Archaeologists Uncover 4,000-Year-Old Coffin Nested Inside Egyptian Priestess’s Tomb

Archaeologists have made an extraordinary find: a 4,000-year-old burial chamber belonging to an Egyptian priestess named Idy. This unique tomb, discovered in Asyut, about 200 miles south of Cairo, features an unusual “coffin within a coffin” design. Idy is believed to have been the daughter of Djefai-Hapi I, a powerful governor who ruled around 1800 BC.

In a statement on Facebook, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities highlighted Djefai-Hapi I as “one of the most significant rulers of ancient Egyptian territories.” Professor Jochem Kahl, an archaeologist from Freie Universität Berlin leading the project, explained that Djefai-Hapi I was considered divine and that his tomb held cultural importance in Egypt for over 2,000 years.

Kahl noted that Idy served as a priestess of the goddess Hathor and held the title “mistress of the house,” indicating her high social standing and family wealth.

Inside Idy’s coffin, archaeologists found intricately decorated coffins adorned with illustrations and texts that depict the journey of the deceased through the afterlife. Idy’s organs, including her liver, spleen, lungs, and intestines, had been removed and preserved in jars, while her body underwent mummification to ensure preservation after death.

Preliminary studies of Idy’s bones reveal that she likely passed away before the age of 40, having lived with a congenital foot defect. Her grave also contained valuable items, such as a dagger and wooden figurines, believed to be intended for her use in the afterlife.

Professor Kahl described the discovery as “aesthetically and scientifically extraordinary” and said it offers new insights into women’s roles and knowledge transfer in ancient Egypt. Further research on this find will shed more light on the lives of Idy and her father.

Following the initial conservation and careful recovery of the artifacts from the 14-meter-deep burial shaft, the items will be handed over to Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism for preservation and further study.