Archaeological discovery unveils reign of Queen Meret-Neith in Ancient Egypt

NEW DELHI: In an

excavation

carried out by a team of archaeologists from the University of Vienna, a find has illuminated the significance of

Queen Meret-Neith

's reign, solidifying her status as one of the most influential women in ancient Egypt's history. Unveiled at her tomb in

Abydos

, the discovery includes hundreds of

large wine jars

, some of which remain sealed, along with a multitude of other grave goods, as per the Miami Herald report.
The condition of the wine jars is described as remarkably well-preserved, with the additional discovery of ancient grape seeds inside some of them. Inscriptions found on some of these jars indicate that Queen Meret-Neith held prominent roles in government offices, including responsibilities tied to the

treasury

.
This newfound evidence further bolsters the prevailing hypothesis that Meret-Neith was not only a queen but also the first female pharaoh of ancient Egypt. Aside from the exceptional collection of grave goods at her tomb, Meret-Neith's monument stands as the sole testament to a woman at the primary royal cemetery in Abydos.
The tomb complex itself, constructed from unbaked mud bricks, clay, and wood, is a sprawling site that encompasses 41 burials belonging to the queen's courtiers and servants. The research conducted on these tombs has provided valuable insights, revealing that they were built over several phases across an extended period. This challenges previous beliefs that human sacrifice was a part of royal burials during the first dynasty of ancient Egypt.