Egyptian Pyramids Mystery Unveiled: What’s Inside? How Rich Were the Ancient Tombs of Pharaohs?

In 1992, archaeology specialist Howard Carter's team opened and saw the tomb where the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was buried. According to the documentation, the experts saw 'wonderful things.'

Pyramids of Ancient Egypt and Luxurious Artifacts Hidden Inside

Tut's tomb was reportedly filled with vast treasures similar to what we see in pop culture and fiction novels. Among the treasures hidden in the king's chamber were a golden throne, golden sandals, and even a golden death mask modified for Tutankhamun's face. Because of this stupendous trove, anyone might think that all of ancient Egypt's crypts had the same luxury back in their time.

People imagine that the tombs of pharaohs were absurdly rich, but numerous studies dedicated to ancient Egyptian history say otherwise. Despite the massive structures of monuments such as the mysterious pyramid of Giza and other famous tombs of Egypt, experts say that it is likely that the burial objects hidden inside these places were mostly modest compared to the few tombs of dashing pharaohs such as Tutankhamun.

University College London honorary senior researcher Wolfram Grajetzki explained in a Live Science report that the burials carried out in the largest pyramids of Egypt possibly looked more like simple ceremonies than Tutankhamun. Grajetzski worked decades of research over burial customs of Ancient Egypt, as well as the materials that are involved during these events.

Pyramids are an important part of Egyptian heritage. These infrastructures serve as mausoleums for leaders and other special people of the civilization. The utility of pyramids was widespread throughout the generations between the pharaohs Djoser (2630 to 2611 BC) and Ahmose I (1550 BC to 1525 BC). Unlike what most people know, these structures were already plundered thousands of years before the modern age even rediscovered them.

Treasures in Pyramids Might Be Lesser Compared to Tut's, Here's Why

However, a few survived with intact treasures hidden inside; Grajetzki said one of them was the pyramid of the princess Neferuptah who reigned during 1800 BC. Her burial chamber was located in a site of Hawara, just about 100 kilometers south of the city of Cairo.

In 1965, Neferuptah's pyramid was discovered with a set of coffins, pottery, personal luxuries, and a set of royal insignia that identify her meeting with the god of the underworld Osiris.

King Hor (1750 BC) also had similar objects, with his body mummified and the canopic jars around the chamber. Queen Hetepheres, the mother of Great Pyramid builder Khufu, had quite elaborate components, all with beds, chairs, and copper tools.

King Sekhmet (2600 BC) had an unfinished pyramid. This part, located at the lower part of the building, was discovered unrobbed from the wealth it contained despite the pharaoh's remains missing.

The collections from these various tombs suggest that not all royal burials had the same treasures as those found in Tutankhamun's pyramid. Tut's pyramid was also erected in the Valley of Kings, a region far away from the usual burial spot of ancient kings. This region is near Luxor and was utilized for 500 short years during the reign of the New Kingdom.

In an article called "The Heritage of Egypt," Grajetzki explained that the other royals were not poorer than the popular pharaoh Tutankhamun but were buried in a manner that was older compared to the modern customs that influenced the pyramid of Tut.

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