Subscribe now for full access and no adverts
The Twenty-second Dynasty Libyan king Sheshonq III (c.825-773 BC) may have been buried in the tomb of a predecessor, Osorkon II, according to a new discovery at San al-Hagar (Tanis). The Tomb of Osorkon II was discovered in 1939, but the floor of the tomb had never been completely cleared. Inside a small chamber, buried in a pit at the foot of an uninscribed sarcophagus, the French team discovered 225 shabtis inscribed for Sheshonq III. This suggests the sarcophagus probably belonged to this king, but it is not yet known if this was Sheshonq’s original burial, or if his funerary goods were moved there at a later time. The team hope that work on newly uncovered inscriptions in the northern part of the tomb and further cleaning work will answer that question. The work is part of a comprehensive project to protect the royal tomb, which includes erecting a modern canopy over the structure, reducing salinity, and cleaning the architectural elements inside and outside.
Text: Sarah Griffiths / Image: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
