Archaeologists Find Roman Era Tombs

CAIRO (AP) -- Egypt's Antiquities Ministry says that archaeologists have uncovered five tombs from the Roman era, dating back to more than 2,000 years.

Thursday's statement says the discovery was made in a western desert area known as Beir al-Shagala near the Dakhla oasis, southwest of Cairo

The archaeological mission uncovered a range of artefacts, including the remains of a funerary mask, a set of pottery vessels, a clay incenses burner, a small sandstone sphinx and two ostraca, or ink-in-clay pottery shards.

One ostracon bears hieroglyphic texts while the other is scripted in hieratic, a cursive writing system used during pharaonic times.

The ministry says that the tombs, including a pyramid-shaped one and another with a domed ceiling, were built in mud-brick and contain several burial chambers.

(KA)