Coffins of Amun’s singers, sealed papyri found at Luxor

A cache of 22 painted wooden sarcophagi containing the mummified remains of the singing priestesses of Amun have been discovered in the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna section of the Theban Necropolis on Luxor’s West Bank. Eight rare papyri were also found in the burial which dates to the Third Intermediate Period (1070/1069-712 B.C.).

The coffins were unearthed in the southwest corner of the courtyard of the tomb of 18th Dynasty official Djeserkaraseneb. Archaeologists uncovered a rectangular rock-cut chamber that was used as a funerary storehouse. The coffins are elaborately painted in vivid polychrome. They were stacked in layers and carefully arranged so the 22 coffins fit into the constricted space. They were placed in 10 horizontal rows and the lids separated from the body of the coffin to maximize the limited space.

There are no personal names on most of the coffins, but there are titles. The most common title found in the coffin is “Singer of Amun” or “Chantress of Amun.” Despite the lack of individual identification, the mummies have not been disturbed and are still inside their original coffins.

The excavation revealed a group of ceramic vessels next to the sarcophagi. These appear to have had practical purposes, likely used to store materials used in the embalming process. One large terracotta vase contained eight papyri, some with their original clay seal still in place. The papyri will have to undergo extensive conservation and stabilization before they can be opened, read and translated.

The conservative condition of the wooden artifacts necessitated immediate intervention by the mission’s restoration team. Operations included consolidation of compromised wood fibers, treatment of polychrome facing surfaces affected by detachments, and thorough mechanical cleaning to remove surface deposits without altering the vibrancy of the original colors. Each item was also subjected to photographic and architectural documentation before transfer to storage warehouses.

* This article was originally published here