A burnt ostrich eggshell and other objects;

New discoveries include a flint ibex

A segment from another flint ibex

An American-Egyptian team working on the site of ancient Nekhen -- known in Greek times as Hierakonpolis -- in the area of Kom Al-Ahmar near the Upper Egyptian city of Edfu has found what is believed to be the largest pre-dynastic funerary complex ever found. This major discovery, which dates back to the period identified as Naqada II (c. 3600 BC), is expected to cast more light on the period when Egypt was first developing into a nation.

The complex belonged to one of the early rulers of Nekhen, who undoubtedly also controlled a large portion of Upper Egypt. It was enclosed within a well- preserved wall of wooden posts, and comprised a large rectangular tomb with the earliest known superstructure and a wooden offering table.

Excavations of this important monument began in 2000 under the leadership of the late Barbara Adams, and continued during the last archaeological season from December 2004 to April 2005 under the direction of Renee Friedman.

Although the tomb and its surroundings were severely plundered in antiquity, the excavators have unearthed four bodies in situ on the stone floor at the tomb's western end. The first was found in a flexed position on its left side facing magnetic west; the second was partly extended; while the third and fourth were perpendicular to the others. No grave goods or matting were found with the bodies, which were in a very poor state of preservation.

The position of the bodies suggests that if they are not intrusive later additions, they may belong to sacrificed retainers or prisoners who were buried at the foot end of the grave. Thus they would have been figuratively beneath the feet of the tomb owner, who would have been buried in the eastern part of the grave -- where Adams found several fine grave goods.

On the question of the practice of sacrificing retainers and burying them near their rulers, Zahi Hawass, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) noted that this was a practice during the First Dynasty but was discontinued at the beginning of the Second Dynasty.

While brushing sand off the longer sides of the burial chamber, workers located eight deep holes, four on each side, still bearing the remnants of the ancient wooden posts. Friedman suggests that they could be the remains of the tomb's superstructure, the earliest known in Egypt. Six more post-holes to the east, in two rows, suggest the additional presence of an offering chapel.

A shallow subsidiary tomb found within the enclosure wall of the funerary complex may be a later addition, but is definitely associated with the main tomb. It houses the well-preserved remains of three adults as well as a large quantity of textiles used to wrap and pad the deceased before covering them with another, thicker layer of matting.

At the northeast corner of the complex a deposit of burnt ostrich eggshell was discovered. This was probably a foundation deposit, traditionally linked with the desire to ensure a magical rebirth.

The entrance to the complex appears to have been located on the northeast side, where a gap in the foundation trench is flanked by two sizeable post-holes. Inside one of these were found the bones of two newly-born animals, a sheep and a goat. They were laid in an ashy deposit along with fragments of ritual vessels.

Against the enclosure wall, also in an ashy and burnt deposit, excavators came across a complete figurine of a cow's head skillfully carved in flint. This appears to be the companion of a flint ibex figurine previously found in the same tomb and now exhibited at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Such flint figurines are extremely rare, with only about 50 examples unearthed to date. "The discovery of two fine examples at one site is really a stroke of luck," Hawass says.

The team also unearthed a portion of a wooden handle -- possibly made of ebony -- for a mace head. The excavations produced other interesting finds, among them 46 limestone fragments of Egypt's earliest-known human life-size statue -- other fragments of which were earlier discovered, fragments of two ceramic funerary masks, and a number of fine pots which made it possible to estimate a date for the funerary complex.

The most unusual find of all during the 2003 excavations was a pit grave for the burial of African elephants, which were used for transport during the lifetime of the owner of the complex.

Early analysis dating the funerary complex to the early Naqada II period means that it coincides with the time when this settlement was the largest urban centre anywhere along the Nile. It is estimated to have stretched for about two kilometres along the edge of the floodplain and to have had more than 7,000 residents from all walks of society, ranging from masons and potters to farmers and officials.

