Egyptologists uncover 4,000-year-old tomb of the 'keeper of the king's secrets' - with a mysterious 'portal to the afterlife'
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Archaeologists have uncovered a 4,000–year–old tomb that belonged to one of ancient Egypt's most powerful officials - with a mysterious 'portal to the afterlife'.
The discovery was made at the Bubasteion Necropolis in Saqqara, one of Egypt's most important archaeological sites.
Hieroglyphs reveal the tomb belonged to a senior official named Sakhnetio–Btah, who lived during the time of the Old Kingdom.
Inscriptions identified him as the 'keeper of the king's secrets', highlighting his privileged access to the pharaoh's inner circle.
Despite the mysterious name, the title probably did not mean guarding hidden treasures or religious mysteries.
Experts believe it referred to a high–ranking official who handled confidential royal documents and decrees on behalf of an Old Kingdom pharaoh.
He also served as a royal chamberlain, a priest of the goddess Maat and supervisor of the royal library.
'The hieroglyphic inscriptions… helped to determine the name of the owner of the cemetery and the number of his titles, including the keeper of royal secrets, which reflect the high status he held in the administrative system of the ancient state,' Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said.
The tomb also includes the remains of a funerary chapel and a false door, which ancient Egyptians believed was a portal to the afterlife
Inscriptions reveal the tomb belonged to the 'keeper of the king's secrets', highlighting his privileged access to the pharaoh's inner circle
The tomb includes the remains of a funerary chapel and a false door – a symbolic niche which the ancient Egyptians believed was a magical threshold between the world of the living and the realm of the dead.
Archaeologists also discovered a complete assemblage of funerary ritual objects including an offering table, an offering slab and a purification basin.
Experts say finding the objects exactly where they were originally placed provides a rare glimpse into Old Kingdom funerary practices.
The dig also uncovered an interconnected network of burial shafts surrounding the tomb.
Inside were numerous human burials and large quantities of painted funerary cartonnage – a colourful papier–mâché–like covering placed over a mummy, often decorated with images of Egyptian gods, hieroglyphics and scenes intended to protect the dead on their journey to the afterlife.
More than 100 ushabti figurines, which were intended to serve the dead in the afterlife, were also recovered.
Among the most spectacular finds were three stone sarcophagi discovered sealed and intact in their original positions.
Archaeologists also found a wooden falcon statue and a wide range of pottery vessels and other artefacts.
Archaeologists also discovered a complete assemblage of funerary ritual objects including an offering table, an offering slab and a purification basin (left). The dig also uncovered an interconnected network of burial shafts surrounding the tomb (right)
Preliminary investigations suggest that some parts of the burial complex were looted by tomb robbers in ancient times.
Despite this, many of the surviving finds remain in remarkably good condition.
Researchers believe the discoveries will help them better understand how the site was reused over different periods of Egyptian history.
Excavations are continuing, with experts convinced that the vast necropolis still has many more secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Saqqara, where the tomb was found, is one of Egypt's most significant archaeological sites.
It is the home of Egypt's oldest pyramid – the step pyramid of Djoser – which was built around 4,700 years ago.
The site also contains thousands of tombs belonging to pharaohs, nobles, priests and high–ranking officials from multiple dynasties.
In recent years archaeologists at Saqqara have uncovered dozens of sealed coffins, extensive animal cemeteries, workshops used for mummification, and richly decorated burial shafts packed with statues and artefacts.
These discoveries have transformed understanding of everyday religious life in ancient Egypt.
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