Extensive Engraved Ramp Discovered Connecting an Elite Tomb to the Bank of the Nile

A decorated causeway leading to the tomb of a Middle Kingdom Elephantine Island provincial governor has been unearthed at Aswan, Egypt. The causeway is said to be the longest found to date on the western bank of the Nile in Aswan. It is also believed that the discovery may change the history of the Qubbet El-Hawa area.

The discovery of the tomb was announced by Mahmoud Afifi, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department at the Ministry of Antiquities. He explained to Ahram Online that the recently discovered causeway is 133 meters (436.35 ft.) long and connects the tomb of Sarenput I to the Nile bank.

The Nile river at Aswan, Egypt. (Citadelite/CC BY SA 3.0)

While examining the causeway, researchers found beautiful engravings decorating the walls. Afifi explained that one of the most interesting images the team found is a decoration depicting a group of men pulling a bull on the eastern part of the ramp’s northern wall. It portrays an offering to Sarenput I after his death.