Sealed jars of 5,000-year-old wine have been discovered in an Egyptian tomb.
According to the German-Austrian team of archaeologists, led by Christiana Köhler at the University of Vienna, the tomb should belong to Meret-Neiths – believed to be Egypt’s first female pharaoh of the First Dynasty.
– The most powerful woman
The excavation took place at Egypt’s first royal necropolis in the ancient city of Abydos, located eleven kilometers west of the Nile.
According to one press release from the University of ViennaMeret-Neith is said to have been the most powerful woman in the period around 3000 years before our era.
Necropolis:
Sea view
“New excavations prove her special and historical importance: researchers found 5,000-year-old wine and other gifts. This supports the speculation that Meret-Neith was the first pharaoh of ancient Egypt, and the predecessor of Queen Hatshepsut,” the statement says.
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Furthermore, it is stated that Meret-Neiths was the only woman who was given her own monumental tomb in the royal burial ground at Abydos.
Coagulated wine
The many large wine jars found in the grave must have been well preserved, and several were still sealed. Well-preserved grape seeds were also found in several of the jars.
GIFTS: The archaeologists are said to have also found well-preserved grape seeds in sealed jars. Photo: EC Köhler Show more
However, the wine is no longer supposed to be liquid, and researchers have difficulty determining whether it was white wine or red wine that was served to the queen after her death.
Meret-Neith, whose name is written in various ways, was probably regent for his son Den until he was old enough to rule himself, writes Large Norwegian encyclopedia.
ABYDOS: The ancient city is considered one of the most significant places in Egypt. Photo: EC Köhler Show more
According to the article, it is not impossible that her name was just “Meret” – and that “Neith” was part of her royal title.
Challenges the idea of human sacrifice
The archaeologist team writes in the press release that inscriptions testify that the queen was responsible for the treasury.
In addition to Meret-Neith’s burial chamber, 41 courtiers and servants were buried around the chamber.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: The excavation is a collaboration between Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Activities, the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo, the University of Vienna, TU Wien, and Lund University in Sweden. Photo: EC Köhler Show more
According to the press release from the University of Vienna, the burial chamber was built of mudstone, clay and wood. The archaeologist team could see that the tombs were built in several stages and over a relatively long time.
“This observation, along with other evidence, challenges the idea of ritual human sacrifice as part of royal burial in the First Dynasty, which was often assumed in early research – but never really proven.”
2023-10-16 14:59:14
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