Families in Ancient Egypt: The Complex Situation of the Aga Khan Necropolis at Aswan

The aim of this presentation concerns the complex situation found inside the tombs of the necropolis of Aga Khan located on the west bank of the Nile, opposite to the modern city of Aswan, in Egypt. The joint mission EIMAWA (Egyptian Italian Mission at west Aswan) has been working on the necropolis since 2018. In particular, this talk is intended to draw attention to two hypogeal tombs, AGH026 and AGH032, dated to the Greco-Roman period and excavated during the 2019 and 2021 campaigns. Tomb AGH026 contains two chambers of different sizes, whereas tomb AGH032 is divided into four different chambers. A distinctive feature of both tombs is the presence of various objects and commingled human remains both mummified and skeletonized. To better understand this complex situation, the archaeological study was combined with anthropological analyses, carried out in situ. Minimum number of individuals were estimated, and biological profiles were drawn up from the osteological remains. In addition, the tombs are also currently being studied through interdisciplinary activities with different specialists to achieve a more comprehensive study. One of the most important findings is the presence of a high number of subadults and their different positions within the tombs. In particular, tomb AGH026 revealed the remains of two children, each placed under the legs of two adult mummies. We explore the possibility that this represents two families laid in the same room. Another possible family was found in the smaller room of the tomb. Tomb AGH032 also shows a heterogeneous situation with the presence of subadults deposited together with adults. This presentation will show how the interdisciplinary investigation in EIMAWA can provide more information on the relationships between the individuals of the Aga Khan necropolis.