Egyptian Burials: From Single Coffin to Mummy Apartment Blocks

Apparently so, even without Instagram to follow the latest trends. A tomb in Thebes, the ancient Egyptian capital, has revealed that burial customs weren't as immutable as once believed. What started as a "reserved spot" often ended up as a real "apartment building" for the deceased.

Archaeologists from the University of Basel excavated tomb TT317, which belonged to a man named Padihorresnet, dating back to around 600 BC. The surprise was finding that the site had been reused multiple times, layer upon layer, for centuries. This suggests a practical, and perhaps even philosophical, evolution in burial.

Initially, Egyptians preferred burying their loved ones in individual coffins, kind of like an assigned parking space. But over time, perhaps due to space or resource issues, they started cutting corners. Padihorresnet's tomb is a prime example: initially for him, then for many others.

This trend of reuse wasn't just about practicality. It reflected social and religious changes, especially during the New Kingdom. Excavations of tomb TT317, located in the Dra Abu el-Naga necropolis in West Thebes, clearly demonstrated this transition. So, even the dead had their real estate crises.

Padihorresnet's tomb is a veritable manual on the evolution of burials. Researchers found several phases of occupation, indicating a transition from exclusive burials to more communal practices. This helps us better understand how ancient Egyptians lived, and died, in different social contexts.

The Swiss team documented that the tomb was first used around 1450 BC, then reopened and intensely reused from 1070 BC onwards. So, next time you think of pharaohs, remember they also had space problems. Who knew cemetery management could be so dynamic?