An unusual pyramid-shaped tomb from the Roman era, featuring an ancient Egyptian vision of the gateway to the underworld, has been discovered in a secluded desert oasis.
The limestone burial monument was found at the Bir al-Shughala necropolis in Egypt’s New Valley. Archaeologists believe it was constructed around 1,700 years ago for a man and his wife.
Fourteen steps descend toward the tomb’s entrance, where the stonework is covered with hieroglyphs, protective incantations and religious scenes.
Among the most remarkable features is a rare illustration of the “Hour of Death,” a section of the Amduat that describes the soul’s passage through the afterlife.
The ancient text presents the sun god Ra’s dangerous 12-hour voyage through the land of the dead, ending with his return and rebirth at dawn.
Because Egyptians believed the deceased would undertake a similar journey, these images represented hope for resurrection, renewal and eternal existence.
“An Egyptian archaeological mission has uncovered a pyramid-shaped limestone tomb dating to the Roman era, dedicated to the burial of a man and his wife,” Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said.
The ministry described the monument as notable for its distinctive architecture, along with the rare inscriptions and funerary writings preserved within it.
The tomb contains a rare depiction of the “Hour of Death” from the Amduat, an ancient Egyptian text devoted to the soul’s journey through the afterlife
The limestone burial monument was uncovered at the Bir al-Shughala necropolis in Egypt’s New Valley
According to ministry experts, the entrance was blocked by a stone bearing magical symbols and an image of a figure believed to represent an official.
A carefully carved slab on the entrance also carries hieroglyphic writing, protective formulas and religious passages intended to safeguard the dead.
Its decoration includes a classic Egyptian cornice, a winged solar disc and ornamental designs inspired by tied bundles of reeds.
Within the structure, archaeologists found a pyramid-shaped funerary monument inscribed with a 19-line elegy written in ancient Greek.
The poem honours a man called Bisichthes, who may have held the position of judge during the Roman period.
The excavation also yielded pottery, a basin used for purification, a table for funeral offerings and a bronze coin bearing the name of Roman Emperor Constantine.
Together, the discoveries reveal how Egyptian, Greek and Roman customs intersected in the oasis during antiquity.
Researchers believe the tomb was intended for members of the local elite, offering valuable insight into how they understood death, burial rituals and the world beyond.
Fourteen steps (left) descend to an entrance decorated with hieroglyphs, protective spells and religious imagery. Additional discoveries (right) include pottery, a purification basin and a funerary offering table
The find demonstrates the lasting influence of ancient Egyptian funerary beliefs, which continued to shape religious life for centuries under Greek and Roman rule.
Instead of disappearing, traditional funerary practices became intertwined with foreign cultural influences, producing a unique mix of Egyptian, Greek and Roman customs that can be seen throughout the tomb.
Bir al-Shughala forms part of the ancient cemetery of Mothis, the principal settlement of Egypt’s Dakhla Oasis during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Now known as Mut, the town was a thriving regional centre and an important hub for communities living deep within the Western Desert.
Excavations led by the Egyptian authorities began there in 2002 and have since uncovered an impressive collection of tombs, revealing a rich variety of burial styles, architectural designs and decorative traditions spanning several centuries.