An archaeological discovery dating back 4,500 years in Saqqara

 Dr. Zahi Hawass, the director of the Egyptian excavation team working with the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) at Gisr el-Mudir, Saqqara, announced today that the expedition has made important archaeological discoveries dating to Dynasty 5 and 6 of the Old Kingdom.

Dr. Hawass stated that the expedition found a large cemetery containing a group of Old Kingdom tombs. The most important tomb belonged to Khnum-djed-ef, who was a priest at the pyramid complex of Unas. The second largest tomb belonged to Meri. Another tomb belonged to a priest at the pyramid complex of king Pepi I, probably called Messi, which contained nine beautiful statues.

Dr. Hawass also announced the discovery of a 15m shaft. A large rectangular limestone sarcophagus was found at the bottom of this shaft, belonging to a man called Heka-shepes. The sarcophagus was found intact and contained a mummy covered with gold leaf.

The team also found a shaft about 10m deep, which contained a group of beautiful wooden statues and three stone statues representing a person named Fetek. Beside these statues, it discovered an offering table and a stone sarcophagus that contained his mummy.

Additionally, the mission yielded many amulets, stone vessels, tools for daily life, deity statues, and pottery.