Egyptian Archaeologists Uncover Greco-Roman Cemetery Remains in Beheira Province

Egyptian archaeologists uncovered human remains and artifacts in a Greco-Roman cemetery at the Tell Kom Aziza site in Egypt's northern Beheira province, @CBSNews reported. The burials date from about 332 B.C. to 395 A.D.

And range from simple pit graves to mudbrick-lined tombs and painted plaster coffins. Individual and collective burials appeared at the site, with orientations along both north-south and east-west axes. Some bodies had hands folded over the pelvic region, others rested in the Osirian pose with arms crossed over the chest, and still others lay with arms extended alongside the thighs.

Complete skeletal remains of two wild boars were also recovered. Pottery fragments from the Egyptian Old Kingdom period between 2686 and 2181 B.C. through the Greco-Roman era were found alongside amphorae, burial jars, bread molds, and bread trays.

Nevine El-Aref, media adviser to the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, said the discovery sheds light on the site and shows its transformation from a settlement hub into a major burial ground spanning different ancient eras. Khaled Abdel Ghany Farhat, head of the excavation team, said the diversity of burial styles may reflect social differences, variations in ritual practices, or limited development within the same funerary tradition.

Mohamed Abdel Badi, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said the boar remains require further study to determine whether they represent intentional burials, domestic activity, or ritual elements linked to the cultural significance of the animal.

El-Aref added that excavation work remains ongoing to understand the location's history and patterns of human activity over time.