http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/2001/06/12/FFXIWM1KUNC.html
Australian
archaeologists unearth ancient Egyptian tombs
Source: AAP|Published: Tuesday June 12, 3:00 PM
Australian archaeologists have discovered six unknown Egyptian tombs in Cairo
dating back to 3,000 BC.
The tombs, predating the pyramids by hundreds of years, contained the
skeletons of two women as well as a wealth of artefacts.
Archaeologist Christiana Kohler headed the project by the Australian Centre
for Egyptology at Sydney's Macquarie University.
She said the discovery, made during December 2000 and March 2001, came after
four years of painstaking fieldwork.
Dr Kohler described the discovery, at the Helwan cemetery on the southern
outskirts of Cairo, as “absolutely astonishing and unexpected”.
“In Egypt today, discovering unexcavated tombs of such an early date is very
rare,” she said.
“You don't find intact tombs of that early date anymore.
“The wealth and contents of the tombs is absolutely amazing.”
Dr Kohler said archaeologists usually had to make do with the “scraps” left
by grave robbers.
She said the tombs were constructed during a period which marked the end of
Egypt's prehistory and the beginning of the age of the Pharaohs.
Found among the tombs were the remains of a mature woman believed to have
been a wealthy matron of Memphis, Egypt's first capital city.
She was buried with numerous stone and ceramic vessels and a perfectly
preserved flint knife.
The team also discovered the skeleton of a young woman, who was aged between 16 and 18 when she died, possibly in childbirth, Dr Kohler said.
The young woman was buried with jars and bowls for scented oils and
cosmetics, indicating she wanted to be well-groomed in the afterlife.
A physical anthropologist would study the woman's bones to try and establish
what caused her premature death.
The team will return to the site in November.
···
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.256 / Virus Database: 129 - Release Date: 5/31/01