CAIRO: Archaeologists in Egypt stumbled upon a new discovery dating back to more than 2,500 years ago near Egypt’s famed pyramids at an ancient necropolis south of Cairo.
The discovery which includes a mummification workshop and a shaft, used as a communal burial place, is located at the Saqqara necropolis of Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt. Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its vast necropolis are home to a wide range of temples and tombs as well as the three renowned Giza pyramids.
The latest find, announced at a press conference Saturday, belongs to the Saite-Persian Period, from 664-404 B.C. The site, which lies south of the Unas pyramid, was last excavated more than 100 years ago, in 1900.
In the mummification workshop, an embalmer’s cachette holding a large collection of pottery vessels, bowels and measuring cups were found. Archaeologists believe the findings will reveal more about the oils used in the mummification process in the 26th Dynasty.
“We are in front of a goldmine of information about the chemical composition of these oils,” said Ramadan Hussein, the head of the German-Egyptian mission, at the press conference.
Among the artifacts found were fragments of mummy cartonnages, canopic cylindrical jars and marl clay and faience cups. Many will be displayed in the under-construction Grand Egyptian Museum, the first phase of which is expected to be inaugurated later this year.
Archaeologists also found a gilded silver mask on the face of a mummy in a badly-damaged wooden coffin. The mask, the first to be discovered since 1939, belongs to a priest.
“The finding of this mask could be called a sensation,” Hussein said. “Very few masks of precious metals have been preserved to the present day, because the tombs of most Ancient Egyptian dignitaries were looted in ancient times.”
Down the 30-meter-deep shaft is a host of burial chambers carved into the bedrock lining the sides of two hallways. There lie several mummies, wooden coffins and sarcophagi.
“It’s only the beginning,” added Antiquities Minister Khaled Al-Anani. He told reporters that the sites will likely yield more discoveries after further excavation.
Egypt has gone at great length to revive its vital tourism industry, still reeling from the political turmoil that followed a 2011 popular uprising. The Antiquities Ministry has boosted discoveries in recent years in the hopes of bolstering tourism, a major pillar of foreign currency.
Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop
Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop
Princess Rajwa attends parliament session in Jordan
DUBAI: Saudi-born Jordanian royal Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein attended a ceremony marking the inauguration of the first ordinary session of the 20th Parliament in Amman on Monday, marking her second public appearance since the birth of her first child this summer.
The royal showed off an elegant black ensemble for the occasion, complete with an oversized belt by Dior and pumps by Chloe. The look was finished off with the Goji Mini Bag in Black by Jill Sander.
Princess Rajwa was photographed alongside Queen Rania, who showed off a red look courtesy of Maison Valentino and Altuzarra.
Princess Rajwa made her first public appearance since the birth of Princess Iman bint Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II at a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match in October.
On August 3, 2024, the royal welcomed her first child, Princess Iman, with Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah.
At her birth, Jordan’s King Abdullah posted a tribute to his granddaughter on social media. Translated from Arabic, the post read: "I thank God for giving us our first granddaughter Iman bint Hussein. I congratulate beloved Hussein and Rajwa for their newborn.
“We ask God to raise her well and protect her for her parents. You have lit up our family.”
Princess Rajwa, who celebrated her 30th birthday in April, is the daughter of late Saudi businessman Khalid bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al-Saif, who died in January this year, and his wife, Azza bint Nayef Abdulaziz Ahmad Al-Sudairi.
Flormar seeks to expand Saudi footprint to meet growing demand in beauty market
DUBAI: Skincare and makeup brand Flormar is planning to triple the number of its stores in Saudi Arabia over the next four to five years to meet the demand of a burgeoning and increasingly competitive market.
Established in Milan, Italy, in the late 1950s, the company is now headquartered in Turkiye. Arab News spoke to CEO Matthieu Gomart about why he is so keen to increase the brand’s presence — currently 25 outlets — in the Kingdom.
“The beauty market in the Middle East — and specifically in Saudi Arabia — is quite dynamic,” he explained. “They have double-digit growth, making it one of our most exciting markets.”
Flormar has undergone something of a transformation in recent years, refining its product lines and formulations to appeal to a broader, more discerning audience.
