2006年VOA标准英语-Tomb Robbers Lead Archeologists to Graves of 3

By Leslie Boctor
Cairo
11 November 2006

Archeologists in Egypt have uncovered the ancient tombs of three dentists close to Egypt's oldest pyramid, located just outside Cairo.  The tombs were found after a group of thieves was caught digging in the area.

-----

The 4,200-year-old tomb of a dentist who served the nobility of the 5th dynasty, at the Saqarra pyramid complex south of Cairo, Egypt

After the thieves were captured, archeologists decided¹ to keep digging where they left off. Buried 10 meters under the sand, they found a burial complex for three dentists who worked in the service of the pharaoh during Egypt's Old Kingdom. Archeologists could identify the profession of the deceased as dentists by the signatory tooth under each hieroglyphic² title on the tomb walls.  The discovery dates the practice of dental hygiene³ in ancient Egypt back almost 5,000 years.

Until now, there has been only one other reference to a dentist in ancient Egypt. His name was found engraved⁴ on a tomb wall, also signed with a tooth.  Egypt's director of antiquities⁵, Zahi Hawass, says the latest discovery is important because it not only offers greater proof that dentistry was practiced in pharaonic times, it also indicates the respect the king had for those who treated him.

Hawass says the dentists' burial next to the king's pyramid indicates they were being honored for their service.

"I believe the discovery of the cemetery⁶ of the dentists is very unique," he said.  "I don't think like anything like this has been found before. All of these dentists are buried together in one place. It seems like the king gave them the privilege to be buried beside him."

The discovery was made in an area known as Saqqara, which is eight kilometers outside of Cairo.  It is perched high above Cairo on a desert plateau that stretches for 70 kilometers around the bustling⁷ metropolis⁸. It is the site of Egypt's oldest pyramid, the Step Pyramid.

Because of its many pyramids, Saqqara has been described as a giant necropolis.  And the sands around the pyramids are believed to be teeming⁹ with artifacts. Egyptologists estimate that only 30 percent of the area has been explored.

Antiquities Inspector¹⁰ Ashraf Mohi El Din¹¹ was part of the team that uncovered the dentists' tombs, as well as the curse on the outside door warning them not to enter.

"Down there, you can see the crocodile and the snake, and we have hieroglyphs¹² - RIF ICH ER CHEY HER SHUT MOO," he said.  "It says if you are going to enter my tomb, the crocodile will attack you, the snake with attack you. He believed the crocodiles and snakes would be the guardians¹³ of his tomb.  It's like nowadays, you have a dog in your house to protect your house."

The reliefs on the tomb walls show the chief dentist had interests besides treating the pharoah.  They show him and his family sailing, playing games, as well as presenting offerings to the dead.

This time of year archeologists are very busy in Egypt, and excavation¹⁴ of the just- discovered tombs is at top of their agenda.  The archeologists hope that they will soon find other artifacts that will give them more insight into the lives of ancient Egyptians.

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 hieroglyphic   

n.象形文字

参考例句：

• For centuries hieroglyphic word pictures painted on Egyptian ruins were a mystery.几世纪以来，刻划在埃及废墟中的象形文字一直是个谜。
• Dongba is an ancient hieroglyphic language.东巴文是中国一种古老的象形文字。

3 hygiene   

n.健康法，卫生学 （a.hygienic）

参考例句：

• Their course of study includes elementary hygiene and medical theory.他们的课程包括基础卫生学和医疗知识。
• He's going to give us a lecture on public hygiene.他要给我们作关于公共卫生方面的报告。

4 engraved   

v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中）

参考例句：

• The silver cup was engraved with his name. 银杯上刻有他的名字。
• It was prettily engraved with flowers on the back. 此件雕刻精美，背面有花饰图案。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 antiquities   

n.古老( antiquity的名词复数 )；古迹；古人们；古代的风俗习惯

参考例句：

• There is rest and healing in the contemplation of antiquities. 欣赏古物有休息和疗养之功。 来自辞典例句
• Bertha developed a fine enthusiasm for the antiquities of London. 伯沙对伦敦的古迹产生了很大的热情。 来自辞典例句

6 cemetery   

n.坟墓，墓地，坟场

参考例句：

• He was buried in the cemetery.他被葬在公墓。
• His remains were interred in the cemetery.他的遗体葬在墓地。

7 bustling   

adj.喧闹的

参考例句：

• The market was bustling with life. 市场上生机勃勃。
• This district is getting more and more prosperous and bustling. 这一带越来越繁华了。

8 metropolis   

n.首府；大城市

参考例句：

• Shanghai is a metropolis in China.上海是中国的大都市。
• He was dazzled by the gaiety and splendour of the metropolis.大都市的花花世界使他感到眼花缭乱。

9 teeming   

adj.丰富的v.充满( teem的现在分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注

参考例句：

• The rain was teeming down. 大雨倾盆而下。
• the teeming streets of the city 熙熙攘攘的城市街道

10 inspector   

n.检查员，监察员，视察员

参考例句：

• The inspector was interested in everything pertaining to the school.视察员对有关学校的一切都感兴趣。
• The inspector was shining a flashlight onto the tickets.查票员打着手电筒查看车票。

11 din   

n.喧闹声，嘈杂声

参考例句：

• The bustle and din gradually faded to silence as night advanced.随着夜越来越深，喧闹声逐渐沉寂。
• They tried to make themselves heard over the din of the crowd.他们力图让自己的声音盖过人群的喧闹声。

12 hieroglyphs   

n.象形字（如古埃及等所用的）( hieroglyph的名词复数 )；秘密的或另有含意的书写符号

参考例句：

• Hieroglyphs are carved into the walls of the temple. 寺庙的墙壁上刻着象形文字。 来自辞典例句
• This paper discusses the fundamental distinctions between the hieroglyphs andforerunner of writing. 英汉象形文字的比较是建立在象形文字具体内涵的基础上。 来自互联网

13 guardians   

监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者

参考例句：

• Farmers should be guardians of the countryside. 农民应是乡村的保卫者。
• The police are guardians of law and order. 警察是法律和秩序的护卫者。

14 excavation   

n.挖掘，发掘；被挖掘之地

参考例句：

• The bad weather has hung up the work of excavation.天气不好耽误了挖掘工作。
• The excavation exposed some ancient ruins.这次挖掘暴露出一些古遗迹。