Reburial of 3,500-year-old baby
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excavating the chiild
removal
Reburial of the child
The reburial of a 3,500-year-old child:
The rescue archaeology we performed on the location of the proposed enclosure wall for the Abydos monuments site proved the importance of undertaking this operation. I discussed the background in previous blogs. We found considerable material from the Ahmose period circa 1550 B.C. and a kiln which appears to be part of the votive complex. The sum total of our findings will fill in more of the picture of the Ahmose complex and assist future excavation on the site.
In one section of the wall trench we encountered a particularly rich deposit of ceramics. In addition to the ever present beer jugs we excavated some very large pieces of ceramic including intact pieces. We found a variety of pieces including plates, incense burners and stands along with large deposits of sealing mud and actual seals. The location of this deposit is close to a previously identified building that was part of the Pharaoh Ahmose votive complex.
After excavating the final level of ceramics, we swept another couple of centimeters to ensure that we had reached the deposit bottom. It was then that we found it; a skull protruding from the sand underneath the deposit. We had found other bone throughout the trench but that bone was in fragments and appeared predynastic. This was different. The skull was so close the bottom of the votive deposits that is was not unreasonable to surmise that it was a deliberate burial, perhaps as part of the funarery cult that persisted at the site long after Ahmose’s death.
We delayed excavating the skull while we cleaned up work in other areas of the trench. This gave us time to debate the merits of excavating the skull or simply leaving it where it was. In the end we decided to excavate since it was likely that the burial location would be disturbed when the mechanical installation of the wall resumed.
We worked carefully with small brushes to define the outline of the body which emerged intact with the skull. I will never forget the moment when the brush revealed two small feet in close proximity to the skull. It was quickly clear that this was a burial of a child. The child was wrapped in some form of cloth and although not much was left, we took some samples for later analysis. It was not difficult to imagine a family 3,500 years ago burying their young child in this sacred place.
We then discussed what to do with the child. The options were to leave it in place, again running the risk of wall construction disturbing the burial location, removing the child for archaeological study or relocating the child for burial at a safe place. After the expedition leader, Steve Harvey discussed and weighed the options. Then he made the decision to rebury the child in a safe location.
Under the supervision of the kufti, our local work crew slid plastic sheets under the child’s body and with great reverence lifted the child from its initial grave site. Using materials available at the excavation site a secure burial spot was made and child placed in it, hopefully never to be disturbed again.
Posted on: April 23, 2010 | Categories: Archaeology, Egypt
I remember the day well. One of the shining moments of the season, in my opinion. It always amazes me when archeologists (even jokingly) are called grave-robbers. I’ve seen amazing reverence given to discovered remains on excavations. I’m very proud to have been a part of this event and will always think of that child and its family with hope that we honored them.