A 4,000 year old ancient Egyptian tomb filled with the skeletons of 11 individuals, including children, has been discovered in a ground-breaking find.

The multi-generational family cemetery hails from the 12th and 13th Dynasty, as revealed by archaeologists who uncovered the remains of men, women, and children within its confines.

Marking an unprecedented discovery for the Middle Kingdom period, which spanned from 2040 BC to 1630 BC, this is the first find of its kind in the region concerned. The bodies were found placed side by side, heads facing alternating directions-a chilling setup discovered by the South Asasif Conservation Project team.

While natural disasters had ravaged the wooden coffins and cloth bindings, precious artefacts such as figurines and jewellery remained intact through the ages.

Two copper mirrors, one adorned with a lotus-shaped handle and another with an engraving of Hathor, the deity of sky, women, fertility, and love, were also unearthed by the archaeologists, reports .

This monumental discovery transpired adjacent to the Temple of Hatshepsut on the west bank of Luxor's Nile River. Katherine Blakeney, the formidable American lead archaeologist, said: "The unearthing of the first Middle Kingdom tomb in the South Asasif necropolis alters its history, placing South Asasif within the sprawling Theban Middle Kingdom necropolis."

Amongst the deceased, researchers identified five females, two males, and three children, while details about the last member's age and gender remain a mystery.

The discovery was made as restorers attempted to reconstruct the tomb of Karabaskin, a 25th Dynasty mayor of Thebes and fourth priest of Amun, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MTA).

This significant find has reshaped our understanding of South Asasif's history. Previously, it was believed that burials from only the 18th, 22nd, 25th and 26th dynasties of ancient Egypt took place here, spanning from 1550 BC to 525 BC.

The MTA suggests that the graves likely belonged to the top 12 families in the region. Most of the jewellery was discovered amongst the female remains, with the exception of an exquisite necklace found in one of the male tombs.

Comprising 30 amethyst beads and two agate beads encircling a hippopotamus head, the necklace indicates that the family, particularly the man, held high status.

This is supported by the symbolism of the hippopotamus, which was seen as representing the power of the Nile River and was often buried with the deceased to safeguard them in the afterlife.

Hippopotamus figurines were commonly found in Middle Kingdom tombs and were sometimes depicted as the pregnant goddess Taweret, symbolising fertility and protection.

"Such craftsmanship underscores the cultural and artistic sophistication of the Middle Kingdom," Blakeney told Archaeology Magazine. The American team revealed they are gearing up for further digs in the vicinity to uncover more facets of the ancient tomb and illuminate life during the Middle Kingdom period.