BEHEIRA PROVINCE — Egyptian archaeologists uncovered human remains and artifacts in a portion of a Greco-Roman cemetery at the Tell Kom Aziza site. The burials were discovered in the Nile Delta in Egypt's northern Beheira province, near the Mediterranean coast. The cemetery dates from approximately 332 B.C. to 395 A.D.

Nevine El-Aref, media adviser to the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, said, "This is a very important discovery because it sheds light on and reveals more details about the site." She added, "It is a unique example that shows the transformation of a settlement hub into a major burial ground spanning different ancient eras." The site contained both individual and collective burials.

The burial practices observed at Tell Kom Aziza varied, including simple pit burials, graves lined with mudbricks, and burials within painted plaster coffins. Burials were oriented along both north-south and east-west axes. Some individuals were buried with their hands folded or crossed over the pelvic region, while others were found in the "Osirian pose" with their arms crossed over the chest. Additional burials had arms extended and aligned alongside the thighs.

Khaled Abdel Ghany Farhat, head of the team, said, "This diversity can be interpreted in several ways: It may reflect social differences among the individuals buried, variations in ritual practices, or a limited development within the same funerary tradition." Archaeologists also discovered the complete skeletal remains of two wild boars at the site. Wild boar remains are a rare find at ancient Egyptian funerary sites, and boars were associated with Seth, a deity linked to chaos and violence in ancient Egyptian mythology.

Mohamed Abdel Badi, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said, "Even though it's not possible yet to determine with certainty whether these remains represent intentional animal burials, remnants of domestic and economic activity, or an element with ritual significance, their presence within this context requires linking the direct archaeological evidence with the cultural and religious significance of the boar in ancient Egypt."

Pottery fragments found at the site date from the Egyptian Old Kingdom, approximately 2686 to 2181 B.C., through the Greco-Roman period. Domestic items recovered included amphorae, burial jars, bread molds, and bread trays. El-Aref said, "Excavation work at the site is still ongoing in order to uncover more secrets, understand the history of the location and its development over time, and put all the puzzle pieces together to decipher patterns of human activity in the area."