Mummies galore: 57 ancient Egyptian tombs discovered in secret underground network

Are you wondering too what mr Hawas is hiding down there...???




Archaeologists have unearthed a labyrinth of rich Egyptian tombs that had been hidden under the ground for thousands of years.

Most of the 57 ancient tombs contained an ornately painted wooden sarcophagus with a mummy inside, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities said.The oldest tombs date back to around 2750 BC during the period of Egypt's first and second dynasties. Twelve of the tombs belong to the 18th dynasty which ruled Egypt from 1550 to 1292 BC.
The discovery throws new light on Egypt's ancient religions, the council said.

Egypt's archaeology chief, Zahi Hawass, said the 18th dynasty mummies are covered in linen decorated with religious texts from the Book of the Dead and scenes featuring ancient Egyptian deities.
The Book comprised a collection of hymns, spells and instructions to allow the deceased to pass through obstacles in the afterlife. One common scene showed the deceased person's heart weighed on a scale against the feather of truth. If their heart was lighter than the feather they were allowed to pass into the afterlife, if not they were devoured by a monstrous chimera.Abdel Rahman El-Aydi, head of the archaeological mission that made the discovery, said some of the tombs are decorated with religious texts that ancient Egyptians believed would help the deceased to cross through the underworld.

Mr El-Aydi said one of the oldest tombs is almost completely intact, with all of its funerary equipment and a wooden sarcophagus containing a mummy wrapped in linen.

Archaeologists also discovered scenes of different ancient Egyptian deities in 31 tombs dating to around 2030 to 1840 BC. These included the falcon-headed Horus, the cow goddess Hathor and the creator deity Amun.

The council said the findings were unearthed at Lahoun, in Fayoum, some 70 miles south of Cairo.

Last year, some 53 stone tombs dating back to various ancient periods were found in the area.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1280801/Ancient-Egyptian-mummies-discovered-Lahoun.html#ixzz0p1zDjDLG

"miami circle"

Property developer Michael Bauman was in for a real surprise when he purchased a plot of land in downtown Miami in 1998. Bauman's plans for the land were seemingly simple: demolish a 1950-era apartment complex and build a luxury condominium in its place.

During a routine archaeological survey of the site, however, hundreds of mysterious holes were discovered in a layer of Oolitic limestone bedrock and Bauman's development plans immediately came to a halt. Through further investigation, twenty-four of the largest holes comprised a perfect circle, 38 feet (12 m) in diameter, and excavation results found a variety of artifacts ranging from human teeth to ancient tools.

Included in the artifacts were pieces of burnt wood which, after being tested for radiocarbon dating, are believed to be 1800-2000 years old. To date, Miami Circle is the only known evidence in the United States of a prehistoric structure built into bedrock. Evidence from this mysterious prehistoric "footprint" predates other known settlements along the East Coast.

The site is believed to have once been occupied by the Tequesta Indians, a local tribe whose known tools matched some of the shark tooth-related artifacts found during excavation. Theorists have suggested that the holes were structural postholes or part of the foundation for a building. Some believe the building was used for ceremonial purposes, as animal bones and unused tools appeared to be offerings.

Among these tools were two axe-heads made from basalt, a hard stone that is not indigenous to Florida. The finding of these tools contradicts the theory that the site was occupied by the Tequesta, however, as the volcanic rock is believed to have been from a location in Macon, Georgia - some 600 miles (970 km) away from the site.

The mysterious origin of the site has led to its nickname as "America's Stonehenge", (though there are a number of sites nicknamed this) and some critics and conspiracy theorists have offered alternative theories. Aliens, Mayans and septic tanks are among some of the suggested origins for the holes.

The State of Florida eventually purchased the land from Baumann after a series of high-profile disputes between Native American groups, contractors, and historic preservation committees. Miami Circle, otherwise known as Brickell Point or the Miami River Circle, was declared a National Historic Landmark in early 2009 and is currently under a 44-year lease agreement with the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. Visitors interested in the history of the Miami Circle can view artifacts on display through the museum's permanent exhibition: "First Arrivals: The Archaeology of Southern Florida."