This past week has brought a collection of interesting new headlines regarding archeology and anthropology that involve the likes of Egyptian pyramids; new guidelines for those who like to loot archeological sites; and the discovery of a hidden Amazonian tribe.
“Missing” Pyramid Uncovered in Egypt
Recently, Egyptian archaeologists have reported the unveiling of a 4,000-year-old pyramid (classified as “missing”) has taken place. The pyramid was actually discovered by another nearly 200 years ago and then never seen again. Researchers believe that King Menkauhor built the pyramid. He is considered a lesser-known pharaoh who ruled over the land for only 8 years.
Sometime in 1842, a German archaeologist by the name of Karl Richard Lapsius had made mention of finding something in Saqqara that he referred to as number 29. He called it the “Headless Pyramid” because the only thing left of the structure was the base remains. Over time, the desert sands covered his find and no other archeologist has been able to uncover the final resting place of Menkauhor.
Another find that intrigued researchers was the discovery of a section of ceremonial procession road that catered to high priests. In the past, the road served as a place where mummified sacred bulls were worshipped.
As for the pyramid , a mound of sand that measured 25 feet into the air was removed to reveal the base. It took a total of 1 ½ years. When investigating the style of the pyramid, researchers pin the design to the Fifth Dynasty , a period in time that started in 2,465 BC, which then ended in 2,325 BC. This places the construction of this pyramid about two centuries after the completion of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Out of all the finds associated with the pyramid, archaeologists failed to uncover a cartouche, which bears the name of the pharaoh that the site belong to in hieroglyphs. There was no evidence that highlighted who the pyramid actually belonged to. However, when investigating the estimated date of the pyramid , researchers are sure that it belongs to Menkauhor when comparing dates.
Alert: New Museum Rule
New guidelines have been issued by a collection of museum directors, who are on a mission to discourage the act of looting archaeological artifacts. The Association of Art Museum Directors are urging museums to participate in a request to forego the purchase of ancient works of art unless:
· it has been proven that the work was outside of the country when it was found in 1970 or
· was exported from its country of discovery after 1970 in a legal manner.
This will help weed out the objects that are floating around without documentation, which are often assumed stolen or illegally removed from a country and then smuggled at a later date.
Amazon Tribe Sighting
There is a controversy brewing and at the center of the storm is an Amazon tribe that has been recently sighted. Rio de Janeiro reports that fascinating photographs have surfaced, which reveal a tribe of Amazon Indians that have not been previously found. There are only a few tribes that remain in the world that are called ‘lost.’ One of the main concerns that researchers are faced with includes all of the dangers such tribes encounter when outsiders attempt to make contact. The Indians are shown with bow and arrows in their hands and highlight the characteristics of a larger tribe that may have been forced deeper into the forest when their settlement became threatened.
