Sealed Tomb of High Official Paser Discovered in Luxor
Sealed Tomb Filled with Paintings and Inscriptions Discovered in Egypt
Our Dutch mission in Sheikh Abd al-Qurna has uncovered a sealed tomb belonging to Paser, a high official or priest from the Ramesside period. The site features vibrant paintings and inscriptions depicting worship and offerings, offering new insights into the funerary practices of the Theban elite. We are now focused on documenting and preserving these polychrome decorations to ensure the monument's stability for future study.
"The artistic style of the representations and the craftsmanship of the hieroglyphs point to a chronology corresponding to the Ramesside period, that is, the 19th or 20th Dynasties of the New Kingdom."
HN discussion
- While some argue that opening ancient tombs is morally wrong desecration, others contend that forgetting history is the greater crime and that excavation is essential for understanding past cultures.
- Modern cemeteries in Europe and the UK frequently reuse plots or convert graveyards into parks due to space constraints, contrasting with the perceived sanctity of ancient tombs.
- Many ancient Egyptian tombs were already looted and desecrated by looters even during antiquity, meaning the human remains are often long gone and only wall art remains.
- The article's use of the word 'Sealed' is criticized as clickbait, as the tomb likely contains no intact remains or artifacts of note beyond the walls.
- Historical precedents of grave desecration include colonial phrenologists stealing remains like the head of Aboriginal warrior Yagan to support discredited racial theories.