Gomart said the brand’s approach has evolved to focus “on high-quality makeup at affordable prices” that aligned with skincare and ethical beauty trends.
The company’s clean and vegan products, designed to enhance skin health, have been particularly well-received among Saudi consumers, he added, noting an increasing appetite for natural ingredients and skin-friendly formulations.
It is a trend highlighted by panelists at Riyadh’s Hia Hub beauty conference in October. Industry insiders, such as Chalhoub Group president Patrick Chalhoub, told Arab News the under-30 demographic “use skincare products more frequently and are willing to experiment with innovative products, even with brands that are not necessarily very popular.”
With an entire conference dedicated to growing the Kingdom’s skincare market, it is no wonder Flormar has identified it as a target segment.
Gomart said Saudi consumers were also embracing innovations such as “skinification” — adding skincare benefits to makeup products.
To meet this demand, Flormar is adapting its offerings to include sun protection and hydration in its makeup line.
“Saudis have a strong appetite for those nutrients,” he said.
Flormar’s growth includes partnerships with local retailers, distribution through pharmacy chains, and plans to expand its e-commerce footprint.
“We are happy to be contributing to the rise of self-expression in Saudi Arabia,” Gomart added.
Lindsay Lohan stuns in New York wearing Zuhair Murad
DUBAI: Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan has been in New York City this week showing off pieces by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad.
The actress appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in an outfit from the designer’s Resort 2025 ready-to-wear collection which included a black, long-sleeved top with structured shoulders and silver jeweled detailing down one side. The ensemble was completed with a matching black skirt, paired with black heels.
Lohan also attended the premiere of the romantic comedy “Our Little Secret” alongside her husband, Kuwaiti financier Bader Shammas, choosing a black gown from Murad’s Spring/Summer 2025 ready-to-wear collection. The sleeveless dress featured a plunging neckline with two statement crystal-embellished motifs at the midriff.
The flowing skirt incorporated sheer panels and she topped off the look with open-toe black heels and subtle jewelry, with her hair in soft waves.
“Our Little Secret,” due for release on Netflix on Nov. 27, tells the story of Avery (Lohan) who is planning to spend Christmas with her boyfriend’s family. Things take an unexpected turn when she discovers that ex-boyfriend Logan (played by Ian Harding) is also joining the festivities, as it transpires their current partners are siblings. Avery and Logan must navigate the holiday while ensuring their former relationship remains a secret.
Meanwhile, Murad has made headlines elsewhere this week, dressing various other Hollywood celebrities.
Jennifer Lopez, a longtime admirer of his work, attended the 2024 Governors Awards on Sunday in a black and silver dress featuring a sheer bodice, intricate beadwork and a high neckline with layered embellishments as she. The waist was accented with crystal-embellished motifs, and the outfit included a black velvet train.
Last week, over to the premiere of “Wicked” in Los Angeles, Lopez walked the red carpet in a halter gown with gemstone embellishments and side cut-outs from Murad’s Spring/Summer 2024 couture line.
This week, Argentine model and actress Eva De Dominici also opted for a Murad gown at the Los Angeles premiere of her comedy-drama, “The Uninvited.” She wore a silk and suede gown featuring lace cut-outs from the designer’s Fall 2024 ready-to-wear collection.
Arabs cheer on newly crowned Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Theilvig
DUBAI: Arabs around the world congratulated Victoria Kjaer Theilvig who was crowned Miss Universe 2024 on Sunday, becoming the first contestant from Denmark to achieve the honor.
The dancer, entrepreneur, and animal rights activist beat out more than 120 contestants in the pageant's 73rd edition held in Mexico City, two years after she visited the UAE and posed for snaps in Dubai’s desert surroundings on holiday.
“I have been waiting for my whole life for this moment,” she said during the swimsuit round of the pageant.
“No matter where you come from, no matter your past, you can always choose to turn it into your strengths,” she also said on the Miss Universe stage.
X user Asia Alwasity echoed several other commentors who praised Theilvig’s apparent lack of cosmetic surgery. “She deserves it, she is a natural beauty with no cosmetic surgeries done,” she wrote in Arabic.
