Old Kingdom Egypt
...arly pre-dynastic periods consisted of simply an oval or rectangular shaped pit-tomb dug into the desert sand, were used by inhabitants of the Nile valley to bury their dead. However, burial practices differed from villages of Upper and Lower Egypt, as the unification had not yet occurred and different conditions experienced, meant that separate burial practices developed. As an example, a site in Lower Egypt, Merimda, situated north of the Faiyum, buried their dead within the village, facing the hearth of their former home. On the other hand, similar burial practices were carried out in Upper Egypt. With greater importance placed on cemeteries and graves goods, whereas in Merimda, pit-tombs contained none, or if so were generally sparse. The Badarian culture of Upper Egypt, at the site El-Mostagedda consisted of oval or rectangular pits, lined with basket or matting. The decease was positioned in circular pit grave on his left side, contracted in a tight arrangement, with his head facing south. Also accompanied and surrounded by personal possessions called grave goods, lined with stone or gravel. Was a typical Upper Egypt pre-dynastic pit-tomb. These grave goods were usually po...