She took wine to his grave

Deep within the confines of Abydos, situated in Egypt's southern province of Sohag about 500 kilometers from Cairo, a joint German-Austrian archaeological mission has made a significant find. The team has uncovered tombs that date back nearly 5,000 years, believed to belong to Queen Meret-Neith, whom some historians consider as potentially the first female pharaoh in recorded history.

One of the most striking elements of the discovery is the hundreds of wine jars found within her tomb. Remarkably, many of these jars still contain remnants of this ancient beverage. The exceptional state of preservation of some jars is notable, with many retaining their original seals intact. More astonishingly, these jars have preserved residues of wine that is approximately 5,000 years old.

Meret-Neith, a significant figure of the First Dynasty around 3000 B.C., remains an enigma to many historians and archaeologists. She was the only woman to have her monumental tomb in Egypt's first royal cemetery in Abydos. According to the excavation project leaders from the University of Vienna, Vienna University of Technology, and Sweden's Lund University, Meret-Neith was "likely the most powerful woman of her time." While there's been speculation that she could be the first female pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, predating Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty, her true identity remains a subject of ongoing research.

The discovery isn't limited to the wine jars. Early stages of the excavation have unveiled a plethora of funerary objects, emphasizing the power and status of Meret-Neith.

In ancient Egyptian civilization, wine wasn't an everyday beverage for everyone. Reserved for the elite, it bore a significant ritualistic component. It was regarded as the tears of Horus, the celestial god and emblem of the fertile region of the Nile Valley. Additionally, wine played a role in the mummification process. While wine delighted the elites, the majority of society primarily consumed beer, a more widely available drink.

Magda Mehdawy, an Egyptian archaeologist specializing in the diet and nutrition of Ancient Egypt, highlights that food and drink choices were clear indicators of social standing. While peasants' diets mainly comprised bread, beer, and vegetables, the affluent indulged in more intricate meals and beverages like wine during festivities and special occasions.

Inscriptions found within the royal tomb suggest that Meret-Neith held significant roles in governance, including overseeing the treasury, further supporting theories of her historical significance. Her funerary complex, including her tomb and those of 41 courtiers and servants, was constructed using mud bricks and timber.

Abydos remains a focal point for archaeologists. Previous missions have unearthed tombs of previously unknown pharaohs and traces of daily life from inhabitants over 5,000 years ago. What is undeniable is that Abydos, with its many yet-to-be-revealed secrets, will continue to be a center of attention in the archaeological world for years to come.