Source: CCTV.com

04-29-2009 09:17

Archaeologists in Egypt say they have discovered an ancient necropolis containing dozens of mummies dating back as far as 4-thousand years in the oasis of Fayoum, south of Cairo.

Archaeologists in Egypt say they have discovered an ancient necropolis containing dozens of mummies dating back as far as 4-thousand year in the oasis of Fayoum, south of Cairo.

Fifty-three tombs have been discovered cut into rock at a site southeast of the Illahun pyramids.

Doctor Abdel-Rahman El-Ayedi was in charge of the team that made the discovery.

Dr. Abdel-Rahman El-Ayedi, Supervisor of Antiquities for Middle Egypt, said, "The importance of this discovery (is) that it will show the funeral, the development of the funeral architecture within this period of time. At the same time it will give us a clear idea of the burial customs of ancient Egyptians during this time. The tombs are very architectural in design, some of them are very simple in design, they consist of a shaft and a single burial chamber, and others are comprised of more than a burial chamber."

Many other objects were found, including pottery, amulets and statues. The prevailing idea among Egyptologists is that this site was established by Senusret the Second, the 4th King of the 12th Dynasty.

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Editor:Liu Fang