Antiquity News from Egypt March 2008
Spanish archaeological team discovers a wooden sarcophagus (Pictured at end of article.)
Culture Minister Farouk Hosni said a Spanish archaeological team has unearthed a wooden Sarcophagus that dates back to the Middle Kingdom (2134-1998) B.C at the area of Zira Abulnaga of Luxor’s western bank.
The Sarcophagus belonged to a man called Aiker of the 11th dynasty.
The Spanish team struck the Rosy Sarcophagus when working at Hagotti tomb, foreman of labourers in Thebes.
Dr. Zahi Hawas Secretary General of the Antiquities Supreme Council said the Spanish team found it in a good shape except for the lower part which is being restored.
The same Spanish team struck pottery dating back to the 11th and 12th dynasties along with five wooden arrows.
Tutankhamen to tour eight European, American cities
Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif agreed to staging an exhibition displaying Egyptian antiquities in eight European and American cities on March 9, 2008 through December 2012 under the rubric Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs.
On his part, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Zahi Hawwas said the exhibition will last for four years starting next month from the Vienna-based Art history Museum.
Spain honours Zahi Hawas
Zahi Hawas, the Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), was honored by the Spanish Ambassador in Cairo on Sunday 17/2/2008 for his archaeological discoveries.
Antonio Lopez Martinez awarded Hawas the gold medal of the Royal Conservatory of Music from the municipal of Ournese in a reception. The King and Queen of Spain and late Vatican Pope John Paul II had been granted the medal.
Deceptive gates discovered in Beni Sweif
The Supreme Council of Antiquities announced on 22/2/2008 that the Spanish archaeologists have unearthed three stone gates dating back to the first transition era (2191-2040 BC) in Ihnasia, Beni Sweif Governorate.
Zahi Hawwas, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquates said the "Deceptive Gates" – as they were known-have been removed from their original burial place, a graveyard that has been demolished and burnt over the years.
Also found were two offering tables and the remains of walls built of red brick and adobe, as well as shards of pre-transition era pottery, Hawas said.
The head of the Spanish team said the discovered gates and pottery have been renovated.
March 2, 2008
Posted in: Egypt