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Unlooted 18th-Dynasty 'Overseer of Stellar Observations' Tomb Found in Saqqara with Indo-Egyptian Trade Papyri

📅 March 10, 2026 📰 Egypt Antiquities News
Unlooted 18th-Dynasty 'Overseer of Stellar Observations' Tomb Found in Saqqara with Indo-Egyptian Trade Papyri

Egyptian authorities have announced the discovery of a pristine, unlooted tomb in the Saqqara Necropolis belonging to a high-ranking official named Hemi-Ra, titled the 'Overseer of Stellar Observations.' The tomb walls are covered in vibrant frescoes depicting the night sky, including star charts that show a striking similarity to early Vedic constellations. A box of papyrus scrolls found near the sarcophagus records trade transactions involving obsidian from the East and exotic woods.

One specific papyrus mentions a merchant guild from the 'Far Eastern Rivers' providing instruments for time-keeping. This suggests that during the 18th Dynasty, there was a significant exchange of astronomical knowledge and specialized tools between the Nile Valley and the Indian subcontinent via early maritime routes.

Original source: Egypt Antiquities News