Wooden coffins and ushabti figurines found in Dahshur

Four anthropoid wooden coffins, three wooden canopic jars, and four ushabti boxes have been unearthed inside an unidentified burial shaft located in the northern area of the Ramesside tomb of Ta in the Dahshur Necropolis, south of Giza plateau.

[One of the coffins found by the Waseda University team]
One of the coffins found by the Waseda University team
Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni announced that this discovery was made by a Japanese mission from the Institute of Egyptology at Waseda University.

Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) said that although these coffins are empty now, due to looting by tomb raiders in antiquity, their original features remain intact.

He continued that preliminary study of these coffins has dated them to the Ramesside Era or the Late Period. The coffins are divided into two sets, each consisting of multiple coffins covered in black resin and decorated with yellow inscriptions. The two sets belong to two persons, previously unknown, called Tutpashu and Iriseraa.

Dr. Sakuji Yoshimura, head of the Japanese mission, said that the first set bears the images of its owner and various ancient Egyptian gods, while the other is decorated more simply.

The names of both persons are written on the canopic jars (image) and ushabti boxes, which contain at least 38 partly broken wooden statuettes.

Yoshimura pointed out that all the objects have been removed to the site galleries for immediate restoration.

The Waseda University mission has uncovered a number of tombs, coffins, burials, and statues since beginning excavation in this area 15 years ago. Some of these objects may currently be seen on tour in Japan, in a special exhibition celebrating Waseda University’s 40th year of archaeological work in Egypt.