Two 5,000-Year-Old Tombs Discovered in Egypt's Minya Province

Kathmandu. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has stated that two historical tombs, approximately 5,000 years old, have been discovered in the Minya province, south of the capital Cairo.

These tombs, dating back to the Early Dynastic Period (3100 BC to 2686 BC), were excavated during an archaeological mission. According to Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, the first tomb is considered an extremely rare architectural sample due to its distinctive geometric design.

The second tomb, although similar in structure to the first, was found in a much better and more preserved condition. Mohamed Abdel Badi, head of Egypt's archaeological department, provided information about the technical aspects of the discovered tombs, stating that the thickness of the first tomb's wall gradually decreased from the base to the upper part.

He stated that this special engineering concept represents the early stages of the construction of step pyramids and later full pyramids in ancient Egypt. According to Abdel Badi, although some parts of this tomb were excavated for stone in later periods, the remaining structures provide important information about ancient construction techniques, stone-cutting methods, and wooden supports used to strengthen the walls. The second tomb, located south of the first tomb, was found in its original form and preserved because it was not excavated later.

In addition, other tombs from the Pre-Dynastic and Early Dynastic periods have been found in the Jabal al-Tair historical hilly area, about 25 kilometers north-east of Minya city. Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, stated that these recent discoveries will provide historical support in understanding the development of funerary architecture and engineering styles across various periods of ancient Egypt.