A new tomb dating to the late 5th Dynasty has been discoveredin the archaeological site of Saqqara, Egypt, by a joint Spanish-Egyptian archaeological mission conducting the 2026 excavation campaign in the so-called Mariet Necropolis, north of Saqqara. The tomb, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which announced the discovery, dates specifically to the reign of Pharaoh Djedkare Isesi.
The monument consists of a medium-sized mastaba divided into two funerary chapels. The main chapel, located on the northern side, belonged to a man named Yunmen, who held several high-ranking positions in the state administration, including those of judge, court director, and chief scribe responsible for reviewing petitions and complaints. The second chapel, on the other hand, was intended for his father, Iti, who served as a scribe responsible for the administration of agricultural lands and offerings.
The research project is being conducted by the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, as part of a scientific collaboration that continues excavation and archaeological study in the northern area of Saqqara.
According to Hisham El-Leithy, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the discovery provides new data on the Saqqara necropolis during the late Fifth Dynasty and contributes to our understanding of the architectural types and artistic elements of the tombs, as well as the administrative functions performed by high-ranking state officials. The mastaba site was already known from excavations conducted by the French archaeologist Auguste Mariette in the 19th century, but it had never been subjected to archaeological investigation or systematic documentation using a comprehensive scientific methodology.
Josep Serviño Autuori, head of the mission for the University of Barcelona, explained that the two chapels open onto the eastern wall of the mastaba. The excavations have uncovered a façade featuring funerary texts and offering formulas, as well as a depiction of the tomb’s owner in formal attire. The walls of Yunmen’s chapel feature high-quality reliefs depicting scenes of agricultural activities and processions carrying offerings to the tomb. Numerous decorations still retain their original colors.
The southern chapel, which belonged to Iti, includes afalse door and polychrome wall decorations depicting scenes of offerings, most of which have been lost. The mission has completed the excavation and scientific documentation of the two chapels and has launched a program for the maintenance, restoration, and conservation of the architectural and decorative elements uncovered, with the aim of ensuring their long-term preservation. Amr El-Tayeb, general director of the Saqqara archaeological site, highlighted the completion of the conservation work.
 |
| Egypt: A Fifth Dynasty tomb with still-colored reliefs has been rediscovered in Saqqara |
The author of this article: Noemi Capoccia
Originaria di Lecce, classe 1995, ha conseguito la laurea presso l'Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara nel 2021. Le sue passioni sono l'arte antica e l'archeologia. Dal 2024 lavora in Finestre sull'Arte.Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
IT
FR
DE
ES
CN
