A team of Archaeologists in Egypt that are part of the Spanish Archaeological Mission from Jaen University made an amazing discovery the other day when they discovered an unopened Tomb. The team had been in the burial area trying to uncover secrets since 2008 and this find has been their latest discovery. The tomb is believed to be around 4,000 years old and was found in Qubbet el-Hawa in West Aswan.
Whose tomb is it?
The tomb that got discovered belongs to Shemai, who was the younger brother of Sarenput II and son of Khema. Khema was a governor of Elephantine under Pharaoh Amenemhat II during the 12th Dynasty of Egypt (1991-1802 BC).
Sarenput II was nomarch of the first nomos of Upper Egypt under Pharaohs Senusret II and Senusret III. He was also mayor of Elephantine, a high priest, and overseer of the priests to the gods Khnum and Satet.
The discovery of Shemai will help archaeologists study those that were part of a ruling family in Egypt but were not in power themselves. The overall discovery will help to piece together more of the background of the ruling family of Elephantine during the 12th Dynasty and give more of an insight into what life was like for the high-class of Egypt during the time period.
What was found inside?
The Director of Aswan Antiquities was very excited about the unique nature of the finding, since the tomb of Shemai was found with all its funerary goods and other artifacts since it had not been opened.
The funerary goods include various pottery, two cedar coffins and a set of various wooden models that represent scenes of everyday life or funerary boats.
On the cedar coffins are the names of Shemai, Khema and Khema's wife Satethotep. There was also an unidentified mummy that got covered with polychrome cartonnage, which had been painted several different colors.
It also had a stunning mask and collar that were both in good condition on its face. This unknown mummy has to be examined by the archaeologists and there has been no official documentation released on it yet.
