Egypt: Archaeologists discovered four tombs of the pharaohs and a mummy

Egypt announced today the discovery of four tombs of pharaohs and a mummy more than 4.000 years old in Saqqara, near Cairo.

In the necropolis of Saqqara, known for the famous step pyramid of the pharaoh Djoser, archaeologists have brought to light these sealed tombs of the 5th and 6th dynasties, from 2.500 to 2.100 BC.

These deep hollows, decorated with colorful scenes from everyday life, were the last abode of Khnumzenedev, the high priest of Pharaoh Unas whose decorated pyramid is nearby, of Meri, the keeper of the king's secrets, Messi, great priest of Pharaoh Pepi I and Fetek, copyist and judge, the well-known Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawas told reporters.

During the excavation, 15 meters underground, archaeologists discovered a limestone sarcophagus "in the exact state that the ancient Egyptians had left it 4.300 years ago," Hawass said.

Opening it up, they discovered a gold-covered mummy, "one of the oldest and best-preserved in Egypt with the exception of the royal mummies," explained the archaeologist, who was wearing his famous Indiana Jones hat as usual.

The necropolis of Saqqara, just over 15 kilometers south of the famous pyramids of Giza, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the Pyramid of Djoser, built around 2.700 BC. by the architect Imhotep, it is considered to be one of the most ancient monuments on the face of the earth.

Egypt has made many big announcements in recent months, mainly in Saqqara but also in Luxor.

The day before yesterday, Tuesday, Cairo announced that it had discovered in this southern Egyptian city, the legendary Thebes of the pharaohs, the ruins of "an entire Roman city" dating from the first centuries after Christ.

Source: RES-EAP