In a major archaeological breakthrough, the Egyptian-Italian mission—formed through a partnership between Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Milan—has uncovered a group of rock-cut tombs dating back to the Greco-Roman period near the Aga Khan Mausoleum in Aswan.
The tombs, which form part of a larger cemetery surrounding the mausoleum, are notable for their well-preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions, offering new insights into funerary traditions during the Ptolemaic and Roman eras.
Among the most significant finds this season is Tomb No. 38, distinguished by its architectural design and remarkable state of preservation. Located over two metres underground, the tomb is accessed via a stone staircase comprising nine steps, flanked by mudbrick platforms believed to have been used for placing funerary offerings.
Inside, archaeologists discovered a two-metre-high limestone sarcophagus resting on a rock-carved platform. The sarcophagus features an anthropoid lid with a finely detailed human face, a traditional wig, and vivid decorative elements. Two vertical columns of hieroglyphic text offer prayers to the local deities of Aswan and identify the tomb’s owner as Ka-Mesiu, a high-ranking official of the time. The names of several family members were also found inscribed within the tomb. Several mummies were recovered from the site, including those of children.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy hailed the discovery as a significant addition to Aswan’s rich archaeological record, emphasising the depth and diversity of ancient Egyptian civilisation across successive eras.
He also underscored the importance of international scientific collaboration, noting that such partnerships open new avenues for understanding the structure of local society in southern Egypt during the Greco-Roman period. The find reaffirms Aswan’s role as a key cultural and administrative hub in antiquity.
Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Ismail Khaled, said the discovery reflects the continuous use of the cemetery by various social classes—from elite families interred in tombs atop the plateau to middle-class individuals buried along the slopes.
Khaled noted that the inscriptions and artefacts recovered will offer invaluable material for Egyptologists, particularly in studying funerary customs and religious iconography in later periods of ancient Egypt. The newly discovered mummies, including those of children, will undergo CT scans and biological analysis in the upcoming autumn season to further explore their identities, health conditions, and causes of death.
Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the summit of the hill is home to large subterranean tombs from the Ptolemaic period, initially constructed for the elite and later reused during the Roman era.
In previous excavation seasons, the same mission uncovered funerary mastabas and rock-cut tombs in the nearby mountains of Sidi Othman, revealing an architectural style adapted to the area’s rugged topography.
This latest discovery is part of a broader archaeological programme launched in 2019, jointly led by Professor Patrizia Piacentini, Egyptologist at the University of Milan, and Fahmy Al-Amin, General Director of Antiquities in Aswan.
The discoveries made in the vicinity of the Aga Khan Mausoleum continue to highlight the area’s immense archaeological value, reaffirming its status as a vital component of Aswan’s historical landscape and a key source of knowledge about Egypt’s Greco-Roman heritage.
