With photograph
A necropolis consisting of 53 rock-cut tombs dating to the Middle (ca. 2061-1786 BC) and New (ca. 1569-1081 BC) Kingdoms and the 22nd Dynasty (ca. 931-725 BC) has been discovered by an Egyptian archaeological mission sponsored by the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). The necropolis lies in the southeastern part of the pyramid field of Illahun in Egypt’s Faiyum region.
Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni announced the discovery, adding that the tombs vary in their designs. Some have a single burial shaft, while others have a shaft leading to an upper chamber, from which an additional shaft leads to a second, lower chamber. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the SCA, said that excavations inside these tombs had revealed wooden coffins containing linen-wrapped mummies covered in cartonnage. The decoration and inscriptions on the mummy trappings are well-preserved. Dr. Hawass added that the charred remains of a number of coffins were also recovered. They were probably burned during the Coptic Period. Among these coffins, the team found 15 painted masks, along with amulets and clay pots.
Yahoo! News
Archaeologists working in an Egyptian oasis have found a necropolis containing dozens of brightly painted mummies dating back as far as 4,000 years, the country's antiquities chief said on Sunday.
"The mission found dozens of mummies in 53 rock-hewn tombs dating to the Middle Kingdom" from 2061-1786 BC, Zahi Hawass told AFP.
"Four of the mummies date back to the 22nd Dynasty (931 to 725 BC) and are considered some of the most beautiful mummies found," he said.
The linen-wrapped mummies are painted in the still-bright traditional ancient Egyptian colours of turquoise, terracotta and gold.
The necropolis was uncovered near the Ilahun pyramid in Fayoum oasis south of Cairo.
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