Another X commentor, @goodluck11974, wrote in Arabic, “Her beauty is wow, her face reminds us of the old natural beauty with no fillers or surgeries.”
Many social media users commented on Theilvig’s “exceptional beauty,” inside and out.
“Beauty is not just about looks, but about a strong, confident personality, and this beauty embodies these in every detail,” wrote X user @alzhrany60092.
“Congratulations to this beauty, she makes history with her exceptional beauty,” wrote X user @zyz51618 in a translated post.
Other social media users called Theilvig as pretty “as a Barbie,” with numerous commenters comparing Theilvig to the iconic doll.
Dressed in a pink glittering gown, the 21-year-old from Soborg was crowned by Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua, in Mexico City on Sunday.
Crafted by Jewelmer, the crown features golden South Sea pearls, the national gem of the Philippines. Named the “Lumiere de l’Infini) tiara, the crown displays a radiant sunburst motif at its heart.
First runner-up was Chidimma Adetshina, a law student representing Nigeria, followed by Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico, Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand, and Ileana Marquez of Venezuela.
An avid traveller, Thielvig seems to enjoy visiting cities across the world — including Dubai in the UAE. In January 2023, she took to Instagram to post a picture of herself posing on a dune buggy in the vast deserts of Dubai. “
Adventure in the desert,” she captioned the post, along with a camel emoji.
‘Fictional Landscapes’ exhibition brings together 28 women artists in Dubai
DUBAI: Set to run until Dec. 15, art exhibition “Fictional Landscapes” features the work of 28 women artists from across the world at Foundry Downtown Dubai in the UAE.
The show brings together creatives from the UAE, Russia, Iran, Armenia, India, Pakistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Iceland, the US and beyond in a bid to explore the commonalities between women’s experiences.
Led by a three-person curatorial team — Nadine Khalil, Alisa Bagdonaite, and Serafima Kostrova — organizers made a point of working with women-led galleries.
The show “offers a platform for voices that have historically been underrepresented, particularly women artists interpreting landscapes through their own cultural lens,” Bagdonaite told Arab News, adding that the project aims to “(amplify) 28 women’s voices in a way that is recognized on a global scale.”
The exhibition features both established and emerging artists, including Anna Afonina, Maryam Ashkanian, Mary Badalian, Anna Fobia, Anna Komarova, Liudmila Konstantinova, Taisia Korotkova, Olya Kroytor, Lilia Li-Mi-Yan and Katherina Sadovsky, Katerina Lukina, Oksana Mas, Almagul Menlibayeva, Irina Nakhova, Lisa Olshanskaya, Alexandra Paperno, Vasilisa Palianina, Lidia Russkova-Hasaya, Diana Shliman, Sofya Skidan, Olga Tatarintsev, Irina Zatulovskaya, and Asia Zaslavskaya well as UAE-based artists Richi Bhatia, Olia Breva, Sophiya Khwaja, Sara Masinaei, and Fatima Uzdenova.
“Despite the varied geographical and socio-political backgrounds of the artists showcased in ‘Fictional Landscapes,’ a shared resonance emerges, creating a cohesive narrative that transcends individual origins,” Bagdonaite said.
Through a range of media, including textile, video, painting, and performance, “Fictional Landscapes” explores how environments extend beyond physical terrains to embody mental and emotional spaces shaped by memory, identity, and migration.
“(We) prioritized diversity in artistic medium and perspective, selecting artists from various regions who engage in both traditional and innovative forms … the artists were not only chosen for their aesthetic contributions but also for their commitment to examining challenging topics like migration, identity, changing landscapes and gender dynamics, all through the lens of womanhood and resilience,” Bagdonaite explained.
“What is so pertinent in ‘Fictional Landscapes’ is that the artists’ works collectively evokes a conversation around mutual discovery and understanding, enabling a richer, more intriguing experience,” she added.
When asked to share a particular piece that resonated with her, Bagdonaite pointed to Alexandra Paperno’s “Canceled Constellations.”
“(It) represents constellations that were once recognized and named but later ‘canceled’ by the International Astronomical Union in 1922. This project speaks to the human tendency to draw boundaries — even in the stars — while also reminding us of what remains beyond our control and unites us all.”