The new discovery may reveal conclusively whether ancient Nekhen was a centre for local craft production, a trade centre for exotic goods, or simply an important cult centre for the falcon-god Horus, symbol of the living king.

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/745/hr2.htm

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Originally posted by ausar:

...At the northeast corner of the complex a deposit of burnt ostrich eggshell was discovered. This was probably a foundation deposit, traditionally linked with the desire to ensure a magical rebirth...

...The excavations produced other interesting finds, among them 46 limestone fragments of Egypt's earliest-known human life-size statue -- other fragments of which were earlier discovered, fragments of two ceramic funerary masks, and a number of fine pots which made it possible to estimate a date for the funerary complex.

The most unusual find of all during the 2003 excavations was a pit grave for the burial of African elephants, which were used for transport during the lifetime of the owner of the complex.

Early analysis dating the funerary complex to the early Naqada II period means that it coincides with the time when this settlement was the largest urban centre anywhere along the Nile...

The new discovery may reveal conclusively whether ancient Nekhen was a centre for local craft production, a trade centre for exotic goods, or simply an important cult centre for the falcon-god Horus, symbol of the living king.

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What I find interesting in this article is the animals mentioned. Was it possible that the ostrich and the elephant were common in that part of Africa then, or is this where the 'Land of Punt' comes in? Elephants were also represented, if I recall, on the Saharan Rock art.

The next interesting point made, was that of this Upper Egyptian region, being indicative of the "largest urban center". We've had discussions time and again, in which people insist that Egypt's population has been in the same state as it is now, i.e., no regional population level fluctuations, or phenotypic changes, etc. I wonder what is happening upstairs with such folks!

It would also be interesting to get more details of the "human life-size" statue in question, its approx. age and all.

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Originally posted by ausar:

I would say that really depends on what species of elephant was found.

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Yes, but it still depends on what species of elephant. The article mentioned the elephant was used for transport so I figure it was probably a smaller elephant often used by both Carthigenians and Nubians in military. African elephants from the interior of Africa cannot be domesticated,or even tamed.

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Originally posted by ausar:

Yes, but it still depends on what species of elephant. The article mentioned the elephant was used for transport so I figure it was probably a smaller elephant often used by both Carthigenians and Nubians in military. African elephants from the interior of Africa cannot be domesticated,or even tamed.

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But here is a description of the other types available on the continent:

The world's largest living land mammals are best known for their huge size, unique body parts, social behavior, and longevity.

Physical Description: Two African elephant species are recognized: the larger and more widespread savanna elephant (L. africana), pictured here, and the forest elephant (L. cyclotis), which is smaller, has downward-pointed tusks, and smaller, rounder ears. Some genetic evidence suggests there may be a third species, the west African elephant, intermediate to these two. The animals' trunks, unique among living mammals, are versatile, enabling elephants to manipulate tiny objects or tear down huge tree limbs. Wide, padded feet enable elephants to walk quietly. Large, flappable ears help these huge animals to cool off, although elephants often must retreat to the shade or water during the hottest part of the day.

Size: Male African elephants of the savanna species grow up to 25 feet long, stand up to 11 feet tall and weigh up to 14,000 pounds. Males are usually larger than females.

Geographic Distribution: African elephants live in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, although their range is now broken into patches. Small numbers of forest elephants live in dense equatorial forests of Central Africa from Zaire west to Mauritania, while savanna elephants are far more widespread in drier woodlands and savannas. Savanna elephants are now most common in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa. The suspected third species lives in both savanna and forest in west Africa.

Source: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AfricanSavanna/fact-afelephant.cfm

These are the options now available, in terms of African elephants.

I know about the species of elephants in modern Africa. However, during the pre-dyanstic era a more common elephant would have been a smaller elephant species that went extinct in Northern Africa. These were half the size of elephants in modern Africa. The article mentioned the elephants were used for transport,but this was the only elephant species that could be tamed or domesticated within Africa. All other Elphants cannot be tamed or domesticated in Africa.