Tomb dating back to late Fifth Dynasty uncovered north of Saqqara

The joint Egyptian-Spanish archaeological mission has uncovered a tomb dating back to the late Fifth Dynasty in the Mariette Necropolis north of Saqqara, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Monday.

The tomb, dating back to the reign of King Djedkare Isesi, contains funerary chapels belonging to two high-ranking officials.

The tomb features exceptionally well-preserved scenes and colorful reliefs depicting agricultural activities and processions carrying offerings, many of which still retain their original colors.

The discovery provides valuable new insights into the architecture, art, and administrative life of ancient Egypt during the late Fifth Dynasty.

The tomb consists of a medium-sized platform containing two funerary chapels.

One of them belongs to a person named “Younmin”, who held a number of high positions, including judge, court director, and chief clerk responsible for reviewing petitions and complaints.

The second chamber belongs to his father “Ity”, who held clerical positions related to the management of agricultural lands and offerings.

The mission is working under a joint scientific project between the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain and the Supreme Council of Antiquities, continuing excavation and archaeological research in the area north of Saqqara.

The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Hisham al-Leithy, emphasized the importance of this discovery, stating that it adds new archaeological information about the Saqqara necropolis during the late Fifth Dynasty.

He said that the discovery also sheds further light on the nature of these tombs, their architectural and artistic styles, and the administrative positions held by high-ranking state officials during this era of ancient Egyptian history.