Spanish archaeologists find 4,400-year-old tomb in Egypt with original colours intact
The mastaba held two funerary chapels, more than 100 ushabti figurines, and sealed sarcophagi that may reveal late Fifth Dynasty burial practices.
- Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a 4,000-year-old tomb belonging to high-ranking official Sekhentiu-Ptah at Saqqara, roughly 20 miles south of Cairo, featuring a false door still standing in its original location.
- Since the 19th century, French archaeologist Auguste Mariette first identified the site; Saqqara served as a major burial ground for ancient Memphis during the Old Kingdom period, though systematic study only began recently.
- In front of the false door, archaeologists discovered a complete set of inscribed alabaster ritual tools, more than 100 faience ushabti figurines believed to serve the deceased in the afterlife, plus a wooden falcon statue and three sealed stone sarcophagi.
- Sekhentiu-Ptah held titles placing him remarkably close to royal power, including Royal Chamberlain and Keeper of the Secrets of Royal Commands; Mohamed Abdel-Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said the intact tools provide valuable information about Old Kingdom funerary rituals.
- The discovery adds to Saqqara's complex history spanning the Old Kingdom through the Roman era, with evidence suggesting the tomb was reused for later burials, while archaeologists believe Sector A could contain additional structures still buried beneath the desert sands.
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The VIII Ibero-American Congress of Egyptology at the UAB, in which the discovery of an unpublished tomb in Saqqara has been announced, brings together directors of Spanish archaeological missions in the country of the Nile
The discovery was made during the expedition's 2026 excavation season in the area known as the Mariette Necropolis, north of the Saqqara archaeological site in Egypt. The post Well-preserved Fifth Dynasty Pharaoh Tomb Discovered Near Saqqara appeared first on in.gr.
Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered an ancient tomb belonging to a "royal keeper of secrets", they announced after excavating in Saqqara. The ornate tomb belonged to an official named Sehenthio-Ptah, who lived during the Old Kingdom, from 2649 to 2150 BC, known for building the pyramids, including those at Giza.
Spanish and Egyptian archaeologists have made a major tomb discovery at the Saqqara necropolis near Cairo. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of a 4,300-year-old tomb. It dates to the Fifth Dynasty, during the reign of Pharaoh Zedkare Izezi (2381-2353 BC). Who owned the tomb The tomb contains two funerary chapels belonging to two high-ranking officials, Yunmen and his father, Ity. It features exceptionally well-p…
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