A squad of archaeologists from Charles University in Prague recently announced two exciting discoveries in the ancient Egyptian necropolis of Abusir : a 4500 - yr - old boat and the tomb of Queen Khentkaus III , a previously unknown queer .
In addition to being remarkably intact , experts say that the vessel is the first Old Kingdom sauceboat ever find in association with a non - royal grave . Meanwhile , Queen Khentkaus III ’s resting place provides extra diachronic noesis of Egypt ’s Fifth Dynasty ( ca . 2465–2323 BCE ) . Together , the two highlight Abusir ’s importance as an archaeological land site .
phallus of Egypt ’s rule class were buried with gravy holder , a custom that begin in the Early Dynastic Period . The Czech archaeologist found the roughly 60 - ft - retentive vessel bury near a mastabah , a case of Egyptian tomb made of mud - brick . While the structure was large — indicating that its owner was a member of the flush elite group — the researchers do n’t believe it go to a sovereign because it was n’t located near a royal Great Pyramid .
website of the boat ’s discovery . icon deferred payment : © Lucie Kettnerová , Archives of the Czech Institute of Egyptology , Charles University
" This is a highly unusual uncovering since gravy boat of such a size and construction were , during this period , reserve solely for top members of the club , who commonly belonged to the imperial family , " Miroslav Bárta , who directed the dig , say in astatement .
Hot desert sands had preserved the watercraft ’s wooden plank and pegs , plant life roughage batten , and some of its rope . Since many Egyptian sauceboat have been discovered in fragment or in poor condition , the discovery might cast off fresh light on ancient ship building technique , expert say .
bookman debate why ancient Egyptians buried their dead with boats , but many think the boat were signify to ravish the individual in the hereafter . This team hop that this vas will be the first of many discovered in Abusir . “ Where there is one boat , there very well may be more , ” Bárta says .
Queen Khentkaus III ’s tomb as seen from the NE . Image credit : © Jaromír Krejčí , Archives of the Czech Institute of Egyptology , Charles University
As for Queen Khentkaus III , the Czech archeologist happen her burial fleck near the pyramid of PharaohNeferefre(2431–2420 BCE ) . Its location propose that Queen Khentkaus III was both his wife and the female parent of his son and successor , King Menkauhore .
Since archeologist know lilliputian about King Menkauhore , the poove ’s tomb might divulge more entropy about his rule . " By this discovery we have bring out yet another unsung part of the Fifth Dynasty story which adds to the mosaics cognise so far . And more is to be await to come . This discovery instance the grandness of women at the majestic court of law and in Ancient Egypt in ecumenical , " Bártasaid in a program line .
Below are some of the limestone watercraft buried with Queen Khentkaus III .
Image reference : © Martin Frouz , Archives of the Czech Institute of Egyptology , Charles University
