[MSN] Tomb Robbers Lead Archeologists to Graves of 3 Royal Dentists.

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Tomb Robbers Lead Archeologists to Graves of 3 Royal Dentists
November 11, 2006
Archeologists in Egypt have uncovered the ancient tombs of three dentists
close to Egypt's oldest pyramid, located just outside Cairo.  The tombs were
found after a group of thieves was caught digging in the area.

After the thieves were captured, archeologists decided to keep digging where
they left off. Buried 10 meters under the sand, they found a burial complex
for three dentists who worked in the service of the pharaoh during Egypt's
Old Kingdom. Archeologists could identify the profession of the deceased as
dentists by the signatory tooth under each hieroglyphic title on the tomb
walls.  The discovery dates the practice of dental hygiene in ancient Egypt
back almost 5,000 years. 

Until now, there has been only one other reference to a dentist in ancient
Egypt. His name was found engraved on a tomb wall, also signed with a tooth.
Egypt's director of antiquities, Zahi Hawass, says the latest discovery is
important because it not only offers greater proof that dentistry was
practiced in pharaonic times, it also indicates the respect the king had for
those who treated him.

Hawass says the dentists' burial next to the king's pyramid indicates they
were being honored for their service.

"I believe the discovery of the cemetery of the dentists is very unique," he
said.  "I don't think like anything like this has been found before. All of
these dentists are buried together in one place. It seems like the king gave
them the privilege to be buried beside him."

The discovery was made in an area known as Saqqara, which is eight
kilometers outside of Cairo.  It is perched high above Cairo on a desert
plateau that stretches for 70 kilometers around the bustling metropolis. It
is the site of Egypt's oldest pyramid, the Step Pyramid.

Because of its many pyramids, Saqqara has been described as a giant
necropolis.  And the sands around the pyramids are believed to be teeming
with artifacts. Egyptologists estimate that only 30 percent of the area has
been explored.

Antiquities Inspector Ashraf Mohi El Din was part of the team that uncovered
the dentists' tombs, as well as the curse on the outside door warning them
not to enter.

"Down there, you can see the crocodile and the snake, and we have
hieroglyphs - RIF ICH ER CHEY HER SHUT MOO," he said.  "It says if you are
going to enter my tomb, the crocodile will attack you, the snake with attack
you. He believed the crocodiles and snakes would be the guardians of his
tomb.  It's like nowadays, you have a dog in your house to protect your
house."

The reliefs on the tomb walls show the chief dentist had interests besides
treating the pharoah.  They show him and his family sailing, playing games,
as well as presenting offerings to the dead.

This time of year archeologists are very busy in Egypt, and excavation of
the just- discovered tombs is at top of their agenda.  The archeologists
hope that they will soon find other artifacts that will give them more
insight into the lives of ancient Egyptians.

source: voa

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