The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced an important archaeological discovery at the tomb of Panehsy in the Matariya archaeological area of Ain Shams, revealing more secrets of the ancient Heliopolis necropolis. During excavations by the Egyptian archaeological mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities at the site, the mission found an archaeological cache containing the first near-complete funerary furniture discovered in the area, along with a collection of rare artifacts and a number of metal earrings likely made of gold.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy stressed that the discovery reflects the success of Egyptian archaeological missions in re-reading the civilizational history of Heliopolis, one of the oldest and most important religious cities of the ancient world, noting that the new finds offer a clearer picture of the life and funerary practices of the area's inhabitants through successive historical periods.
In this context, Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the current excavations uncovered a mudbrick burial containing human skeletal remains. As careful scientific excavation continued beneath it, a unique archaeological cache was uncovered containing a distinctive collection of adornment items and symbolic objects associated with funerary practices.
He added that the finds included a copper mirror and two alabaster kohl containers with lids that still retain traces of kohl, as well as a third kohl container made of black obsidian, a rare stone in such archaeological contexts.
El-Leithy said the mission, headed by Qotb Fawzy Qotb, Head of the Central Department of Cairo and Giza Antiquities, found two light blue faience vessels, one of which contained 6 symbolic scarabs bearing incised inscriptions, including two scarabs set in a yellow metal frame likely made of gold.
For his part, Mohamed Abdel Badie, Head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the cache also contained a collection of faience amulets in various symbolic shapes, including an amulet in the shape of a duck and another in the form of the atef crown, as well as 4 stones, two of which are believed to be carnelian, one pinkish-red and set in a yellow metal frame likely made of gold, and the other a lapis-like green.
A distinctive set of yellow metal earrings was also found, consisting of five pairs of different sizes, likely made of gold, with diameters ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 cm.
He explained that the discovery is a scientific extension of the results of previous excavations at the site during the current season, which uncovered the remains of funerary structures built of mudbrick and limestone, as well as two coffins found in fragments, one made of pottery and the other of gilded plaster decorated with red inscriptions. The latter contained gilded remains believed to belong to a military figure, along with a coin possibly dating to the Roman period. Limestone blocks bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions were also found, reinforcing the importance of studying the site's chronological and civilizational sequence.
The historical and civilizational importance of the discovery lies in the fact that the necropolis of the tomb of Panehsy is a living archaeological record documenting the different periods the area witnessed, as the necropolis was used to bury prominent figures over several eras, from the Late Period through the Roman period to Christian times.
The site is an integral part of the great Heliopolis necropolis, known in antiquity as "Iunu", the main religious center for the worship of the sun god Ra, giving this discovery particular importance for studying the funerary practices and the religious and social development of the inhabitants of this sacred city through the ages.
