28 August 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

1500-year-old Elite tombs were discovered vicinity of the ancient seaport of Berenice Troglodytica in Egypt

Polish archaeologists have discovered a tomb complex near the ancient port of Berenice Troglodytica in Egypt.

Archaeologists from the University of Warsaw’s Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology discovered a tomb complex with seven remains buried in different strata. The graves, which originate from roughly 1500 years ago, were positioned with the lower limbs resting on the chest.

PAP research leader of the University of Warsaw, Center for Mediterranean Archeology, Dr. Mariusz Gwiazda, “This is not a natural position. In order to achieve it, the deceased had to be bound with ropes or tied with cloth,” he said.

Mezarda bulunan boncuklar. Photo: Dr. Mariusz Gwiazda
Mezarda bulunan boncuklar. Photo: Dr. Mariusz Gwiazda

Dr. Gwiazda stated that in the 2nd century, Agatarchides of Cnidus described the funerary customs of the tribes of the Eastern Desert and that strings were tied around the neck and legs of the deceased so that the body would assume a crouching position. -Maybe it was similar in this case.

Archaeologists could not yet detect whether the bodies were left all at once or added to the tomb from time to time.

The artifacts found within the tomb indicate that the graves were of an elite class and were buried with imported beads composed of onyx (a silicate mineral chalcedony) and carnelian (a brownish-red mineral) from Pakistan, India, and possibly Indonesia. In addition, the researchers unearthed ivory rings, earrings, and bracelets made of silver. The rings are in the style known from the Egypt-Sudan border.

Beads found in the tomb. Photo: Dr. Mariusz Gwiazda

Berenice was inhabited from the 4th to 6th centuries AD by the Blemians, who became independent from the power of other Mediterranean empires. They were a little-known, nomadic Nubian tribe living in the mountainous Eastern Desert. However, at the time in question, it controlled the area east of the Nile from present-day Ethiopia to Berenice. The authorities ruled the city and prospered through their participation in trade between the Byzantines and the communities living in the Indian Ocean region.

Excavations also revealed evidence of ancient funeral rituals by the discovery of a platform and animal remains likely used for sacrifices. On the platform were bowls used for offerings and several amphorae placed upside down that were emptied during ritual practices.

Archaeologists investigating an elite tomb. Photo: Dr. Mariusz Gwiazda
Archaeologists investigating an elite tomb. Photo: Dr. Mariusz Gwiazda

For many years, archaeologists have been studying the Hellenistic, Roman, and later ruins of the city in Berenice. So far, no more extensive research has been done on human cemeteries from these periods.

Hundreds of animal skeletons found in Berenice harbor in 2011 made researchers think that this place was used as a pet cemetery. The site, located in the ancient Roman port of Berenice, was found 11 years ago, but its purpose was mysterious. In 2021 a detailed excavation in Berenice has uncovered the burials of nearly 600 cats and dogs, along with the strongest evidence yet that these animals were prized pets. First pet cemetery.

PAP

Cover Photo: View of the investigated tomb. Photo: Dr. Mariusz Gwiazda

Related Articles

A ‘very rare’ clay figurine of god Mercury and a previously unknown Roman settlement were discovered at the excavation site in Kent

23 February 2024

23 February 2024

At a previously unknown Roman settlement that was formerly next to a busy port but is now 10 miles from...

The altar of Zeus Temple discovered in western Turkey

1 September 2023

1 September 2023

Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Magnesia, located in the western province of Aydın’s Germencik district, have uncovered the...

This summer, a 2,000-year-old “thermopolium” fast-food restaurant in Pompeii will reopen to the public

8 August 2021

8 August 2021

Archaeologists excavated a 2000-year-old fast food and drink counter “termopolium” on the streets of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii...

200,000-year-old ‘mammoth graveyard’ found in the southwest UK

19 December 2021

19 December 2021

Researchers have unearthed a mammoth “graveyard” filled with the bony remains of five individuals, including an infant, two juveniles, and...

Isotopic Evidence reveals surprising dietary practices of pre-agricultural human groups in Morocco

30 April 2024

30 April 2024

It has long been accepted wisdom that hunter-gatherer societies lived primarily off of meat. But fresh data from an innovative...

Uncovering the ritual past of ancient mustatils: Cult, herding, and ‘pilgrimage’ in the Late Neolithic of north-west Arabia

16 March 2023

16 March 2023

Mustatils—stone monuments from the Late Neolithic period thought to have been used for ritual purposes—have been the subject of new...

Scientists Create a 3D Model of Lost Temple Relief from a 134-Year-Old Photo Using AI

13 November 2024

13 November 2024

The researchers developed a neural network that can take a single 2D photo of a three-dimensional object and produce a...

5700-year-old monumental Menga Dolmen reveals it as one of the greatest feats of Neolithic engineering

6 December 2023

6 December 2023

A new investigation tracing the source of the gigantic stones that make up the Menga dolmen in southern Spain reveals...

Smoke archeology finds evidence Humans visited Nerja Cave for 40,000 Years

26 April 2023

26 April 2023

A new study by a team from the University of Córdoba reveals that Nerja is the European cave with the...

An extraordinary medieval belt loop found near Kamień Pomorski in Poland

18 March 2024

18 March 2024

A late medieval belt loop for hanging keys or a bag was found near the town of Kamień Pomorski in...

For the first time, researchers discovered bioarchaeological evidence of familial embalming in early modern France

16 November 2024

16 November 2024

A unique discovery has revealed new insights into the burial rituals of early modern Western Europe: For the first time,...

Discovery of 1,500-Year-Old Mosaic at Ancient City of Dara in Mardin, Türkiye

7 July 2025

7 July 2025

According to information provided by Anadolu Agency, archaeologists have recently uncovered a remarkably well-preserved 1,500-year-old mosaic decorated with drop and...

Oil drilling uncovers a 2,000-year-old cemetery with giant Urn-like tombs in Southwest Iran

16 July 2022

16 July 2022

An ancient cemetery with urn-like tombs was discovered in Ahvaz, the capital city of Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. The...

Climate Change Negatively Impacts 45 000-year-old Cave Paintings in Indonesia

13 May 2021

13 May 2021

Cave paintings from 20,000 to 50,000 years ago in Indonesia are in danger of extinction due to climate change. Indonesia...

60 Elongated Structures of Unknown Function and Neolithic Silos Discovered in France

12 October 2024

12 October 2024

The Pfulgriesheim site, located in northeastern France’s Alsace region, underwent extensive archaeological research before being developed as a new urban...