Archaeologists Announce the Discovery of a 3,700 Year-Old Pyramid in Egypt

A land steeped in ancient history and thought to be the birthplace of Western civilization, Egypt — and its monuments in particular — continues to mystify and intrigue historians and archaeologists. The majority of these monuments reside on the west side of the Nile, known as the Land of the Dead. And on the east side of the Nile, monuments were reserved for the use of the living.

A prosperous and highly religious people, Egyptians took advantage of the land they lived on and its great resources. A nation of perfectionists, their attention to detail served them well throughout their industrious endeavours. Because the Egyptians believes their kind a mortal god, who became one with the immortal gods when he died, it became necessary to protect his body, and so the attention to proper burial came to be, hence the giant pile of solid stone.

Along with the pyramids serving as tomb, they also functioned as a temple complex for the deified Pharaoh.

An interesting thing to note is that the bodies one would assume to find in the pyramids weren’t there, or anywhere else, for that matter! So many discoveries remain to be uncovered despite what we already know, and this is perhaps the most exciting part of it all.

Now, Egyptian archaeologists have announced a new discovery that is likely to further intrigue, and potentially stir up more questions.

The team found a pyramid believed to be 3,700 years old, dating back to ancient Egypt’s 13th Dynasty.

Found just north of the remains of the infamous Bent Pyramid belonging to King Sneferu, the newly discovered monument resides 20 miles south of Cairo, according to the head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector, Mahmoud Afifi.

The newly discovered pyramid’s remains consist of its inner structures, including a corridor that leads to a lobby that comes from ground level and up to a ramp on one side, and interior walls and columns covered in hieroglyphics.

“The text is written on the cartouche (hieroglyphics stating the name and title of a monarch) is for King Imani Kamau, one of the kings of the 13th family,” the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities wrote in a Facebook post.

Because the outer workings are missing, the team must rely on the remains available to determine the size of the pyramid. They believe that the bent slopes on the side could represent one of the very first attempts at constructing a smooth-sided pyramid, like that of King Sneferu.
A pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, his pyramids included funerary complexes, like the Dahshur necropolis (or large cemetery of an ancient city), which served as the burial site for courtiers and high-ranking officials. It was his Bent Pyramid, however, that has stood out in modern times the most, as it represents one of the first structures to show the transition of pyramids shapes.

The bent shape came to be after unstable ground conditions caused its original 55-degree angle to buckle. The builders made a case around the base, but with the rest of the sides measuring at 43-degree angles, the bent shape came to be.

The ministry said: “All the discovered parts of the pyramid are in very good condition and further excavation is to take place to reveal more parts.”

Hopefully further digging and exploring of the texts will reveal more about the ancient structure’s secrets.

Images: via Facebook
SOURCE: Collective-Evolution.com

Scientists Find the Remains of a ‘Lost’, 3,700-Year-Old Egyptian Pyramid

Archaeologists in Egypt have made another sensational discovery as they have found the remains of a 3,700-year old Pyramid south of Cairo.

Hieroglyphic text engraved on the discovered block (Ministry of Antiquities)

According to experts, the Pyramid in ruins—found some 40 kilometers south of Cario—could be one of ancient Egypt’s first attempts at building a smooth-sided pyramid.

The newly found structure is located in the vicinity of the famous bent pyramid of King Snefru.

An Egyptian archaeological mission has discovered the remains of a pyramid from the Pharaonic XIII dynasty (1795-1650 BC), in an excavation at the necropolis of Dahshur, south of Cairo. According to the director of the Egyptian Antiquities Department, Mahmud Afif, quoted in a statement, the discovery was been made north of the pyramid of King Seneferu, from the 4th dynasty (2613-2494 BCE).

The ground at which the pyramid was discovered/ Ministry of Antiquities

The Bent Pyramid is considered a unique example of early pyramid development in Egypt, this was the second pyramid built by Sneferu. It is also unique amongst the approximately ninety pyramids to be found in Egypt, in that its original polished limestone outer casing remains largely intact.

According to the head of the central administration of Giza and Cairo, Alaa al Shahat, the uncovered part of the pyramid is in a good state of conservation. Al Shahat expressed his belief that the excavation will soon reveal other parts of the structure. The site excavated so far shows an area inside the mausoleum consisting of a corridor that descends to the bottom of the pyramid.

Furthermore, experts have found a chamber that is connected with a ramp located in the southern parts of the pyramid with a room located in the western parts of the structure.

As Adel Okasha, the head of Dahshur necropolis, explains, the remains of the structure belong to the inner parts of the pyramid and include a corridor.

Other remains including blocks showing the interior design of the pyramid have also been found.

The corridor discovered on Monday at Dahshur/Ministry of Antiquities

“The structure seems to be composed of a corridor that leads to the inside of the pyramid and a hall leading to a southern ramp; this, in addition to a room, found at the western end,” Okasha said.

“An alabaster… block engraved with 10 vertical hieroglyphic lines” was among the discovery, the ministry said, citing Adel Okasha, director general at the necropolis.

It said, “granite lintel and stone blocks showing the interior design of the pyramid” were also found.

Right now, excavations are still in early stages and the exact dimensions of the pyramid have not been established by experts.
SOURCE: http://www.ewao.com/a/scientists-find-remains-lost-3700-year-old-egyptian-pyramid/

Sensation! 3,800-Year-Old Untouched Tomb with Mummy and Grave Goods Found in Egypt

A team of Spanish archaeologists from the Spanish Archaeological Mission have uncovered a tomb said to be around 4,000 years old in West Aswan in Egypt. The tomb was unlooted and includes a mummy, which is thought to be the brother of Sarenput II.

Unique Finding with Funerary Goods

Sarenput II was one of the most powerful and dominant Pharaonic governors during the 12th Dynasty of Egypt during the reign of Senwosret II and Senwosret III and the elder brother to Shemai.

Archaeologists said the tomb is of importance as it shows the richness of the burial along with shedding light on individuals shadowed by people in power. The head of the department of ancient Egyptian equities said that up to now there hasn’t been much information about them.

The discovery means that more data can now be added to prior discoveries of 14 family members of the Elephantine family ruling during Dynasty 12. The discovery offers a unique chance to study and learn about the life conditions of the high class dating back over 3800 years.

Burial ceremonies of the Egyptians were rituals that were complicated and each ceremony involved huge amounts of preparation along with careful placement of burial items. The ancient Egyptians believed that afterlife is similar to living on Earth and so one needed goods when they made the journey to the field of Reeds, which was an Egyptians paradise.

The director pointed out that the finding is unique in that it was unlooted and so came with the funerary goods and items intact. The funerary goods included two coffins, both the outer shell and inner, made of cedar, pottery and wooden models, these are said to be representatives of scenes out of daily life and funerary boats. 

Burial Chamber Complete with Mummy

Egyptologists stated that this was an important discovery as the tomb also contained a mummy.

The mummy was complete with cartonnage painted several different colors, a mask that is impressive and collars which are said to have been persevered well. The mummy has yet to be examined.

An inscription on the coffin was noted and it is the name Shemai, who was the brother of Sarenput II. Other names included are those of his father and mother, Khema and Satethotep.

There has recently been a string of big discoveries in Egyptian archaeology with this tomb and mummy being the most recent. Another recent finding was a statue in Cairo, which people say has the likeness of Pharaoh Ramses II. Many are now booking expeditions to try to find out more secrets of ancient Egypt and it is thought that more expeditions will make their way to try and uncover all the mysteries of Aswan.

SOURCE: http://www.disclose.tv/news/sensation_3800yearold_untouched_tomb_with_mummy_and_grave_goods_found_in_egypt/138345