A stunning archaeological discovery in Egypt's ancient capital of Tanis has unveiled a treasure trove of 225 funerary figurines, shedding light on a long-standing mystery. The figurines, known as ushabti, were found inside a royal tomb, a rare find that has captivated experts and historians alike. The discovery, made on October 9, 2025, by the French Tanis excavation mission, has revealed a star-shaped arrangement of the figurines around a trapezoidal pit, offering a glimpse into ancient Egyptian burial practices. The team, led by archaeologist Frederic Payraudeau, had to work through the night to carefully extract the figurines, a testament to the meticulous nature of the excavation process.
The significance of this find lies not only in the sheer number of figurines but also in their gender distribution. Over half of the figurines are women, a quite exceptional feature. This discovery challenges our understanding of ancient Egyptian society and its burial customs. Tanis, located in the Nile Delta, was founded around 1050 BC as the capital of the Egyptian kingdom during the 21st dynasty. At that time, the Valley of the Kings, which had been looted during the reign of pharaohs like Ramses, was abandoned, and the royal necropolis was relocated to Tanis.
The discovery also solves a long-standing mystery regarding the identity of the person buried in the sarcophagus. The royal symbol on the figurines identifies the sarcophagus's occupant as Pharaoh Shoshenq III, who reigned from 830 to 791 BC. This finding is astonishing, as the walls of another tomb at the site bear his name, yet he is not buried in that tomb. The expert, Payraudeau, suggests that the royal succession may not have gone as planned, or the pharaoh's remains may have been moved due to looting. The sarcophagus's size and the tomb's dimensions make it challenging to imagine a relocation, adding to the intrigue.
The discovery has sparked excitement among Egyptologists, with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities calling it a 'decisive step in solving a long-standing archaeological mystery.' Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Archaeology, emphasizes that Tanis still holds many secrets waiting to be uncovered. Additionally, the mission has revealed previously unknown patterns within the chamber, shedding light on burial methods during that period. The timing of this discovery is particularly intriguing, coming just weeks after the official opening of the $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the largest museums dedicated to a single civilization, ancient Egypt.
