A team of archaeologists from Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has unveiled significant findings at Qubbet Al-Hawa, a prominent archaeological site situated near Aswan in southeast Egypt. This site is renowned for its extensive necropolis.
The recent exploration, as reported, concentrated on rock-cut burial shafts and chambers, revealing two chambers containing an impressive collection of 160 pottery vessels. Many of these vessels are inscribed and are believed to have been utilized for storing grain and liquids. The artifacts, showcasing various shapes and sizes, are remarkably well-preserved.
In addition to the pottery, another tomb's outer courtyard revealed a treasure trove of bronze mirrors, kohl containers, beaded necklaces, and other jewelry from the Middle Kingdom. The archaeological evidence indicates that this tomb complex was utilized by ancient Egyptians over several centuries, beginning in the Old Kingdom (circa 2700-2200 BCE).
Hisham El-Leithy, the SCA's secretary general, emphasized the council's commitment to further studying these rock-cut tombs to gain deeper insights into their historical use and significance over time.
Located on the west bank of the Nile, Qubbet Al-Hawa was first excavated in the late 1880s and contains around 100 tombs carved into the cliff faces, originally built for local governors, dignitaries, and priests. This burial site has remained active from the Old Kingdom through the Roman period. Notable recent discoveries include ten mummified crocodiles found in 2019, six flat-roofed mud-brick graves uncovered in 2020, and three Old Kingdom tombs containing human remains revealed in 2025.
In late 2015, the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection in Berlin collaborated with the Aswan Inspectorate, a branch of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, to document and conserve a newly identified necropolis located about a mile north of Qubbet Al-Hawa. This ongoing project has thus far uncovered nine tombs within the nearly 300,000-square-foot burial complex.
