximately 4,000 mud beads found nearby that likely represented its original hair.

This discovery aligns with Egypt’s efforts to boost tourism by highlighting its rich archaeological heritage, attracting visitors keen to explore ancient artifacts.