225 royal ushabti figurines unearthed in Nile Delta Tanis archaeological site
Nevine El-Aref , Thursday 20 Nov 2025
A French archaeological mission at the San El-Hagar site in Tanis has uncovered 225 ushabti figurines belonging to King Shoshenq III of the 22nd Dynasty in Egypt, which experts hailed as the most significant discovery in the ancient Sharqiya capital since 1946.
The mission, led by Frédéric Payraudeau of Sorbonne University, discovered the collection inside the northern chamber of the tomb of King Osorkon II.
The figurines were found in remarkably preserved condition, lying within layers of silt near an undecorated granite sarcophagus, whose owner had long remained a mystery.
The site is in the Husseiniya district of the Sharqiya Governorate. It was historically situated on the Tanitic branch of the Nile, which is now silted up.
For decades, archaeologists have debated who the sarcophagus belonged to. New evidence now strongly suggests Shoshenq III, one of the most influential rulers of the 22nd Dynasty and a king known for his architectural work in Tanis.
Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Mohamed Ismail Khaled described the discovery as "a landmark moment for Tanis excavations," noting that no similarly significant revelation has emerged from the site since the mid-20th century.
He emphasized that identifying the sarcophagus' owner may help answer broader questions about royal burial traditions during the Third Intermediate Period, particularly whether Shoshenq III was buried inside Osorkon II's tomb or whether his funerary goods were transferred there later for protection.
The find also highlights the enduring archaeological potential of Tanis. Khaled pointed out that the site "still holds many secrets," reinforcing the need for continued excavation and conservation efforts at one of Egypt's most important royal centres of the era.
Additional breakthroughs came when the mission uncovered previously unknown inscriptions inside the same chamber. According to Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector Mohamed Abdel-Badie, the new inscriptions will help researchers refine their understanding of how royal tombs were used and adapted during the period.
Dr Hesham Hussein, head of the Central Department of Lower Egypt Antiquities, explained that the discovery comes as part of a broader conservation initiative.
The French mission, which has been active at Tanis since 1929, is currently working with the Supreme Council of Antiquities on a comprehensive protection project that includes installing a modern shelter over the royal tombs and undertaking extensive desalination and architectural cleaning.
Dr Payraudeau said the next phase of work will involve a detailed study of the newly found inscriptions and continued cleaning of the tomb's northern chamber, which may yield further clues about the circumstances of Shoshenq III's burial.
"It remains uncertain whether the king was interred directly inside Osorkon II's tomb or whether his funerary equipment was relocated there," he said. "We still have much to uncover."
As Tanis once again steps into the spotlight, the discoveries add a compelling new chapter to the story of one of Egypt's most historically rich archaeological sites.
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