How in ancient Egypt ordinary citizens were buried

Everyone knows about the magnificent tombs of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs. Golden sarcophagi, dozens of slaughtered slaves, expensive utensils, furniture, clothes. In general, everything that a spoiled monarch may need in the afterlife. They also built a pyramid. And how were ordinary Egyptians buried? A recent discovery suggests that whole city cemeteries were created for this.

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Three tombs from the 27th dynasty of Egypt (from 525 to 395 BC) were discovered in the province of Minya in central Egypt south of Cairo. In the first grave, researchers found a burial chamber with four sarcophagi and nine funerary openings. In the second grave there were two burial chambers. One contained two sarcophagi, as well as six graves - five adults and one for children. In another chamber, only parts of the wooden coffin remained. Excavations are currently underway in the area of the third tomb.

Initially, it was assumed that this was a military burial ground. According to archaeologists, if the remains of men aged 15 to 35 were found in tombs, this would indicate the consequences of a military conflict or a big battle. But since not only men were buried here, but also women and children, now scientists are inclined to believe that the tombs found are part of a large urban cemetery system.

Persian Pharaohs

Interestingly, not much is known about the 27th dynasty of Egypt as a whole. It is believed that the last indigenous dynasty of Egyptian kings was the 26th, which lasted until the Persian conquest in 525 BC. The Persian king who defeated the Egyptians, Cambyses II, was proclaimed king of Egypt. From part because of such a turbulent period in history, archaeologists expected to see military burials in tombs.

Even under foreign oppression, Egypt was able to maintain and develop its original culture and science. Even the ancient Greeks came here to study, including the philosopher Plato and the mathematician-astronomer Eudoxus.

Despite attempts at rebellion, the rulers of Persia and their governors managed to retain Egypt for more than a century as part of the Persian Empire. So the 27th dynasty was the first in a series of successive pharaohs-conquerors from other lands. The next newcomer ruler of Egypt after the Persians defeated by him was Alexander the Great.