Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a 4,400-year-old tomb near Cairo that contains rare wall paintings and is believed to belong to a high-ranking Egyptian priestess, government officials said on Saturday.
There are colored depictions of traditional scenes: animals grazing, fishing, bird-catching, offerings, sacrifice, soldiers and fruit-gathering.
The tomb is thought to be that of a priestess named Hetpet.
Hetpet was a priestess for Hathor, a goddess depicted as a cow and associated with fertility, motherhood and love. The priestess is believed to have been close to ancient Egyptian royals of the Fifth Dynasty.Hetpet was a “high official” who had a “strong link” to the royal palace, informed the archaeologists.
Scenes on the tomb’s walls show Hetpet hunting and fishing. The walls also included images of dancing and musical performances, as well as monkeys, which were domestic pets at the time, Khaled el-Enany, the Egyptian antiquities minister, told reporters at the site of the tomb, which is from about 2,400 B.C.
Egyptian archaeologists unveil the tomb of an Old Kingdom priestess adorned with well-preserved and rare wall paintings. pic.twitter.com/0x1LTgQg3e
— AFP news agency (@AFP) February 4, 2018
Cover pic source : Newyork Times
