3500-year Burial of a Pregnant Woman Discoered in Aswan

The Egyptian-Italian archaeological mission working in Kom Ombo, Aswan discovered a burial of a pregnant woman. 

Dr. Mostafa Waziri said “Almost-intact burial was discovered in a cemetery was used by nomads who came to Egypt through the desert from south Nubia during the second intermediate period (1750-1550 B.C).”

According to Dr. Waziri, the preliminary studies show that at the time of her death, the woman was about 25 years old and she was very close to her due date.

He added that the baby’s skeleton was found in his mother pelvic area and the fetus had already settled in a ‘head-down’ position, hinting to the possibility that both mother and child may have died during childbirth. 

Preliminary analysis of the mother’s remains has revealed a misalignment in the woman’s pelvis, most likely the result of a fracture that had healed incorrectly. It is possible that this abnormality had caused problems during labour leading to the pair premature death.

The mother’s skeleton was resting in a contracted position and was wrapped in a leather shroud. Two pottery vessels accompanied her on her journey to the afterlife: one was a small Egyptian jar, beautifully made and worn down by years of use; the other was a fine bowl with a red polished surface and black interior, produced by these nomadic communities following a Nubian style.  

Dr. Waziri  mentioned that the mission was also found  an unexpected offering  in the grave, consisting of many unfinished ostrich eggshell beads and blank fragments. The reason behind this offering is unclear; it is possible that in life she was a well-regarded beadmaker and her family placed such large amount of unworked material in the grave to honour her memory.

#Egypt #Egypology #Archaeology 

#Egypt #Aswan #Egyptology #Archaeology