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A Spanish archaeological mission working in Draa Abul
Naga necropolis on Luxor’s west bank has discovered a unique funerary garden
almost 4000 years old, Dr. Mahmoud Afifi, Head of the Ancient Egyptian
Antiquities announced.
Naga necropolis on Luxor’s west bank has discovered a unique funerary garden
almost 4000 years old, Dr. Mahmoud Afifi, Head of the Ancient Egyptian
Antiquities announced.
He explains that the funerary garden has been unearthed
at the open courtyard of a rock cut-tomb of the Middle Kingdom.
at the open courtyard of a rock cut-tomb of the Middle Kingdom.
The layout of the garden measures 3 x 2 m and is divided
into squares of about 30 cm. They seem to have contained different kinds of
plants and flowers. In the middle there are two elevated spots for a small tree
or bush. At one of the corners, the root and the trunk of a 4,000 year old
small tree have been preserved to a height of 30 cm. Next to it, a bowl was
found containing dates and other fruits, which could have been presented as an
offering.
into squares of about 30 cm. They seem to have contained different kinds of
plants and flowers. In the middle there are two elevated spots for a small tree
or bush. At one of the corners, the root and the trunk of a 4,000 year old
small tree have been preserved to a height of 30 cm. Next to it, a bowl was
found containing dates and other fruits, which could have been presented as an
offering.
“The discovery of the garden may shed light on the
environment and gardening in ancient Thebes during the Middle Kingdom, around
2000 BCE,” Dr. Afifi said.
environment and gardening in ancient Thebes during the Middle Kingdom, around
2000 BCE,” Dr. Afifi said.
Dr. Jose Galan, Head of the Spanish mission and Research
Professor at the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid said that on the
walls of a number of New Kingdom tombs, a small and squared garden is
represented at the entrance of the funerary monument, with a couple of trees
next to it. It probably had a symbolic meaning and must have played a role in
the funerary rites. However, the like has never been found in ancient Thebes.
The discovery offers the archaeological confirmation of an aspect of ancient
Egyptian culture and religion that was hitherto only known through iconography.
Professor at the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid said that on the
walls of a number of New Kingdom tombs, a small and squared garden is
represented at the entrance of the funerary monument, with a couple of trees
next to it. It probably had a symbolic meaning and must have played a role in
the funerary rites. However, the like has never been found in ancient Thebes.
The discovery offers the archaeological confirmation of an aspect of ancient
Egyptian culture and religion that was hitherto only known through iconography.
Hani Abul Azm, Head of the Central Administration for
Antiquities of upper Egypt said that the mission has also uncovers, near the
entrance of the Middle Kingdom rock‐cut tomb, a small mud-‐ brick chapel (46 x
70 x 55 cm) was discovered attached to the façade. Inside, three stelae of the
13th Dynasty, ca. 1800 BCE, were found in situ. The owner of one of them is
called Renef‐seneb, and the owner of the other stela is “the citizen Khemenit,
son of the lady of the house, Idenu”. The latter mentions the gods Montu, Ptah,
Sokar and Osiris.
Antiquities of upper Egypt said that the mission has also uncovers, near the
entrance of the Middle Kingdom rock‐cut tomb, a small mud-‐ brick chapel (46 x
70 x 55 cm) was discovered attached to the façade. Inside, three stelae of the
13th Dynasty, ca. 1800 BCE, were found in situ. The owner of one of them is
called Renef‐seneb, and the owner of the other stela is “the citizen Khemenit,
son of the lady of the house, Idenu”. The latter mentions the gods Montu, Ptah,
Sokar and Osiris.
“These discoveries underscore the relevance of the
central area of Dra Abu el-‐Naga as a sacred place for the performance of a
variety of cultic activities during the Middle Kingdom,” said Galan.
central area of Dra Abu el-‐Naga as a sacred place for the performance of a
variety of cultic activities during the Middle Kingdom,” said Galan.
The Spanish mission has been working 16 years in Draa
Abul Naga, on the West Bank of Luxor, around the early 18th Dynasty rock‐cut
tombs of Djehuty and Hery (ca. 1500-‐1450 BCE).A
Abul Naga, on the West Bank of Luxor, around the early 18th Dynasty rock‐cut
tombs of Djehuty and Hery (ca. 1500-‐1450 BCE).A
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