Eternal Servants: Unveiling Thousands of Mystical Figurines in Egypt
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Chapter 1: The Discovery
Archaeologists have recently uncovered thousands of tiny figurines in a burial site that dates back several millennia, located near Tuna el-Gebel in central Egypt. Among these intriguing artifacts were figurines found within the tomb of a singer who played a role in sacred rituals dedicated to a deity.
The revelation was jointly announced on a Sunday by Dr. Ghady Shalaby, Egypt's Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, along with Dr. Mostafa Waziry, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. This significant find occurred at an archaeological site named Al-Ghurifa, where excavations have been ongoing since 2017. Researchers opted to keep the findings under wraps until now. The excavations yielded not just sarcophagi but an array of artifacts, including amulets, jewelry, and numerous shabti figurines.
These shabtis, made of faience, wood, or stone, depict the deceased in mummified form. Ancient Egyptians believed these figurines could animate in the afterlife to serve the deceased, with some tombs containing hundreds of these figures—one for each day of the year.
For the first time, archaeologists have also encountered tombs from the New Kingdom period (1550–1069 BCE) in the 15th nome of Upper Egypt, an area previously associated with necropolises from earlier periods. The Al-Ghurifa site continued to be used throughout various stages of Egyptian history, as evidenced by the artifacts discovered.
Section 1.1: Insights into the Tombs
Al-Ghurifa consists of numerous rock-cut tombs where prominent figures like priests and high-ranking officials were interred. Notable burials include Djehty-Mes, who oversaw the Temple of Amun, and Nani, identified as “Amon’s singer.” This woman's elevated status likely stemmed from her priestly lineage, and her role would have involved participating in rituals dedicated to the god Amun—singing in the choir and performing on the sistrum, a traditional Egyptian instrument.
Another significant burial was that of Ta Di Iset, the daughter of Irt Haru, a high priest of Thoth. During a press event, one of the ornately decorated coffins was opened, revealing a well-preserved mummy encased in rich cartonnage—a material made from canvas or papyrus stiffened with plaster. Alongside the coffin were canopic jars, which held the deceased's organs during mummification.
Section 1.2: The Significance of the Finds
A particularly remarkable discovery was a completely intact papyrus scroll, several meters long, likely representing the Book of the Dead, an essential text related to the afterlife.
Chapter 2: Egypt's Renowned Necropolises
One of the most famous burial sites in Egypt is the Valley of the Kings, situated hundreds of kilometers south of Al-Ghurifa. This site is the final resting place of many rulers from the New Kingdom, including the famous pharaoh Tutankhamun. While not a significant ruler, his tomb revealed an astonishing wealth of jewelry, vessels, and other valuable artifacts.
Egypt is also celebrated for the Memphis necropolis in the north, where rulers from the Old Kingdom were interred in pyramids during the third millennium BCE, when this area served as the state capital.
The first video titled 'Magic Servants' Found Packed into Ancient Egyptian Tombs ⚱️' explores the significance of these mystical figurines and their role in ancient Egyptian funerary practices.
The second video 'New Egypt Find Terrifies Scientists - Whose Hands Are These?' delves into the unsettling discoveries made in the tombs and what they reveal about ancient beliefs.
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