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'Cikai Korran came here and saw': Visitors from India graffitied dozens of Egyptian tombs 2,000 years ago
- Researchers identify about 30 inscriptions in Indian languages in six tombs of the Valley of the Kings, dating to the first–third century A.D.
- The graffiti includes multiple inscriptions by Cikai Korran, who wrote eight inscriptions across several tombs.
- Inscriptions were found in Old Tamil and other Indian languages, dated to the first to third century A.D.
- Scholars say the findings add to evidence of South Asian presence in ancient Egypt during Roman rule.
- The inscriptions were found high on tomb walls, suggesting Korran often placed marks out of reach.
- Researchers dating inscriptions to the 1st–3rd century A.D. place Indian visitors in Egypt during Roman influence.
- Conference findings were presented in Chennai, India, highlighting the South Asian connections.
- Researchers propose Indranandin may have traveled by ship to Berenike on Egypt's Red Sea coast.
- The findings hint at broader Indian presence among ancient traders and visitors in Roman Egypt.
- Scholars emphasize that the inscriptions reveal Indians' interest in Egyptian culture, not just presence.
- Live Science notes the inscriptions were part of a wider pattern of ancient trade and travel across ports like Myos Hormos and Berenike.
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