Egyptian tombs beckon

The Leader (Jim Gainsford)

IT'S a long way from Kyle Bay to the tombs of ancient Egypt, but both places share many similarities, according to Egyptologist, Alexandra Woods.

Twice a year, Dr Woods, 25, travels from her home in Kyle Bay to work on an archaeological dig at the ancient cemetery of Saqqara, about an hour's drive from Cairo.

The recently appointed associate lecturer in Egyptology at Macquarie University's department of ancient history is among a team of experts from the university working in the cemetery of King Teti, who ruled about 2450BC.

Her job is to study and record the tomb paintings of the king's officials.

She recently presented her findings at the 10th International Congress of Egyptologists on the Greek island of Rhodes. The event is held every four years and attended by more than 500 of the world's leading Egyptologists.

Dr Woods spoke on her technique of dating tombs from Egypt's old kingdom (2700BC to 2300BC) by studying the art and inscriptions in their tombs.