Archaeologists in the ancient Egyptian city of Tanis have made a surprising discovery involving two pharaohs and their tombs. A French mission led by Frédéric Payraudeau from Sorbonne University unearthed 225 funerary statuettes dedicated to King Shoshenq III, but intriguingly, these were found in the tomb of King Osorkon II rather than Shoshenq’s own burial site. This finding raises questions about the afterlife beliefs of ancient Egyptians and suggests a complex history of tomb use in the region.
The statuettes, known as ushabti, were designed to serve the deceased in the afterlife, acting as helpers at the behest of the gods. The team discovered these figurines in their original positions, preserved in silt and near a previously identified granite coffin whose owner remains unknown. The discovery was publicly shared by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities through social media.
Significance of the Find
Both Shoshenq III and Osorkon II ruled during the 22nd Dynasty, which lasted from around 945 to 730 BCE during Egypt’s Third Intermediate Period. This period is characterized by political disunity and fragmentation. According to Payraudeau, Shoshenq III’s reign was marked by conflict, particularly a dynastic war involving rival kings from the North and South.
The tomb of Osorkon II is already notable for the Tanis Treasures, a collection of artifacts discovered in 1939 and currently housed in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. The recent findings occurred as archaeologists prepared for a conservation project in the area.
Questions Remain About Burial Practices
There is ongoing debate regarding whether Shoshenq III was buried within Osorkon II’s tomb or if his burial items were relocated there for safekeeping. Hisham Hussein, head of the Central Administration of Antiquities of the Maritime Region, stated that the situation remains uncertain. However, Payraudeau’s observations suggest that the presence of Shoshenq III’s ushabti and the inscriptions on the walls indicate he was indeed buried in Osorkon II’s tomb.
Interestingly, Shoshenq III’s own tomb in Tanis contains relics associated with Shoshenq IV, a ruler from the subsequent 23rd Dynasty. This raises further questions about the historical relationships and burial customs among these ancient kings.
As the archaeological team progresses, they plan to analyze the newly discovered inscriptions, potentially unlocking more secrets about the lives and afterlives of these significant figures in ancient Egyptian history. The sheer number of ushabti—225—suggests that Shoshenq III certainly planned for a well-staffed afterlife, underscoring the importance of funerary practices in ancient Egyptian culture.
