Tomb of Unknown Pharaoh

For the second time this year, archaeologists discovered a royal tomb in Egypt. This time they excavated the tomb of an unknown pharaoh. We know the names of so many pharaohs. That makes it intriguing to find a burial of someone who can’t be identified from the king lists and monuments.

Grandeur and Paintings

Egyptian and American archaeologists estimate this tomb of an unknown pharaoh at 3,600 years old. They found it 23 feet underground at Abydos, which was one of the oldest cities in ancient Egypt. (The vintage photo at top is of the temple of Seti I in Abydos, Brooklyn Museum, no copyright restrictions, wiki.) The entryway to the tomb has painted scenes of the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, making it the earliest painted tomb yet discovered. 16-foot high vaults and several rooms add to the splendor of the final resting place.

Another Ruler in the “Lost” Dynasty

A decade ago, a smaller tomb came to light nearby, causing researchers to declare the existence of a “lost” dynasty. Archaeologists identified whoever ancient Egyptians buried in this recently excavated tomb as another ruler in that same dynasty. Sadly, grave robbers not only stripped out the skeleton and possessions but also chipped away at the wall where they’d recorded the pharaoh’s name and deeds, obliterating the key information. These pharaohs would not have controlled all of the land we think of as ancient Egypt, but the presence of two tombs–this one grandiose–indicates a significant dynasty spanning more than one man’s rule.

Further Reading about Tomb of Unknown Pharaoh

For more about this intriguing find, read the New York Times article, “Tomb of Unknown Pharaoh is Unearthed in Egypt.”

Or you might enjoy my discussion of the Ramses Exhibit and the way burial objects and monuments present a story, helped along with selective curation by museums. My post, Ramses Exhibit, Gold of the Pharaohs.