For the first time ever , archeologists have excavate a 4000 - year old Egyptian funeral garden , where ancient worshipers grew plants believed to aid the deceased in the afterlife .
Interestingly , archaeologist have long had their hunch that " funerary garden " exist due to ancient Egyptian artwork render them , but none had been found , until now .
“ We lie with of the potential existence of these gardens since they appear in illustrations both at the entrances to grave as well as on tomb wall , where Egyptians would depict how they desire their funerals to be , ” confidential information researcher Dr Jose Manuel Galán from the Spanish National Research Council ( SNRC ) say ina statement . “This is the first metre that a physical garden has ever been find , and it is , therefore , the first time that archeology can confirm what had been deduced from iconography . ”
The garden was see on the Dra Abu el - Naga mound in Luxor ( once upon a clip , Thebes ) as part of the Djehuty Project , a 16 - twelvemonth - farseeing excavation led by the SNRC . On top of the many discovery over the years , they also recently discovered a small mud - brick chapel nearby the gardens , which dates to around 3,800 year ago .
illustration outside of the grave show the gridded garden . Spanish National Research Council ( CSIC ) .
The 3 meters by 2 meters ( 9.8 feet by 6.5 feet ) gridded court was discovered at the entrance of a John Rock - cut tomb date stamp back from the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom , circa 2000 BCE . The investigator consider the grids were each small seam for a variety of plants , flowers , and little Tree . Ancient Egyptian culture assort sure plants with other facets of life . For example , palm , sycamore , and Persea Tree were commonly associate with Resurrection of Christ and death . Lettuce was also commonly associated with fertility and spirit , so many believed it could bring back the dead .
" The works grown there would have had a symbolic signification and may have played a role in funerary rituals . Therefore , the garden will also cater information about religious beliefs and practices as well as the civilisation and society at the prison term of the Twelfth Dynasty when Thebes became the capital of the unified realm of Upper and low-down Egypt for the first time , ” Galán explained .
“ Now we must waitress to see what plant we can describe by analyze the seeds we have collect . It is a spectacular and quite unique find that opens up multiple avenues of inquiry . "
How the site looks now . Spanish National Research Council ( CSIC ) .
