Egypt, extraordinary discovery in Saqqara: 4,400-year-old intact tomb resurfaces

In Egypt, a discovery of extraordinary importance has been announced in the past few hours: the Ministry of Antiquities has in fact released the news of the discovery, in the locality of Saqqara, of a tomb dating back to the period of the Fifth Dynasty (4,400 years ago), which preserves at least fifty-five statues and which, according to Minister Khaled El-Enany, “would be exceptionally well preserved.” He added that “this is the most beautiful tomb discovered this year.” The tomb was reportedly built for a priest named “Wahtye,” who bore the title “inspector of the sacred boat,” a high religious title at the time. Wahtye lived during the time of Pharaoh Neferirkare, whose reign lasted from about 2446 B.C. to 2438 B.C. (Neferirkare’s pyramid is located about three kilometers from Saqqara). In the decorations, the priest appears in several scenes accompanied by his mother Merit Meen, his wife Nin Winit Ptah (both identified by the hieroglyphs accompanying the works) and other relatives, while attending religious rituals.

These are colorful sculptures, which have preserved their hues almost intact, and the same goes for the wall decorations, where we see ancient Egyptians busy in a variety of activities (we see them working, cooking, eating, building, praying). In addition, said Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, there would be five more burials to explore. The statues, some life-size and some smaller (about one meter in height), all represent deities or mortals and are arranged on two levels: there are twenty-four statues on the upper level and thirty-one on the lower level.

Saqqara archaeological site director Sabry Farag explained that the tomb’s main room measures ten meters long by three meters wide. Meanwhile, the excavations are moving forward: it is now to be expected that the study of the sculptures and numerous paintings will bring new insights into ancient Egypt.

Pictured is the newly discovered tomb. Ph. Credit Ministry of Antiquities of Egypt

Egypt, extraordinary discovery in Saqqara: 4,400-year-old intact tomb resurfaces

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.