21 April 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

An Egyptian Tomb Decorated with Magic Snake Spells Discovered

During excavations at Abusir, between Giza and Saqqara, archaeologists at the Czech Institute of Egyptology (CIE) found an ancient tomb with magic spells that protect the tomb’s occupant against snake bites. The tomb is dated to the  1st millennium BC.

The tomb was uncovered during excavations conducted in April and May, the Czech Institute of Egyptology (CIE) at Charles University in Prague, which led the investigations, announced Friday.

The archaeological site of Abusir is known for its extensive necropolis and pyramid complexes that date back to the Old Kingdom period (2686-2181 BC).

The newly discovered tomb is located in a western section of Abusir that served as a cemetery for high-ranking officials and military commanders from ancient Egypt’s 26th and 27th dynasties.

“It is a richly decorated shaft tomb of medium size, whose owner, a certain Džehutiemhat, held the office of the royal scribe,” explains Ladislav Bareš, who has been coordinating the research of Abusir shaft tombs for a long time.

Analysis of bones recovered from the tomb has determined that Djehutyemhat died at a relatively early age of about 25 years, showing signs of some kind of “occupational disease” (spinal wear), possibly due to sedentary work. He suffered from acute osteoporosis.

A tomb that is approximately 3000 years old. Photo: FF.Cuni.cz.
A tomb that is approximately 3000 years old. Photo: FF.Cuni.cz.

The tomb is a medium-sized shaft tomb adorned with an array of inscriptions, artwork, and texts. Notably, its northern wall features a series of spells designed to safeguard against snake bites. During this era, venomous snakes were a constant threat, and these spells were crucial for protection. Interestingly, the spells also depict snakes as powerful guardians of the deceased and their mummy.

“The snakes mentioned in these magical texts were a potential danger and could serve as powerful protectors of the deceased and his mummy,” the scientists noted.

Renata Landgrafova, director of the Czech Institute of Egyptology and an expert on ancient Egyptian language and texts, noted that the southern and western walls of the tomb were painted with drawings of sacrificial rituals and a long list of victims.

Image of deities on the walls of the tomb. Photo: FF.Cuni.cz.
Image of deities on the walls of the tomb. Photo: FF.Cuni.cz.

The southern and western walls of the burial chamber, hidden almost 50 meters below ground level, are decorated with ritual offerings, and the ceiling displays intricate depictions of the sun’s journey across the sky, accompanied by hymns to the celestial body.

A large stone sarcophagus, adorned with hieroglyphic inscriptions and depictions of gods, sits at the center of the burial chamber. Some of these inscriptions are excerpts from the Book of the Dead, a collection of ancient Egyptian funerary texts known for their spells and magical formulas.

The upper side of the sarcophagus lid is decorated with three columns of hieroglyphic text with the liturgy of the 178th chapter of the Book of the Dead, which consists of excerpts from much older texts of the pyramids. These texts were thought to guide and protect the deceased in the afterlife.

Image of deities on the walls of the tomb. Photo: FF.Cuni.cz.
Image of deities on the walls of the tomb. Photo: FF.Cuni.cz.

The sarcophagus also features images of goddesses Isis and Nephthys, along with accompanying texts providing protection to the deceased. The presence of Imentet, the goddess of the West, adds a symbolic layer of meaning to the tomb.

The tomb’s magical texts and inscriptions served a profound purpose. They were intended to ensure a smooth and secure journey into the afterlife for the dignitary, Djehutyemhat. This discovery not only sheds light on the individual and their role in this turbulent period but also on the fascinating beliefs and rituals of ancient Egyptians during the 6th to 5th centuries B.C.

CZECH INSTITUTE OF EGYPTOLOGY FF UK

Cover Photo: CZECH INSTITUTE OF EGYPTOLOGY FF UK

Related Articles

The Roman Imperial period, There was Less Waste in the Production of Marble Slabs than Today

17 May 2021

17 May 2021

When talking about the architecture of the ancient Roman Empire, most people usually think of the mental image of white...

A Connection Between Viking Knots And Quantum Vortices Discovered

14 December 2022

14 December 2022

Scientists demonstrated how three vortices can be linked in such a way that they cannot be dismantled. Although this study...

In Ryazan, the first birch bark letters were discovered

13 September 2021

13 September 2021

The first birch bark letters were found at the Vvedensky excavation site in the Kremlin in Pereyaslavl Ryazan (modern Ryazan)....

Ancient terracotta dancers, and musicians unearthed in China

13 November 2022

13 November 2022

Chinese archaeologists recently discovered a large group of terracotta figurines from a tomb in a group dating to the Northern...

13.000 Ostraca Discovered in Upper Egypt

20 December 2021

20 December 2021

The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism announced that a German-Egyptian mission at the Al-Sheikh Hamad archaeological site in Tel...

Southwest Germany’s Oldest Gold Artifact Found

28 May 2021

28 May 2021

Archaeologists discovered the 3,800-year-old burial of a woman who died when she was around 20 years old in what is...

A Treasure-Laden Burial Chamber Found Hidden Among Terracotta Army

7 June 2024

7 June 2024

Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of China, and his tomb is renowned for being guarded by an army...

İnteresting Relief on the Roman Millstone

20 February 2021

20 February 2021

During the Cambridgeshire A14 road improvement work, workers found an interesting millstone. A large penis was engraved in the Roman-era...

Tutankhamun of Kazakhstan, “Golden Man”

1 August 2024

1 August 2024

The Golden Man, the main symbol of Kazakhstan’s independence, is a warrior’s costume from about the 5th century BC that...

Shetland Discoveries Seem Close to Uncovering Ancient Viking Capital

4 July 2021

4 July 2021

Important discoveries were made on the last day of excavations to find the ancient Viking capital of Shetland, through the...

A marble slab with an inscription from the 2nd century was discovered during excavations in Bulgaria

18 October 2023

18 October 2023 3

Archaeologists discovered a 1,900-year-old marble slab bearing an ancient Greek inscription in the Roman Baths of Hisarya, a small resort...

Evidence of Early Forms of Pottery Production and 8,000-Year-Old Buildings Belonging to the Elite of the Time Discovered in Iraqi Kurdistan

9 January 2025

9 January 2025

Archaeologists from the University of Udine have uncovered two ancient human settlements in the Rovia sub-district of Dohuk province in...

Water Cultu in Hittites and Eflatunpınar Hittite Water Monument

4 February 2021

4 February 2021

The Hittites, which left their mark on the Bronze Age period in Anatolia, is a society that draws attention with...

16 New Ancient Rock Art Sites Discovered In Jalapão, Brazil

13 March 2024

13 March 2024

Archaeologists at Brazil’s National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) discovered 16 new archaeological sites while surveying a large...

Research Shows Early North Americans Made Eyed Needles from Fur-Bearers

3 December 2024

3 December 2024

Archaeologists from the University of Wyoming have found bone 13,000-year-old eyed needles crafted from the bones of various furry animals....