Australian archaeologists unearth ancient Egyptian tombs Australian archaeologists have discovered six unknown Egyptian tombs in Cairo dating back to 3,000 BC. The tombs, predating the pyramids by hundreds of years, contained the skeletons of two women as well as a wealth of artefacts. Archaeologist Christiana Kohler headed the project by the Australian Centre for Egyptology at Sydney’s Macquarie University. She said the discovery, made during December 2000 and March 2001, came after four years of painstaking fieldwork. Dr Kohler described the discovery, at the Helwan cemetery on the southern outskirts of Cairo, as « absolutely astonishing and unexpected ». « In Egypt today, discovering unexcavated tombs of such an early date is very rare, » she said. « You don’t find intact tombs of that early date anymore. « The wealth and contents of the tombs is absolutely amazing. » Dr Kohler said archaeologists usually had to make do with the « scraps » left by grave robbers. She said the tombs were constructed during a period which marked the end of Egypt’s prehistory and the beginning of the age of the Pharaohs. Found among the tombs were the remains of a mature woman believed to have been a wealthy matron of Memphis, Egypt’s first capital city. She was buried with numerous stone and ceramic vessels and a perfectly preserved flint knife. The team also discovered the skeleton of a young woman, who was aged between 16 and 18 when she died, possibly in childbirth, Dr Kohler said. The young woman was buried with jars and bowls for scented oils and cosmetics, indicating she wanted to be well-groomed in the afterlife. A physical anthropologist would study the woman’s bones to try and establish what caused her premature death. The team will return to the site in November. http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/2001/06/12/FFXIWM1KUNC.html
	australian archaeologists unearth ancient egyptian tombs australian archaeologists have discovered six unknown egyptian tombs in cairo dating back to 3,000 bc. the tombs, predating the pyramids by hundreds of years, contained the skeletons of two women as well as a wealth of artefacts. archaeologist christiana kohler headed the project by the australian centre for egyptology at sydney's macquarie university. she said the discovery, made during december 2000 and march 2001, came after four years of painstaking fieldwork. dr kohler described the discovery, at the helwan cemetery on the southern outskirts of cairo, as "absolutely astonishing and unexpected". "in egypt today, discovering unexcavated tombs of such an early date is very rare," she said. "you don't find intact tombs of that early date anymore. "the wealth and contents of the tombs is absolutely amazing." dr kohler said archaeologists usually had to make do with the "scraps" left by grave robbers. she said the tombs were constructed during a period which marked the end of egypt's prehistory and the beginning of the age of the pharaohs. found among the tombs were the remains of a mature woman believed to have been a wealthy matron of memphis, egypt's first capital city. she was buried with numerous stone and ceramic vessels and a perfectly preserved flint knife. the team also discovered the skeleton of a young woman, who was aged between 16 and 18 when she died, possibly in childbirth, dr kohler said. the young woman was buried with jars and bowls for scented oils and cosmetics, indicating she wanted to be well-groomed in the afterlife. a physical anthropologist would study the woman's bones to try and establish what caused her premature death. the team will return to the site in november. http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/2001/06/12/ffxiwm1kunc.html