Friday, February 22, 2008

Spain celebrates Pharaoh digs and digger

eTurboNews (Hazel Heyer)

In Thebes, archeologists revealed an intact 11th dynasty burial of a man called Iker in the Dra Abul Naga area on Luxor's west bank. Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni announced the discovery recently, adding that the burial was found by a Spanish archaeological mission during routine excavation work in the open courtyard of TT11, the tomb of Djehuty.

Dr. Zahi Hawass, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said that inside Iker's burial shaft, the mission found a closed wooden coffin painted in red and decorated with an inscription running along all four sides. It also bears drawings showing Iker presenting offerings to the goddess Hathor, otherwise known as the mistress of the skies. Hawass explained that the coffin is very well preserved except for its base, which has suffered termite damage. The remains will be restored and consolidated before it is removed from the burial so that excavation can go on. A collection of five 11th and 12th dynasties vessels was also found in the shaft, along with five arrows, three of which were still feathered.

Dr. Jose Galán, the head of the Spanish mission, said that further excavation will bring more of the burial to light and will enable the mission to uncover more of its funerary collection. The coffin will be removed, as it is blocking the entrance to the inner part of the small rock recess used as a burial chamber.



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