Archaeologists unearth ancient treasure cache at biblical city connected to Genesis

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Archaeologists have uncovered acache of ancient treasureat the site of Heliopolis, the storied Egyptian city mentioned in the biblical story of Joseph.

The artifacts were found at the Panhesy tomb site in the Matariya archaeological section of Ain Shams, within the Heliopolis necropolis.

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the find on May 31.

ANCIENT ESTATE TIED TO GROUP IN THE BIBLE UNEARTHED WITH ‘FASCINATING’ TREASURES IN ISRAEL

The cemetery was used from Egypt’s Late Period through the Roman era and into the Christian period, though officials did not provide a specific date for the newly discovered cache.

Heliopolis, known in the Bible as “On,” makes multiple appearances in Genesis, the Book of Jeremiah andthe Book of Ezekiel.

Split image of Joseph depiction, ancient earrings

Archaeologists uncovered a cache of artifacts at Egypt’s ancient city of Heliopolis, a site linked to the biblical story of Joseph, who is depicted at left.(Hulton Archive/Getty Images;Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via Facebook)

Genesis 41:45 notes that Joseph’s wife, Asenath, was the daughter of Potipherah, a priest of the city.

The cache, found beneath a burial structure containing human remains, included five pairs ofyellow-colored metal earringsthat archaeologists believe may be made of gold.

Pictures released by officials show the earrings along with carved scarabs and other small artifacts, as well as cosmetic containers and a copper mirror.

Archaeologists uncovered two alabaster kohl containers with traces of ancient eye makeup and a third kohl container crafted from black obsidian.

Split image of ancient treasure found at site

Researchers recovered earrings, scarabs, cosmetic containers and other artifacts from the ancient burial site.(Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via Facebook)

Excavators also found four stones, two of which are believed to be agate, a semi-precious gemstone that was widely used in the ancient world.

Officials noted that the cache was the “first nearly complete funerary assemblage ever discovered in the area.”

Depiction of Joseph and his brothers in the Bible

Biblical tradition connects Heliopolis to Joseph through Asenath, the daughter of a priest from the city.(Art Images via Getty Images)

The discovery “builds upon earlier findings at the site during the current excavation season, including mudbrick and limestone funerary structures and two coffins found in fragmented condition,” said the tourism ministry.

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“The Panhesy cemetery is particularly significant because it served as a burial ground for prominent individuals across multiple eras, from Egypt’s Late Period through the Roman era and into the Christian period,” the statement said.

The discovery is the latest in a series ofarchaeological finds across Egypt.

Scarab amulets and a copper mirror were among the artifacts recovered from the Panhesy cemetery in Heliopolis, where archaeologists uncovered what officials described as the area’s first nearly complete funerary assemblage.(Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via Facebook)

Earlier this spring, officials announced the discovery of afragment of Homer’s “Iliad”atop a mummy in a Roman-era tomb in Al Bahnasa.

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Before that, archaeologists uncoveredeight rare papyrus scrollsbelieved to contain writings not read in roughly 3,000 years.