The Tomb-Chambers of Iurudef: Preliminary Report on the Saqqâra Excavations, 1985

Abstract

The tomb chambers of Iurudef are on two levels, both used for burials of the owner and, doubtless, members of his family. Much skeletal material was found, together with an extensive group of funerary furnishings. Associated with the New Kingdom ceramic material were two fragments of Mycenaean stirrup jars, one dated to LH IIIA, 2-B. The chambers in the upper level were, after firing, reused for multiple burials provisionally dated to the Third Intermediate Period. Evidence of some seventy-five burials, including many children, was found and a large deposit of coffins, decorated and undecorated, was recovered, as well as papyrus coffers and reed mat burials. A few of the coffins are inscribed, mostly in pseudo-hieroglyphs and only one with a personal name. Burial gifts found in the coffins included necklaces, amulets, wooden staves, and a curious wooden sceptre. Preliminary examination of the mummies and skeletal material has yielded evidence of various diseases.