Flinders Petrie and Margaret Murray excavate Osirion in 1902, discovering massive megalithic architecture. In 1902, Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie noticed a mysterious depression behind the Temple of Seti I at Abydos Petrie assigned Margaret Murray to investigate the site, beginning one of the most physically demanding excavations in Egyptian archaeology The Osirion was buried under approximately 40 feet of loose sand with perfectly vertical walls

In 1902, Sir William Flinders Petrie uncovered a mysterious depression behind Seti I's temple at Abydos and assigned Margaret Murray to investigate, beginning one of archaeology's most physically demanding excavations. The Osirion was buried under 40 feet of loose sand with perfectly vertical walls, requiring workers to essentially mine downward. They uncovered 10 monolithic rose granite columns, each 4 meters high, with roof lintels weighing 60 to 100 tons. Murray concluded in 1904 it was built for the worship of Osiris and celebration of the mysteries.

Key Facts

  • In 1902, Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie noticed a mysterious depression behind the Temple of Seti I at Abydos
  • Petrie assigned Margaret Murray to investigate the site, beginning one of the most physically demanding excavations in Egyptian archaeology
  • The Osirion was buried under approximately 40 feet of loose sand with perfectly vertical walls
  • Workers had to cut straight down, essentially mining a shaft rather than digging a trench
  • Two days of high winds once buried an entire cleared section back up to roof level overnight
  • The excavation uncovered 10 monolithic rose granite columns, each 4 meters high, cut from single blocks of Aswan granite
  • Roof lintels weighing 60 to 100 tons spanned gaps between columns
  • Surrounding walls were made of red sandstone 5 meters thick with 17 small chambers carved into them
  • A subterranean moat surrounded a central raised platform, a stone island in an underground lake
  • Murray concluded in her 1904 publication that the structure was built for the worship of Osiris and celebration of the mysteries

Related site: Osirion — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.

Source: The First Explorers of Egypt's Osirion: Megaliths Buried in the Sand by Luke Caverns