Cairo — Egypt said Thursday that it has uncovered several 4,300-year-old tombs in Saqqara as it continues a series of discoveries at the ancient burial site.
The tombs date to the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties (2686-2181 BC) of the Old Kingdom, officials said in Saqqara, which is about 19 miles south of Cairo.
Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass, director of the Egyptian excavation team, works at the site of the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, 15 miles southwest of Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 26, 2023.
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, who led the discovery team in the Gisr al-Mudir area of Saqqara, said “12 beautifully carved figures” were found as well as two deeply buried shafts, one of which he described as possibly “the most”. Complete mummies have been found in Egypt to date.”
“The most important tomb is that of Khonumjedef, an overseer of the officials of the pyramid complex of Unas, the last king of the Fifth Dynasty, an overseer of the elite and a priest. The tomb is decorated with scenes of daily life.” Dr. Hawass.
Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass, director of the Egyptian excavation team, speaks during a news conference at the site of Djoser’s Step Pyramid in Saqqara, 15 miles southwest of Cairo, Egypt, January 26, 2023.
Amr Nabil/AP
“The second largest tomb was that of Mary, who held many important titles, such as keeper of secrets and assistant to the great leader of the palace.”
Another tomb contains a handful of figurines of unidentified individuals, including two couples.
Egyptian archaeologists look at recently discovered artifacts at the site of the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, 24 kilometers (15 miles) southwest of Cairo, Egypt, on January 26, 2023.
Amr Nabil/AP
Hawass said the main highlight was the discovery of a 15-metre-deep burial pit where a “large rectangular limestone sarcophagus” was found underneath.
Inside was found the mummy of a man named Hekashepes, he revealed. It is covered with gold leaf.
An Egyptian archaeologist recovers antiquities after announcing a new discovery at Gisr el-Mudir in Saqqara, Giza, Egypt, on January 26, 2023.
Mohammed Abd El Ghani/Reuters
“This mummy may be the oldest and most complete mummy found in Egypt,” Hawass added.
According to inscriptions found on coffins, wooden and stone figurines were also uncovered in the 10-meter-deep pit, as was a stone sarcophagus that included the mummy of a man named Fetek.
Recently discovered artifacts at the site of Djoser’s Step Pyramid in Saqqara, 15 miles southwest of Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 26, 2023.
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Egypt hopes a number of discoveries will help revive its ailing tourism industry, a key source of hard currency.
Extensive excavation efforts at Saqqara in recent years have resulted in several high-profile archaeological discoveries, including A 4,400-year-old tomb was discovered Royal Priesthood in 2018 and its discovery Hundreds of mummified animals And a year later Murthy.
