Blackened tomb of 'god of afterlife, reincarnation' discovered in Luxor

Archaeologists have reportedly found the blackened mythical tomb of Osiris, god of afterlife and reincarnation in Luxor.

However, it's not actually a tomb but a symbolic burial site used in rituals to link the god's immortal powers to those of the ruling Pharaohs, News.com.au reported.

Antiquities Minister Mamdouh al-DamAcaty said the 25th Dynasty structure (from about 700BC) at the Al-Gorna necropolis on Luxor's west bank was modelled on a real royal tomb, with multiple shafts and chambers.

Researchers have also unearthed the tomb of a previously unknown queen believed to have been the wife of Pharaoh Neferefre who ruled 4500 years ago, officials in Egypt said last night.

The tomb was discovered in Abu Sir, an Old Kingdom necropolis southwest of Cairo where there are several pyramids dedicated to pharaohs of the Fifth Dynasty, including Neferefre.

Antiquities Minister identified her as Khentakawess, stating that for the first time they have discovered the name of this queen who had been unknown before the discovery of her tomb.

That would make her Khentakawess III, as two previous queens with the same name have already been identified.