What To Know
- On December 16, a French team uncovered a reinterred sarcophagus from the Middle Kingdom in Luxor, Egypt, sparking significant anthropological inquiries.
- An ancient burial unearthedA team of French archaeologists made a groundbreaking discovery on December 16 in Luxor, Egypt.
- Currently housed in a custom-built wooden container, the sarcophagus will undergo further examination in 2025 with the aid of 3D modeling and expertise from archeoanthropologists.
On December 16, a French team uncovered a reinterred sarcophagus from the Middle Kingdom in Luxor, Egypt, sparking significant anthropological inquiries.
an ancient burial unearthed
A team of French archaeologists made a groundbreaking discovery on December 16 in Luxor, Egypt. They unearthed a reinterred sarcophagus dating back to the Middle Kingdom (late 21st century to late 18th century BCE). The find was reported by Agence France Presse last Sunday. Currently housed in a custom-built wooden container, the sarcophagus will undergo further examination in 2025 with the aid of 3D modeling and expertise from archeoanthropologists.
unraveling ancient practices
This two-month excavation was conducted by members of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology and the University of Strasbourg. Led by Frédéric Colin, director of the Institute of Egyptology, this remarkable discovery provides insights into how ancient Egyptians treated the tombs and mummified bodies of their ancestors. According to Colin, it raises important anthropological questions regarding burial practices.
- The need for reburial due to public works
- Expropriation of deceased bodies
- Reinterment indicating previous exhumation
future excavations planned
This recent find follows earlier excavations between 2018 and 2019 that revealed five New Kingdom sarcophagi (14th to 9th century BCE) also believed to be reinterred. Researchers are investigating whether this practice was common at the time. Over three excavation campaigns spanning six months, they explored stratified layers over eight meters high that accumulated over nearly 3,000 years. For now, only a superficial layer containing the coffin has been touched. The next excavation is scheduled for October 2025.
