Archaeologists excavating the tomb of Jifai-Hapi, a governor of Egypt’s Asyut region during the Middle Kingdom, have discovered the burial site of his daughter, Edi.

The find, announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on October 2, 2024, revealed a burial chamber located about 50 feet down, containing two intricately painted coffins, one inside the other.

The larger coffin measured approximately 8.5 feet, while the smaller one was around 7.5 feet. The excavation was conducted by the University of Sohag and the Free University of Berlin.

Despite signs of ancient theft, skeletal remains were found, indicating Edi died before age 40 and had a congenital foot defect, Fox News has reported.

This discovery contributes valuable insights into the Middle Kingdom, a period often overshadowed by the earlier Old Kingdom and later New Kingdom. Ongoing research aims to uncover more about the lives of Jifai-Hapi and Edi.

Written by B.C. Begley