It was the month of December 2018. Archaeologists in Egypt made one of the astonishing archaeological discoveries of 2018. As they described this discovery as “one of a kind in the last decades.” It was the tomb of a high priest.
Location of the site
Archaeologists discovered this tomb in Saqqara. It is located 30 km south of Cairo, the capital of modern Egypt. Saqqara is a very famous historical place in Egypt. Because the Step pyramid is located here. It was the first kind of pyramid constructed in Egypt.
Apart from this, Saqqara is a necropolis site. People of Memphis used to use this place for their burial activities. Memphis was once a capital of ancient Egypt. A great number of burials of ancient Egypt are located here. Thus, this place attracts tourists heavily.
Whom the tomb belonged to?
The tomb belonged to Wahtye. It was the time period of the fifth dynasty of Old Kingdom. He was a high priest or senior official at that time. He seemed to work under the pharaoh Neferirkare. As his tomb is dated back to at least 4400 years ago. This pharaoh ruled between 2500-2300 BCE.
Discovery of the tomb
The Egyptian Archaeological Mission has been working in this area for a long time. So, they made this discovery. Antiquities minister Khaled-al-Anani announced this discovery. Mustafa Abdo led the excavation team.
The condition of the tomb
The Antiquities minister Khaled-al-Anani gave information about the condition of the tomb. It Shows exceptionally well-preserved condition. Because it is completely intact.
The measurement of the tomb is 33 x 9.8 feet. There is another good thing about the tomb. It has not been a victim of robbing.
What was found inside the tomb?
Archaeologists have recovered a number of statues of different sizes & colors. Several scenes decorated the tomb lavishly. These scenes are of mainly the high priest & his family. The scenes also depict different types of activities such as drinking, cooking, construction works etc.
Hieroglyphic inscriptions are also there. So, it revealed more information. Epigraphists recovered the names of his mother & wife. His wife’s name was ‘Nin-Weret-Ptah’. It refers to ‘the greatest of the god Ptah’. Ancient Egyptians venerated Ptah as a creator god. He was also associated with Memphis.
His mother’s name was ‘Merit-Meen’. It refers to ‘the lover of the god Meen’. Ancient Egyptians worshipped Meen as a god of fertility.
The sarcophagus of the owner has not been found yet. There are five hidden shafts inside the tomb. According to the working archeologists, one of these shafts should lead to the coffin of the owner of the tomb.
Tomb statues
Statues were located in the tow levels of the tomb. In the upper level, there are twenty-four statues. In the lower level, there are thirty-one statues. Two types of statues are there. On category falls within life-sized statues. The other one falls within small statues within 3 feet high. All statues are of humans or deities.
Importance of Saqqara in the context of tombs
Saqqara is mainly famous for its Step pyramid. But there are other attractions of Saqqara. These are its tombs. Because ancient Egyptians constructed these tombs to a great extent of fineness. Thus, these tombs reveal significant information about the burial activities of this area in the ancient time.
