TWO INTERESTING TOMBS FOUND AT ABUSIR
Two interesting tombs came to light in 1996 during excavations conducted by Czech Egyptologist Mirsolav Verner assisted by L. Bares.
The first tomb, belonging to a man named Qar, is interesting because it is set apart from the cemetery of other nobles. Qar was a vizier for King Pepi I of Dynasty VIA, as inscribed on the western wall of the tomb's first chapel. His tomb has a open square court before it. Inside, a series of passages lead the visitor from the first chapel to the main chapel containing Qar's tomb. In his huge limestone sarcophagus, bearing his name and titles, archaeologists found the remains of human bones.
On the west wall of this chamber is the false door, unique for its beautiful inscriptions and many colours. The third line of one inscription shows Qar's other titles as Overseer of the Six Houses and Vizier of Nkhen. The tomb's serdab contains pieces of a wooden coffin, statue fragments, and a small wooden statue.
The second tomb belongs to Iuf-aa , the lector priest and director of the palace in Dynasty XXVI. Entering the tomb is an interesting experience and a scary adventure because the entrance shaft plummets 42m below the surface. Once inside the entrance to the burial chamber is so small that it bars more than one person from entering.
Here archaeologists found papyrus fragments, an amulet in the shape of Osiris' crown, another amulet in the shape of the crown of Upper Egypt, and a wooden box containing many small ceramic and faience vessels. Each vessel bears a label in hieratic script to identify the oil or perfume it once held.
But more wonderful was the unique discovery of two wooden boxes along the north and south walls. The north box contained 203 beautiful faience shawabti while the other box contained 205. These figurines represent helpers for Iuf-aa in his afterlife.
Read about the tomb and mummy of Iuf-aa HERE
We must always remember that we never know what secrets the sands of Egypt may hide.
