Latest news with #Horemheb


Euronews
02-04-2025
- General
- Euronews
Archaeologists unearth 3,200-year-old tomb linked to ancient Egypt's military elite
ADVERTISEMENT A team of Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed a 3,200-year-old tomb believed to belong to a high-ranking military commander from the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses III, often considered the last great pharaoh of ancient Egypt . The remarkable discovery, made at the Tell el-Maschuta site in northeastern Egypt, sheds light on the region's strategic role in defending the nation's eastern borders during the New Kingdom (spanning roughly 1550-1070 BCE). The tomb itself, constructed from mud bricks, consists of a main burial chamber and three adjoining rooms, their walls coated in white mortar. Inside, archaeologists uncovered a trove of artefacts indicating the high status of the man buried. Related British-Egyptian archaeologists reveal pharaoh's tomb after nearly a century in 'significant find' The Bashiri mystery: A 2,300-year-old Egyptian mummy that no archaeologist dares to open Bronze arrowhead, found in the Egyptian tomb of a possible military commander. Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Overview of the tomb discovered in at the site of Tell el-Maschuta Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Among the most significant finds was a gold ring bearing a name inscription of Ramesses III, along with bronze arrowheads and a small ivory box - clear evidence to suggest that the tomb belonged to someone of high military importance. Another particularly intriguing discovery was a collection of inscribed pottery vessels bearing the name of Pharaoh Horemheb, who reigned over a century before Ramesses III. Once a military leader himself before ascending to the throne (1323–1295 BCE), Horemheb's name appearing within the tomb suggests that the site may have been repurposed over time. An ancient Egyptian alabaster vessel, likely used for holding precious oils or perfumes. Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Archaeologists also found alabaster vessels, semi-precious stones, and amulets depicting protective deities Taweret and Bes, as well as the Eye of Udjat, a symbol of healing and well-being in Egyptian mythology. Other recent ancient Egyptian discoveries The discovery of the military commander's tomb adds to a series of major Egyptian archaeological finds this year. Just last month, archaeologists unearthed the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II - the first pharaonic burial site found since Tutankhamun's in 1922. Discovered by a joint British-Egyptian team led by Dr Piers Litherland, the tomb was hidden away in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis, near Luxor. The exterior of Thutmose II's tomb, discovered in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis, near Luxor. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Amel Eweida/New Kingdom Research Foundation Mohamed Ismail Khaled, the secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Court of Antiquities, said in a statement that the discovery was 'one of the most significant archeological breakthroughs in recent years.' Days later, the same team announced they may have located a second tomb belonging to Thutmose II, buried 23 metres beneath a carefully disguised mound of rubble, limestone, ash, and mud plaster. Litherland believes the tomb could contain the pharaoh's mummified remains and grave goods. 'The best candidate for what is hidden underneath this enormously expensive, in terms of effort, pile is the second tomb of Thutmose II,' he told The Observer. And earlier this year, a French-Swiss archaeological team in Egypt made another remarkable discovery - the tomb of a high-ranking wizard-doctor who served the pharaohs some 4,000 years ago. Inscriptions identify the tomb's owner as Tetinebefou, a celebrated doctor during the reign of King Pepi II (circa 2305–2118 BC).
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
3,200-year-old Egyptian tomb may belong to military commander who served under Ramesses III
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered the 3,200-year-old tomb of a possible military commander who may have served during the reign of Ramesses III. Inside the man's tomb, archaeologists found a gold ring containing the name of Ramesses III, along with bronze arrowheads. The tomb was discovered at the site of Tell el-Maschuta (also spelled Tell el-Maskhuta) in northeastern Egypt, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported in a translated statement. It was built with mud bricks and contains a burial chamber and three adjoining chambers, the statement said. In addition to the ring and arrowheads, archaeologists found a small ivory box and inscribed pottery vessels. Some of the inscriptions contain the name of Horemheb (also spelled Haremhab), a pharaoh who reigned from about 1323 to 1295 B.C. and was a military leader before becoming pharaoh. It's not clear why the inscriptions mention Horemheb, but one possibility is that pottery from an older burial was reused in this burial. The statement didn't note exactly what the inscriptions say, but the finds in the tomb convinced archaeologists that it was built for a military commander who served Ramesses III. Ramesses III's reign (circa 1184 to 1153 B.C.) during the 20th dynasty was tumultuous at times. He fought off an invasion launched by a group known as the "Sea People." He also built an elaborate mortuary temple at Medinet Habu, near Luxor (ancient Thebes), that still stands today. Ultimately, he was assassinated by multiple individuals who used a variety of weapons. Related: Thutmose II tomb discovery raises new mysteries: Where is his mummy, and why wasn't he buried in the Valley of the Kings? However, outside experts' reactions to the interpretations of the new tomb were mixed. Anthony Spalinger, a professor emeritus of classics and ancient history at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, told Live Science that more information on the inscriptions is needed. David Warburton, an Egyptologist at Northeast Normal University in China, also said more information is needed and it's not yet certain that this is a military commander. The inscriptions are important, since they may say which titles this individual held. "I have seen no titles, so I cannot judge," he wrote in an email. RELATED STORIES —3,200-year-old ancient Egyptian barracks contains sword inscribed with 'Ramesses II' —Ancient Egyptian soldiers and Greek mercenaries were at 'Armageddon' when biblical king was killed, study suggests —3,500-year-old 'rest house' used by ancient Egyptian army discovered in Sinai desert Aidan Dodson, an Egyptology professor at the University of Bristol in the U.K, suspects this tomb may have originally been built during the reign of Horemheb and then reused on multiple occasions. "It looks like the tomb was originally occupied under Horemheb, reused under Ramesses III, and again during the Twenty-second Dynasty" based on the artifacts found inside, Dodson told Live Science in an email.