Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a relic believed that a pharaoh's never been known before and ruled about 3,600 years ago. The skeleton of Pharaoh (King) Senebkay found in South Abydos in Sohag province, about 500 km south of Cairo, by an expedition of the University of Pennsylvania in cooperation with the Egyptian government, said the Egyptian Antiquities Ministry as quoted by Reuters.
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| A painted hieroglyphic text found on the eastern wall of an Egyptian tomb's burial chamber refers to "Son of Re, Senebkay." (Picture from: http://www.nbcnews.com/) |
Never before known in the ancient Egypt history, the name of Pharaoh Senebkay found written in hieroglyphics (ancient Egyptian writings) that are listed in the royal cartouche - an oval shape with a horizontal line at the end implies that members of the king's name.
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| The photo at left shows decoration in the burial chamber of Senebkay. At right, archaeologists examine Senebkay's skeleton. He was originally mummified, but his body was pulled apart by ancient tomb robbers. (Picture from: http://www.nbcnews.com/) |
The photos were released along with this statement shows a sarcophagus which was heavily damaged in a coffin without a top cover. Stone walls decorated with the painted pictures.
The pictures also show that the skeleton of the pharaoh is located in a white sheet. "He was originally mummified but his body marred by ancient tomb robbers," said the Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities.
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| Archaeologists surve the tomb of a previously unknown pharaoh, Senebkay, and its surroundings at the Abydos site. (Picture from: http://www.nbcnews.com/) |
"There is no funeral furniture found in the tomb and this ensures the tomb was robbed in ancient pharaoh era," said Ali Asfar, head of antiquities for the Egyptian government. In a statement in Arabic, the expedition head, Joseph Wegner adding, "The simplicity of the tomb size indicate deterioration of economic conditions during this period."
According to Reuters, Pharaoh Senebkay estimated ruled until 1650 BC, known as the Second Middle period when the collapse of centralized power and small kingdoms flourished between the end of the era of the Middle Kingdom and early New Kingdom era. Senebkay was apparently 5-foot-10 and died in his mid- to late 40s, archaeologists said. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | REUTERS | NBC NEWS]
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