Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan

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 meters 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-meter-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.