An Egyptian mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has uncovered part of a Greco-Roman necropolis at the site, revealing a diverse range of burial styles that reflect evolving funerary practices across different historical periods.
The excavations brought to light simple pit burials, where bodies were placed directly in the ground, as well as graves lined with mudbrick structures.
Archaeologists also identified burials inside painted plaster coffins and distinctive barrel-shaped pottery coffins—types commonly associated with the Ptolemaic period.
The discovery underscores the significance of Tell Kom Aziza as a multi-layered archaeological site.
According to Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, the site provides more than just funerary evidence, offering a broader picture of how ancient communities lived, adapted, and interacted with their environment over millennia.
Hisham El- Leithy SCA Secretary General explained that preliminary analysis of the human remains revealed notable variation in burial customs.
Researchers observed different orientations of bodies, including north–south and east–west alignments, alongside varied arm positions—ranging from folded and crossed over the pelvis to the classic Osirian pose with arms crossed over the chest.
These differences point to diverse funerary traditions and preparation rituals.
Further study indicates that the Greco-Roman cemetery was established atop earlier settlement layers. Artifacts recovered from the site suggest continuous occupation dating back to the Old Kingdom, followed by the New Kingdom and Late Period, before transitioning into a funerary landscape during later eras.
Among the finds, he continued, were everyday objects such as pottery and stone vessels, bread molds, and multi-purpose tools, as well as ovens and storage jars. Large quantities of animal, bird, and fish remains were also uncovered, providing clues about the diet and daily life of the site’s ancient inhabitants.
One of the most unusual discoveries was the presence of complete burials of wild boars—an extremely rare find in ancient Egyptian funerary contexts.
Experts note that pigs were symbolically linked to the god Set, suggesting the possibility of economic or cultural significance tied to the site during a particular phase of its use.
Archaeologists emphasize that Tell Kom Aziza represents a unique example of a site that transitioned from a settlement hub into a major burial ground.
Ongoing excavations are expected to reveal further details, as researchers continue to piece together the long and complex history of human activity in the area.
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