Journal Article

Mastaba 3541 North of Saqqara and the Archaeological Object Discovered there

Ali, Ali Mohamed Ahmed

2022

Overview

This paper presents the outcomes of archaeological excavations at North Saqqara, focusing on Mastaba 3541, which is associated with Early Dynastic burials of the First and Second Dynasties. The author emphasizes that Saqqara, as part of the Memphite necropolis, was a major funerary landscape with continuous activity spanning more than three millennia. The excavation followed the Egyptian single recording system, documenting soil layers and artifacts. Findings revealed multiple burial shafts leading to chambers that contained wooden coffins, mummies, ushabti figurines, wooden masks, and limestone objects. Evidence of reuse in later periods, including New Kingdom pottery, was also noted. Among the significant discoveries were a complete wooden coffin decorated with a mask, fragments of funerary equipment, and a headless limestone statue inscribed with hieroglyphs. The study highlights the challenges of excavating in an area marked by dense sand deposits and overlapping structures. Results indicate that Mastaba 3541 was integrated into a broader funerary landscape, illustrating the development of tomb architecture and burial practices from the earliest phases of Egyptian civilization. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of funerary traditions and their relation to power and elite officials during Egypt's formative dynasties. Abstract Written by Dar AlMandumh, 2025, Using AI

• Publisher: المعهد العالي للدراسات النوعية
• Subject: الآثار الجنائزية / الاكتشافات الاثرية / التاريخ القديم / مصر