3,000-yr-old noblewoman's tomb found in Egypt

Washington, Mar 7: Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,000-year-old noblewoman's tomb complex in Egypt, which includes among other things, ancient cult chapels.

According to a report in National Geographic News, the tomb has been identified as belonging to a woman named Isisnofret - possibly the granddaughter of Pharaoh Ramses II, who reigned during the 13th century B C

Hieroglyphics on a sarcophagus in the tomb identify Isisnofret as a spst, or noblewoman-an honorific reserved for women of the royal family or of otherwise exceptional status.

Long hidden by sand and rubble on a rocky outcrop on the outskirts the ancient royal burial city of Saqqara, the complex measures 89 by 34 feet (27 by 10 meters).

The tomb complex includes the base of a pyramid, a monumental gateway, a colonnaded courtyard, and an antechamber with three cult chapels, according to the team from Japan's Waseda University that has been excavating the site since 1991.

Common in New Kingdom (1539 to 1075 B C) tomb complexes, cult chapels frequently hosted the deceased's family on feast days.

ANI