Archaeologists Are Astounded: At Least 30 Egyptian Tombs Have Reappeared

 

In a remarkable archaeological discovery, a joint Italian and Egyptian excavation team has uncovered over 30 ancient tombs carved into a hillside overlooking the Nile River near the historic city of Aswan. These tombs, dating back to between 332 B.C. and 395 A.D., reveal a multi-level burial complex that was in use for nearly 900 years—offering invaluable insights into the lives, deaths, and customs of ancient Egyptians during the late Greek and Roman periods.

However, one discovery has stunned archaeologists—inside a stone coffin, two mummies were found mysteriously glued together. The reason for this bizarre preservation remains unknown, raising new questions about burial rituals, familial bonds, or unknown preservation techniques used in ancient Egypt.

The tombs, situated near the Aghakhan Shrine in Aswan, were initially found through illegal excavations before the Egyptian government intervened. Once researchers took over, they discovered a complex burial structure featuring family graves where multiple generations were interred together.

Archaeologists have also uncovered evidence of social hierarchy in burial customs:

Lower tombs contained the middle class of Aswan’s islanders.

Upper tombs were reserved for wealthier individuals, featuring more elaborate burial spaces.

Some tombs were near open courtyards made of mudbrick walls, while others were carved directly into the mountain rock.

The team also discovered oil lamps, which were likely used by mourners to illuminate the tombs during ancient burial feasts.

“We can imagine how spectacular it was when, during the mourners' feast, all these tombs were illuminated,” said Patrizia Piacentini, an Egyptologist from the University of Milan.

One of the most puzzling discoveries in the excavation was a stone coffin containing two mummies fused together.

The remains were glued together, but researchers are unsure how or why.

Further DNA and chemical analysis will be conducted to determine if they were family members, possibly twins, or if an ancient embalming process accidentally caused them to adhere.

“We still have the question of the gluing,” said Abdul Moneim Saeed, the Egyptian director of the excavation.

Early analyses of the skeletal remains have shed light on the health and struggles of those buried in these tombs:

High Infant Mortality: Nearly 40% of the remains belonged to newborns and young children, indicating widespread disease and poor infant survival rates.

Tuberculosis Outbreaks: One entire family was likely wiped out by tuberculosis, a disease that continues to plague humanity today.

Osteoarthritis and Malnutrition: Many remains showed signs of malnutrition and severe joint disorders, suggesting hard labor and food scarcity played a significant role in their lives.

Despite the 33 identified graves, experts believe more tombs are yet to be uncovered. The artifacts already found—including colored cardboard, burnt clay, wooden coffins, and sacrificial tables—suggest that Aswan was an important trade hub connecting Northern and Subtropical Africa.

“It was a rich place, an important place,” Piacentini noted.

Excavations will continue, as archaeologists expect more discoveries that could reshape our understanding of ancient Egyptian burial practices and health conditions. And, of course, they still need to solve the mystery of the fused mummies.