Archaeologists in Egypt have just discovered 225 shabti statues, small statues believed to be serving the dead in the other world, belonging to pharaoh Shoshenq III but located in the tomb of another pharaoh.
These shabti statues were found in Tanis, northern Egypt, in the northern part of the pharaoh Osor Kon II's mausoleum, near an unending coffin. Based on the symbolic lines on the statue, the research team identified their true owners.
Although the mausoleum and coffin were discovered in 1939, only the shabti number were recently discovered by the Egyptian-French archaeological team during the conservation process, according to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The group also discovered some new carvings and are continuing to decoding them.
The ancient Egyptians believed that the shabti statue (also known as ushabti) would work for the deceased in the other world, from carrying goods to carrying goods. The tombs of the wealthy class in Egypt usually have hundreds of statues. For example, the mausoleum of pharaoh Tutankhamun has more than 400 shabti statues.
Pharaoh Shoshenq III (also spelled Sheshonq III) ruled around 825-773 BC, during the time when Egypt was not yet unified. The reign of Shoshenq III is long but turbulent, with a bloody successor to the northern kings (Shushenq III) and two kings in the south (cousins of Shoshenq III), said Frederic Payraudeau, director of the French archaeological delegation to Tanis, who led the group that found the shabti.
Despite the fierce conflict, Shoshenq III has built many works in Tanis, especially a large gate at the entrance to the main temple complex, Payraudeau said.
Pharaoh Shoshenq III also built a mausoleum for himself in Tanis, where pharaoh Osorkon II (residing around 874-850 BC) was buried. Both pharaohs belonged to the 22nd dynasty of ancient Egypt.
The discovery of the shabti made of ceramic tournaments in the tomb of pharaoh Osor Kon II shows that pharaoh Shoshenq III was not buried in his own tomb, but in an unknown coffin placed in Osor Kon II's tomb. Although this mausoleum has been known for a long time, previous researchers did not know that pharaoh Shoshenq III was also buried here.
The fact that shabti are located right next to an unknown coffin along with the correspondingength on the wall clearly shows that Shoshenq III was buried here and not in the correct tomb location, said researcher Payraudeau.
Why the pharaoh Shoshenq III was buried in the tomb of his predecessor is still an open question. Researcher Payraudeau believes that the cause may be related to conflict or inheritance disputes.
Some of the antiques in the original mausoleum of Shoshenq III are named Shoshenq IV, who ruled the 23rd dynasty. It is possible that Shoshenq IV took back Shoshenq IIIs remains and transferred his remains to Osor Kon IIs remains, said Ai Cap University Professor Aidan Dodson (University of Bristol, UK), who was not involved in the study.
In ancient Egypt, the reuse of tombs was not uncommon. However, the reason for Shoshenq IV to use the mausoleum of Shoshenq III and move the body to the mausoleum of Osor Kon II is still unclear.
