83 ancient Egyptian tombs in rare clay coffins

Archaeologists confirm graves containing more than 5,000-year-old remains in Dakahlia, not far from the Mediterranean Sea.

The remains are placed in clay coffins.(Photo: Live Science).

Many ceramic artifacts were found at the burial site.(Photo: Live Science).

The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities identified 80 of the 83 excavated tombs dating from the Bhutto civilization , or Lower Egypt , existed during the first half of the fourth millennium BC. The other three findings are thought to date from the time of Naqada III, the last period of Naqada culture lasting from about 3200 to 3000 BC.

The discovery was described as "unusual" by the remains buried inside clay coffins , according to the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri. Contemporary Egypt's findings suggest that the rich and famous were often buried inside mud brick tombs or wooden coffins, while the poor were buried in shallow pits.

Inside Naqada III tombs , archaeologists have found a store of artifacts including handmade ceramics, oysters shells, kohl cosmetics (for drawing around the eyes) and three bowls (a circle, a rectangle). and the other one has the image of a tilapia). Waziri suspects that many people from the Naqada culture have lived in the area and may find more graves in the near future.

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