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Eternal Servants: Discovery of Thousands of Mystical Figurines in Egypt
Archaeologists have unearthed thousands of miniature figurines in a cemetery dating back several thousand years, near the town of Tuna el-Gebel in central Egypt. Some of these figurines were found in the tomb of a singer who participated in rituals honoring one of the gods.
The discovery was announced jointly on Sunday by the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, Dr. Ghady Shalaby, and the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mostafa Waziry. The find was made in central Egypt, near the town of Tuna el-Gebel at an archaeological site known as Al-Ghurifa. Excavations at this site have been ongoing since 2017, but researchers had refrained from announcing the results until now.
Not only sarcophagi but also numerous artifacts, including shabti figurines
During the press conference, the contents of some of the tombs were presented. Among the artifacts were amulets, jewelry, sarcophagi with mummies. They also showcased thousands of shabti figurines. These are faience, wooden, or stone figurines depicting the deceased in mummy form. Shabtis were believed to come to life in the afterlife and work on behalf of the deceased, as believed by ancient Egyptians. In some tombs in Egypt, even hundreds…
