A joint Egyptian-Italian archaeological team has made a significant discovery in the necropolis surrounding the Aga Khan Mausoleum on Aswan’s West Bank, unearthing a series of ancient rock-cut tombs from the Greek and Roman periods. These tombs are notable for their remarkably preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions.
The excavation, conducted under the auspices of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and the University of Milan, uncovered several tombs hewn into the rocky hillside, some featuring elaborately carved staircases and distinct offering spaces. Among the most prominent finds is Tomb 38, a structure lying over two meters underground, accessed via a nine-step stone staircase flanked by ancient mudbrick offering benches.
Within Tomb 38, archaeologists discovered a two-meter-tall limestone sarcophagus, positioned atop a rock-cut platform. The sarcophagus features a lid sculpted in the likeness of a human figure adorned with a traditional Egyptian wig and fine ornaments.
Hieroglyphic inscriptions on the sarcophagus call for blessings from the local deities of Aswan and identify the tomb’s owner as Ka-Mesio, believed to have been a high-ranking official. Additional inscriptions reference family members and prayers, offering valuable insights into personal commemoration practices in antiquity.
The tombs also revealed mummified remains, including those of children, providing poignant evidence of the funerary traditions and social dynamics of the ancient community.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, praised the significance of this discovery, noting its contribution to Aswan’s already rich archaeological heritage. He highlighted that the findings enhance our understanding of the cultural diversity and depth of ancient Egyptian civilisation during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, and underscored the importance of continued international collaboration in archaeological research.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, said that the newly discovered tombs indicate ongoing use of the area as a burial ground for individuals from various social backgrounds, from elite families on the plateau to middle-class groups on the slopes.
He noted, “The inscriptions and artifacts provide invaluable resources for researchers studying Egyptian mortuary traditions and spiritual beliefs in the later phases of ancient Egypt’s history.”
Many of the mummified remains, particularly those of children, will undergo medical imaging and biological analysis in the forthcoming autumn season, to gain further understanding of the health, living conditions, and causes of death of those interred.
Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Chief of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, emphasized that evidence has emerged of extensive underground tomb complexes on the hill, initially built for affluent Ptolemaic families and later repurposed during the Roman era. Previous excavation seasons revealed funerary terraces and additional tombs at the Sidi Osman plateau, characterized by unique architectural adaptations to the rugged landscape.
The mission has been active since 2019.
