A team of Egyptian and Italian archaeologists has uncovered a series of remarkably well-preserved rock-cut tombs dating to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods in the necropolis surrounding the famed Aga Khan Mausoleum on the west bank of Aswan. Among the finds are intact hieroglyphic inscriptions, painted funerary scenes, and limestone sarcophagi, shedding new light on life and death in southern Egypt during the Greco-Roman era.
The discovery, announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, was made by the joint Egyptian-Italian mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Milan. The excavations this season focused on the rocky cliffs near Sidi Othman hill, long known for their historical significance, and revealed new layers of ritual and architectural complexity.
At the heart of the announcement is Tomb 38 — a standout find both in design and preservation. Located more than two meters beneath the surface, the tomb is accessed via a nine-step stone staircase flanked by mudbrick offering platforms. Inside, archaeologists found a finely crafted limestone sarcophagus resting atop a bedrock pedestal carved directly into the mountain.
The sarcophagus features a human-headed lid with finely rendered facial features and a tripartite wig — hallmarks of elite burial customs. Two vertical bands of hieroglyphic inscriptions record invocations to local deities and the name of the tomb owner: Ka-Mesiu, identified as a senior official of his time. Names of his family members are also inscribed, along with traces of painted funerary motifs. Multiple mummies were discovered in situ, including those of children — a rare and poignant insight into multigenerational burial practices.
“This is a significant addition to Aswan’s growing record of archaeological findings,†said Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, describing the find as a “qualitative leap†that underscores the diversity and richness of ancient Egyptian civilization across successive periods.
The find highlights the ongoing importance of international academic collaboration. Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the discovery offers a window into the evolving use of the necropolis by various social classes — from elite tombs at the hilltop to more modest burials along the slopes.
“The inscriptions and funerary assemblage provide crucial material for Egyptological research, particularly regarding mortuary traditions and religious symbolism during the late periods of Egyptian history,†Dr. Khaled said.
All mummies found this season, including the remains of children, will undergo CT scanning and bioarchaeological analysis in the coming autumn season. These studies aim to reveal details about the individuals’ identities, health, causes of death, and possibly even their diets and social status.
According to Mohamed Abdel-Badi, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, the uppermost parts of the hill reveal monumental tombs from the Ptolemaic period reused during Roman times by the wealthy elite. In contrast, earlier seasons of excavation exposed funerary terraces and additional rock-cut tombs carved into the rugged terrain of Sidi Othman, showcasing the site’s sophisticated adaptation to natural topography.
The archaeological mission, led by Dr. Patrizia Piacentini, Professor of Egyptology at the University of Milan, in collaboration with site director Fahmy El-Amin, Director-General of Aswan Antiquities, has been active at the site since 2019. Their work continues to underscore the enduring archaeological significance of the necropolis around the Aga Khan Mausoleum — a landscape where the Nile Valley’s ancient past still reveals new chapters.
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