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First Dynasty funerary boat discovered at Egypt's Abu Rawash
French archaeological mission discovers 3000BC funeral boat of King Den northeast of Giza Plateau, indicating earlier presence at the Archaic period cemetery
Ahram Online, Wednesday 25 Jul 2012
a plaque of the boat
[I think they mean plank! KIA]
During routine excavation works at the Archaic period cemetery located at Abu Rawash area northeast of the Giza Plateau, a French archaeological mission from the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo (IFAO) stumbled on what is believed to be a funerary boat of the First Dynasty King Den (dating from around 3000BC).
The funerary boat was buried with royalty, as ancient Egyptians believed it would transfer the king's soul to the afterlife for eternity.
Unearthed in the northern area of Mastaba number six (a flat-roofed burial structure) at the archaeological site, boat consists of 11 large wooden planks reaching six metres high and 150 metres wide, Minister of State for Antiquities Mohamed Ibrahim said in a press release sent to Ahram Online on Wednesday.
The wooden sheets were transported to the planned National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation for restoration and are expected to be put on display at the Nile hall when the museum is finished and opens its doors to the public next year.
The IFAO started its excavation works at Abu Rawash in the early 1900s where several archaeological complexes were found. At the complex of King Djedefre, son of the Great Pyramid King Khufu, Emile Chassinat discovered the remains of a funerary settlement, a boat pit and numerous statuary fragments that bore the name of Fourth Dynasty King Djedefre.
Under the direction of Pierre Lacau, the IFAO continued its excavation work and found new structures to the east of the Djedefre pyramid. However objects bearing the names of First Dynasty Kings Aha and Den found near the pyramid indicate an earlier presence at Abu Rawash.
A wonderful find. As for the excavated planks being 'six metres high and 150 wide', I suppose they mean six metres wide and 150 metres long, but that still doesn't sound right widthwise. One wonders what else will be uncovered as work goes on.
The Giza plateau must be riddled with tombs...many yet to be discovered. This latest announcement even reached BBC TV although it's unlikely to excite anyone but egyptologists.....unlike a possible...
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I've seen reference to artifacts bearing Hetpet's name elsewhere.......items which came to light over a century ago.
Few of the tombs discovered in recent years - whether at Giza, Sakkara,...
A Spanish-Italian team carrying out routine excavation work on Luxor's west bank has stumbled upon what is believed to be the tomb of Maayi, a top governmental official in the 18th dynasty.
As some may have known but there was a minor rebellion during the reign of Seti I, please can anyone other than self give me a reason as to why that even occurred.
I was listening to a gnostic lecture the other day. And the gentleman proposed that in the 18th Dynasty they discovered a type of mandrake root in Egypt. Not the standard type that can be poisonous,...
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Well if you know where I can hold of some, I will gladly undertake a scientific evaluation and report back my findings in a 'lucid and eligible form, I did the mushrooms & ayahusca years ago....:cool:
