Geneva Egyptologists discovered the amazing falls from the doctor of a pharaoh – rts.ch

Geneva Egyptologists discovered the amazing falls from the doctor of a pharaoh – rts.ch


His name was Tetinebefou, he was a doctor of a pharaoh, but also his pharmacist and his dentist. Egyptologists from the University of Geneva have found its funeral home in Saqqara, south of Cairo. An extremely well -preserved cellar which tells by its thousand details painted the habits and customs of ancient Egypt.

Saqqarah, located about thirty kilometers south of Cairo, is a prestigious necropolis of ancient Egypt, where new treasures are regularly uncovered. In December 2024, it was a unique funeral chamber in the world that archaeologists of a Franco-Swiss mission discovered, because as beautiful as rich in detail.

His co-director Philippe Collombert, professor of Egyptology at the University of Geneva, confirms this Tuesday in the 7:30 pm: “Grabs of this type, we know others. For purely historical, its importance is less . But of this quality, in this state of preservation, with these colors and these engravings, I have never seen this, it is exceptional! “

Doctor, dentist, pharmacist, healing specialist …

The occupant of this sumptuous cellar was quickly identified: “It was by reading the inscriptions on the entrance to the grave that we knew who he was: tetinebefou. His name appears several times, just like his function. He was the dean of doctors of the palace.

The funeral chamber is very rich in detail. [Philippe Collombert]
The funeral chamber is very rich in detail. [Philippe Collombert]

He was the doctor of a king, probably Pépi II, king of life dynasty, who would have lived between 2246 and 2152 before Jesus Christ. And the practitioner treated him according to very precise protocols, explains the Geneva Egyptologist: “We have information on Egyptian medicine, which was very advanced, thanks in particular to papyrus that were found (not by our mission, but Others for a long time), which are medical treaties explaining exactly how we have to practice medicine. “

and magician

But that’s not all: “We also see in the grave that this doctor was as a magician: he will cure both practice, but also by magic formulas. Because magic and medicine, for Egyptians, It’s a bit the same, “says Philippe Collombert.

This vault, which was quickly looted after the burial of the deceased, also tells a lot of the habits and customs of ancient Egypt. As with these vases drawn on the walls, whose painting must recall the texture of the stones used. Or these necklaces where the hieroglyphs of their recipients are barely distinguished, measuring five millimeters high. Or the general decor: “The ceiling seems to be in granite, explains Philippe Collombert. But it is not granite. In fact, this gentleman was someone important, but not rich enough for Having a grave with a granite ceiling.

The ceiling of the granite imitation tomb. [Philippe Collombert]
The ceiling of the granite imitation tomb. [Philippe Collombert]

This fortuitous discovery crowns almost half a century of annual excavations by this Franco-Swiss mission, which hopes even better by the end of the year: access the grave of a very large vizier spotted in the year last, named Ouni. Enough to make an additional dive in this sumptuous time of history.

Olivier Dessibourg/boi

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