Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,800 - twelvemonth - onetime Egyptian grave that they believe carry the mammy of a member of a very important crime syndicate from the Twelfth Dynasty of ancient Eygpt .
Along with the mummified corpse , the tomb contains clayware , wooden artwork , a intemperately beautify funeral mask , and a painted casket . lettering along the coffin say that it contain the body of Shemai , who was the son of Satehotep and Khema and the younger brother of Sarenput II . Sarenput II was a oecumenical and nomarch , a sort of “ Pharaoh - light ” who would rule some Egyptian responsibility under the reign of pharaoh Senusret II and Senusret III .
The discovery was made by the Spanish Archaeological Mission at the necropolis of Qubbet El - Hawa in Aswan , not far from the River Nile in southerly Egypt . This land site has been the station of find for 14 other members of Shemai ’s family , as well . It is believe that Sarenput II hold the position of governor of Elephantine , a small island in the Nile that is near this archeological site site in New - daylight Aswan .
archaeologist put to work by within the grave . Ministry of Antiquities ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
In astatementfrom the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities , the head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities department , Mahmoud Afifi , said that the discovery is “ important ” because it shows how far wealth and prestige followed anyone associated with the ancient Egyptian elite in the Twelfth Dynasty . It seems even those not actually in exponent but just associated with it , like Shemai , who was related to prominent figure , were shower in riches and recognition .
Dr Alejandro Jiménez - Serrano , Egyptologist and archaeologist at the University of Jaen , suppose that the mummy was cover in a “ beautiful ” multi - colored masquerade and neckband . “We have find the mummy body of Shemai , but we give him in his original position , in his coffin . The next class , we will have the chance to look [ at ] his brass , " he toldLive Science .
