Saqqara Yields 4,000-Year-Old Tombs of High-Ranking Officials, Revealing Ancient Egyptian Secrets

Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, conducted an inspection on Monday at the Saqqara archaeological site. He reviewed the latest discoveries made by an archaeological mission from the Czech Institute of Egyptology. These findings are part of an ongoing effort to oversee research, excavation, documentation, and restoration activities at Egyptian archaeological sites. The minister's tour focused on the tombs of high-ranking priests of the god Ptah and senior officials from the Old Kingdom.

The inspection included a close look at the tombs of "Sabu" and his son, "Ptah-shepses," both prominent figures during the Old Kingdom. Minister Fathy examined architectural elements and inscriptions unearthed by the mission. Notably, an offering chapel belonging to Sabu’s wife, "Ikht-Nefert," was revealed for the first time. The burial chamber of Ptahshepses was also featured, where a limestone sarcophagus containing his remains was found.

Minister Fathy highlighted the significance of fostering scientific cooperation with foreign missions and specialized research institutions operating in Egypt. He stated that such collaborations are crucial for uncovering more secrets of ancient Egypt and simultaneously enhancing the skills of Egyptian archaeological professionals.

Hesham al-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the mission's work is particularly important because it involves re-excavating tombs that were only partially uncovered in the 19th century, with initial discoveries dating back to 1858-1860.

Miroslav Bárta, head of the Czech archaeological mission, noted that a key discovery is the offering chamber of Ikht-Nefert, Sabu's wife, uncovered for the first time. A false door depicting Ikht-Nefert with her husband and their two sons, Ptah-shepses and Ra-nefer, was also found, offering new insights into the family's dynamics. Bárta added that Sabu's tomb is situated north of his son's and features exterior facades designed to resemble royal palaces. The offering chamber within Sabu's tomb contains well-preserved relief carvings showing Sabu and Ptah-shepses overseeing processions of offering bearers.

Bárta also mentioned the team's success in relocating Ptah-shepses' tomb using satellite imagery and field surveys. This tomb contains an offering chamber and an entrance adorned with reliefs depicting offering-bearer processions and sacrificial slaughter scenes.

Mohamed Abdel-Badei, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, detailed one of the most significant findings from Ptah-shepses' tomb: a burial chamber containing a limestone sarcophagus with the owner's remains. Abdel-Badei stated that Ptah-shepses held high-ranking positions under four kings of the Fifth Dynasty and passed away at over 60 years old, an advanced age for that era. Archaeological studies indicate that Ptah-shepses was the first official outside the royal family to marry an Egyptian princess, Princess Khamerernebty (Kha-maat), daughter of King Userkaf, the founder of the Fifth Dynasty.

Mohamed Megahed, deputy head of the Czech mission, reported that Ptah-shepses' tomb was looted in ancient times, leading to the loss of its jewelry and precious artifacts. However, the mummy's remains were preserved, allowing Egyptian anthropologists to examine and study them.