This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43196877
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ancient Egyptian necropolis contains 'message from afterlife' | Ancient Egyptian necropolis contains 'message from afterlife' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| An ancient necropolis containing dozens of stone coffins and a necklace bearing a "message from the afterlife" has been discovered in Egypt. | An ancient necropolis containing dozens of stone coffins and a necklace bearing a "message from the afterlife" has been discovered in Egypt. |
| The site near the city of Minya, south of Cairo, is more than 2,000 years old and is expected to take another five years to excavate. | The site near the city of Minya, south of Cairo, is more than 2,000 years old and is expected to take another five years to excavate. |
| Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Enany said it contained 40 sarcophagi, jewellery, pottery and a gold mask. | Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Enany said it contained 40 sarcophagi, jewellery, pottery and a gold mask. |
| He said there were burial shafts dating from the late Pharaonic period to the early Ptolomaic era of around 300BC. | He said there were burial shafts dating from the late Pharaonic period to the early Ptolomaic era of around 300BC. |
| "This is only the beginning of a new discovery," he told reporters. "We are very soon going to add a new archaeological attraction to Middle Egypt." | "This is only the beginning of a new discovery," he told reporters. "We are very soon going to add a new archaeological attraction to Middle Egypt." |
| Mostafa Waziri, head of the archaeological mission, said eight tombs had been found over the past three months but he expects more to be uncovered. | Mostafa Waziri, head of the archaeological mission, said eight tombs had been found over the past three months but he expects more to be uncovered. |
| "Evacuation work is scheduled to last for five years in an attempt to uncover all the burials in the cemetery," he said. | "Evacuation work is scheduled to last for five years in an attempt to uncover all the burials in the cemetery," he said. |
| Mr Waziri said many of the tombs and artefacts belonged to priests of the ancient Egyptian god Thoth. | Mr Waziri said many of the tombs and artefacts belonged to priests of the ancient Egyptian god Thoth. |
| Four well-preserved jars with lids designed to look like the faces of the four sons of the god Horus were also found. | Four well-preserved jars with lids designed to look like the faces of the four sons of the god Horus were also found. |
| "They still contain the mummified inner organs of the deceased. The jars are decorated with hieroglyphic texts showing the name and titles of their owner," Mr Waziri said. | "They still contain the mummified inner organs of the deceased. The jars are decorated with hieroglyphic texts showing the name and titles of their owner," Mr Waziri said. |
| He described the "wonderful coincidence" of discovering a necklace charm on New Year's Eve that had "happy new year" inscribed on it in hieroglyphics. | He described the "wonderful coincidence" of discovering a necklace charm on New Year's Eve that had "happy new year" inscribed on it in hieroglyphics. |
| "This is a message sent to us from the afterlife," he said. | "This is a message sent to us from the afterlife," he said. |
| Earlier this month, archaeologists unveiled the tomb of an ancient priestess that dates back 4,400 years. | Earlier this month, archaeologists unveiled the tomb of an ancient priestess that dates back 4,400 years. |
| It was adorned with well-preserved and rare wall paintings depicting the priestess, Hetpet, in a variety of scenes. | It was adorned with well-preserved and rare wall paintings depicting the priestess, Hetpet, in a variety of scenes. |