In a remarkable find near the stepped pyramid of Saqqara, approximately 30km south of Cairo, archaeologists have uncovered a mummy dating back around 4,300 years, belonging to the 5th or 6th dynasty of ancient Egypt. The recent discovery is believed to be the oldest and most complete mummy ever found in Egypt.
Zahi Hawass, renowned Egyptologist and former Minister of Antiquities, described it as an unprecedented find. The 4,300-year-old mummy was discovered at the end of a 15-meter-long tunnel inside the burial complex.
The newly discovered mummy has been identified as “Hekashepes,” a male individual. It was placed in a limestone sarcophagus, securely sealed with ancient adhesive materials.
Adjacent to this burial, archaeologists also uncovered the tomb of “Khnumdjedef,” a noble overseer and priest from the reign of Unas, the last pharaoh of the 5th dynasty. The tomb of Khnumdjedef is adorned with depictions illustrating the daily life of ancient Egyptians.
Another tomb belonging to “Meri,” a royal attendant and personal assistant to the pharaoh, was also discovered in the vicinity.
Several ancient statues have been unearthed from these tombs, depicting a man standing alongside his wife and attendants, offering valuable insights into the past.
Egypt hopes that these new archaeological discoveries will contribute to the revival of its tourism industry. Tourism has long been a major source of foreign currency for Egypt, but it has suffered setbacks in recent years due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
