One of the tombs found in the area of Sakra, near Cairo. Embalming was perfected only in a later period
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Archaeologists excavating a 5,000-year-old burial site outside Cairo have uncovered a tomb containing some of the earliest evidence of embalming. This was stated by Zahi Hawass, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Authority.
Last week, the researchers opened several complete coffins, made of wood, which were found inside a burial space that had not been noticed until now in the Sakra area, about 25 km south of Cairo. Excavations were made in the area in the 80s, but they were partial. At the beginning of the month, during routine cleaning, workers found narrow vertical burial shafts, some five to six meters deep.
One of the skeletons, which was lying in a fetal position facing east, was partially wrapped in cloth. "This is evidence of the earliest person who underwent embalming. The embalming was performed in the leg area only," Havas said.
The burial site has been dated to the first dynasty of ancient Egypt, about 5,000 years ago. Hawass said a nearby tomb opened earlier supports that dating. The body of a 35-year-old woman was found in the grave with traces of blood around it. X-rays revealed that her skull was fractured, and hence it is possible that she was murdered in order to present her as a human sacrifice, Havas said.
According to him, human sacrifices were offered only in the earliest Egyptian dynasties. Salah Saliman, an antiquities expert who participated in the excavation, said that the practice of embalming was perfected only in much later dynasties. "These graves, which are older, may be less attractive, but they are very important from a scientific point of view," he said.
The partially embalmed skeleton will be x-rayed and examined to determine the sex of the person buried and their age at death. The coffin will also be inspected and treated with natural materials that will help preserve it. Since the area has only been partially excavated, it is not yet known what the size of the burial site is and how many graves it contains.
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