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Al-Ahram Weekly 20 - 26 May 1999 Issue No. 430 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 20 - 26 May 1999 Issue No. 430
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Supplement Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Tunnels and tombs
By Nevine El-Aref
shed new light
The discovery of a series of ancient tunnels near the Nile in the Al-Mounib area in Giza could "change the archaeological map of Cairo", a top archaeologist says. While digging at the foundations of a building on the Nile Corniche in Al-Bahr Al-Azam Street, south of Abbas Bridge, a series of Graeco-Roman and Islamic tunnels were unearthed.
A series of ancient tunnels on the Nile banks in Al-Mounib were recently excavated, yielding ceramics from the Graeco-Roman and early Islamic periods
photos: Mohamed Wassim
Excavations revealed that the tunnels were carved into the bedrock and extended for 17 metres beneath the surrounding buildings. They are two metres in height, have limestone and granite elements and domed ceilings. Assorted pieces of Islamic and Graeco-Roman pottery were found in them.
"This new discovery may change the archaeological map of Cairo," said Zahi Hawass, director-general of the Giza Plateau. He said excavations had revealed that the newly discovered site was part of a fortress constructed on the western bank of the Nile, opposite the fortress of Babylon (Old Cairo). "It was in use in Graeco-Roman times and remained in use after the Arab conquest," Hawass said. The ruins of a Roman church beside the tunnels were converted into a modern church.
Gaballa Ali Gaballa, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said, "Excavation will continue and the permanent committee will soon meet to determine the fate of the monuments."
In Dakahliya Governorate, a necropolis with 95 tombs was recently discovered by the SCA. The tombs date back to the pre-dynastic era and first dynasty (3200BC) and belonged to high-ranking officials.
One mastaba tomb was found containing 14 mud-brick rooms. Most of the rooms still held the funerary collections of its owners.
"This mastaba may be the tomb of the ruler of the city of Sembelawin," Gaballa said. Items discovered in the collections included a 50cm-long stone knife, necklaces with semi-precious stones and scarabs in the shapes of frogs and flies, bracelets and coffins made of schist and limestone. These coffins were for women and children. Heart-shaped cosmetic pots made of schist and alabaster were also found.
The stone knife was engraved with various scenes including that of a royal palace with the image of Horus the Sun God on top. The name of King Den, who ruled during the first dynasty, can also be deciphered.
A necklace with a fly scarab is unique as it was a military award to a war hero.
