Friday March 29th, 2024
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7,000-Year-Old Ancient Egyptian City Discovered in Sohag

The world is buzzing with news that an Egypt-based team of archaeologists have unearthed an ancient city belonging to the First Dynasty, dating back 7,000 years.

Staff Writer

News of the recent discovery of an Ancient Egyptian city near the Nile, believed to be 7,000 years old, is quickly spreading.

Some in the media are calling it a city, while others believe it’s an ancient cemetery, but no one argues that it will give a unique insight into one of Egypt’s oldest cities: Abydos. The startling discovery has unearthed 15 huge graves that some suggest are bigger than graves belonging to royalty.

Leading the archaeological mission was a team from within the country and, so far, archaeologists have discovered a treasure trove of uncovered huts, pottery remains, iron tools, and massive graves believed to belong to Egypt’s First Dynasty. Some experts speculate that Abydos may have been Egypt’s capital city towards the end of the predynastic period, covering the rule of Egypt’s first four dynasties.  

According to the Ministry of Antiquities, the settlement discovered 250 miles south of Cairo and 400 metres from the temple of Seti I, is located in the southern province of Sohag and will shed light on one of Egypt’s oldest cities as the graves discovered are believed to belong to high-ranking officials and grave builders. According to statements made by a ministry spokesman, “The size of the graves discovered in the cemetery is larger in some instances than royal graves in Abydos dating back to the first dynasty, which proves the importance of the people buried there and their high social standing during this early era of ancient Egyptian history.” 

This new discovery couldn’t come at a better time as Egypt's tourism sector continues to struggle in the aftermath of uprisings and the bombing of a Russian plane in Sharm El Sheikh last year.