Aswan: The prestigious Archaeology Magazine has recognized the recently discovered necropolis near the Aga Khan Mausoleum in West Aswan as one of the top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2024. This groundbreaking finding, dating back to Egypt’s Late Period and the Graeco-Roman era, has been hailed as a significant contribution to understanding ancient Egyptian civilization.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the Aswan necropolis, spanning 25 feddans (acres), was uncovered by the joint Egyptian-Italian archaeological mission led by Patrizia Piacentini, Egyptology professor at the University of Milan, and announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in June 2024. The site contains over 400 tombs, with the remains of thousands of men, women, and children, reflecting a broad social spectrum between the sixth century BC and the third century AD.

The magazine praised the finding as a remarkable and unconventional burial site. Unlike traditional necropolises, the Aswan necropolis consists of 10 multi-level burial structures, which illustrate a complex social hierarchy. The upper tombs housed the elite, including a notable Egyptian military commander from the 2nd century BC, while the lower levels were used for middle-class burials.

Artefacts recovered from the site include small statues, vividly coloured cartonnage, and layers of plaster and linen used for wrapping mummies. These discoveries offer invaluable insights into burial practices and daily life in Aswan during the Graeco-Roman period.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), took pride in this international recognition. ‘This discovery not only enriches our understanding of the Aswan region but also underscores its importance as a hub of ancient Egyptian history and provides valuable insights into that period and prevalent diseases,’ he said.

The Aswan necropolis sheds new light on the social and cultural dynamics of the era. The magazine highlighted the site’s significance, describing it as a treasure trove that deepens our understanding of life in ancient Aswan.