Egyptologist unveils tombs, sarcophagus in ancient burial ground

World-renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass has unveiled several ancient tombs near the Saqqara necropolis, dating back to the fifth and sixth dynasties of the Old Kingdom, which extends between the years 2686 and 2181 BC, Ministry of Tourism stated on Friday.

One of the uncovered tombs belonged to a priest from the fifth dynasty known as Khnumdjedef, while the other tomb belonged to an official named Meri, a palace official who held the title of “the keeper of the secrets,” the team said.

Hawass said “I put my head inside to see what was inside the sarcophagus: a beautiful mummy of a man completely covered in layers of gold,” adding “this mummy may be the oldest and most complete mummy found in Egypt to date.”

The statement added that wooden and stone statues were also uncovered in another 10-meter-deep shaft, as was a stone sarcophagus that included a mummy of a man called Fetek, according to the inscriptions found on the coffin.

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An Egyptian archaeologist restores antiquities after the announcement of new discoveries in Gisr el-Mudir in Saqqara, in Giza, Egypt. Photo Credit: REUTERS

An Egyptian archeologist restores a recently discovered pottery at the site of the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, Cairo, Egypt. Photo Credit: AP

Egyptian antiquities guarders stand behind recently discovered artifacts at Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, Cairo, Egypt. Photo Credit: AP

Recently discovered artifacts are displayed during a press conference at the site of the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, Cairo, Egypt. Photo Credit: AP