Relics Dated To Byzantine And Late Period Unearthed In Meir Necropolis In Assiut, Upper Egypt

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - An Egyptian team of archaeologists has discovered a collection of structure relics dated to the Byzantine and Late Period in Meir Necropolis in the Assiut governorate.

Image credit: Egypt's Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities -  via Ahram Online

The remains of the structures were found on two levels, with the upper level consisting of monks' cells with a court and several chambers and the lower level consisting of a collection of burials.

​According to Mostafa Waziry, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, “the discovery highlights the significance of Meir during the Old and Middle Kingdoms as well as the Late Period.” He refers to a Coptic text engraved on one of the walls of the structural remains.

The text, written in black ink, consists of eight lines of prayers to God. Above it, three clay shelves that may have been used to hold the monks’ equipment at the time or manuscripts, writes Ahram Online.

Image credit: Egypt's Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities -  via Ahram Online

Image credit: Egypt's Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities -  via Ahram Online

The burials include a collection of coffins and human skeletons in poor condition, among them the funerary objects of an unidentified lady.

These objects consist of remains of a decorated coffin in poor condition, a funerary mask and collar, clay pots of different shapes and sizes, along with a group of blue and black faience beads and two copper mirrors, said Adel Okasha, head of the Central Archaeological Department for Antiquities in Middle Egypt.

Image credit: Egypt's Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities-  via Ahram Online

The Meir site is located about 50 kilometres northwest of the Upper Egyptian city of Assiut.

Provincial rulers, or nomarchs, were buried in tombs in the hillside. Several of the tombs have been cleared and opened to visitors.

The necropolis has many important rock-cut tombs dating to the sixth and seventh dynasties, painted with coloured scenes depicting daily life including industries and sports with a distinct local style.

Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer