Ancient Egyptian Forum

Ramsekh · Gods/Goddesses Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Posts: 746

CAIRO, Egypt Sept. 3, 2004 — Egypt's antiquities chief on Thursday revealed a 2,500-year-old hidden tomb under the shadow of one of Giza's three giant pyramids, containing 400 pinkie-finger-sized statues and six coffin-sized niches carved into granite rock.

Zahi Hawass, the director of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said archaeologists had been working for three months to clear sand from a granite shaft found between the pyramid of Khafre also known by its Greek name of Chephren Giza's second-largest tomb of a pharaoh, and the Sphinx.

Under blaring sun Thursday, Hawass said Giza's latest ancient discovery came to light after archaeologists detected what appeared to be a four-sided shaft. The antiquities chief verified it by climbing a pyramid to get a bird's eye look.

Excavators later removed several tons of fine sand to descend 33 feet below ground level to where they found the niches.

Hawass said a wooden coffin and a pile of turquoise-colored figurines made of faience, a non-clay ceramic material used by ancient Egyptians, were also found.

"The statues, called 'shawabtis,' depict servants. Their task was to answer questions for the deceased in the after life and to serve the dead people," Hawass told The Associated Press.

Hawass said workers will continue clearing sand from the shaft for a further 33 feet, where he believes more antiquities, including a granite sarcophagus, could be unearthed.

The shaft was built in the 26th pharaonic dynasty during a period of cultural revival when "remarkable, huge tombs" were constructed, Hawass said.

Source: ABCNews.com
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Sekhmet · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:22 am Post subject:

Thanks Ramsekh! Cool another tomb! Smile

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[img]http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:ygpdGun0X_wJ:www.temoata.org/temoata/lotus.jpg[/img]
how beautiful the lotus flower is! selected 4-4-04

Ramsekh · Gods/Goddesses Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Posts: 746

I now just read it and I regret doing so. I'm even more anxious. Mad

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egypt22 · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 3:12 am Post subject:

i think that it is cool that they found another tomb, it just shows that there is more out there waiting to be found.

If you find any more info on this could you please send it me, thanks, i am not able to get on this site very often cause of school adn such-- thanks
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Ashley

PharoahKel · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 1:12 pm Post subject:

Wow, thats awesome! I hope they get more info on this tomb.
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Yea, Im gonna need you to come in on Sunday...