Archaeologists excavated 50 feet under Egypt's largest non-royal tomb and found Idi's double sarcophagus
The joint Egyptian-German archaeological mission between the universities of Sohag and Berlin recently discovered the funerary chamber of a woman named "Idi", who was the only daughter of the governor of the province of Asyut during the reign of Pharaoh Senusret I (who reigned from 1961 to 1915 BC), known as Jefai-Hapy.
This significant discovery was made during archaeological cleaning work inside her father's tomb, considered the largest non-royal tomb of its time in Egypt. This discovery highlights the importance of Jefai-Hapy as one of the most influential governors in the region during that era.
The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, praised the continued efforts of Egyptian archaeological missions, which contribute to uncovering more secrets of ancient Egyptian history. He stated that the ministry would provide all necessary support to these missions to ensure they can complete their work in the best possible way and ensure that Egypt's cultural heritage is protected and studied.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that while the mission was carrying out cleaning work in the shaft of Jefai-Hapy's tomb, they found the funerary chamber of his daughter at a depth of approximately 50 feet to the north.
Inside this chamber, they found two coffins, one inside the other, both fully inscribed with texts describing the journey to the afterlife. The inner coffin measures 2.30 meters in length, while the outer one reaches 2.62 meters. Both coffins are considered among the most beautiful and detailed ever found in the region.
In addition to the coffin, archaeologists discovered the lid of the inner coffin, a box containing canopic jars—intended to hold the mummified organs of the deceased—and several wooden figurines. Despite being mostly looted and destroyed by thieves in ancient times, these funerary items provide valuable information about the burial practices and social status of the governor's daughter.
The Secretary-General also noted that preliminary studies conducted by the mission revealed that the funerary chamber was looted in antiquity. The thieves not only removed the woman's mummy from its resting place but also dismembered her and damaged the canopic jars that contained her organs.
However, despite the looting, initial investigations of Idi's skeletal remains and skull suggest that she died young, before reaching the age of 40. Analyses also revealed that the deceased suffered from a congenital deformity in one of her feet, which likely affected her quality of life.
This discovery is of great significance not only because of the richness of the objects found but also for what it reveals about the life and death of high-ranking individuals in ancient Egypt. The tombs of figures like Jefai-Hapy and his daughter provide a unique window into understanding the social, political, and religious structures of the time.
Through these findings, archaeologists can continue to paint a more detailed picture of how regional rulers in ancient Egypt lived, died, and were remembered.
The archaeological mission will continue with cleaning work and scientific analysis of the skeletal remains to obtain more information about Idi's health, lifestyle, and the circumstances of her death.
It is also expected that these studies will shed new light on Governor Jefai-Hapy himself, his governance, and the historical context in which they lived.
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