Tomb Of A ‘Secret Keeper’, Mummy Covered In Gold Among New Discoveries In Egypt

4,300-year-old tombs belonging to important figures, a mummy covered in gold leaf, and an ancient king’s keeper of secrets were among the discoveries unveiled in Egypt on Thursday. 

These finds date from the fifth and sixth Dynasties of Old Kingdom between 2686-2181 B.C. and were discovered south of Cairo in Saqqara. year-long excavation. Archeologist Zahi Hawassi, a leader in the dig and Egypt’s former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs, announced the discoveries. 

“This mummy may be the oldest and most complete mummy found in Egypt to date,” Hawassi The remains of Hekashepes, a man covered in gold. He Additional That the mummy had remained sealed “just as the ancient Egyptians left it 4,300 years ago.” Hekashepes was discovered in a limestone sarcophagus in a shaft measuring nearly 50 feet. 

Because it was inscribed at top of the sarcophagus, archeologists are familiar with the name. “HqA-Sps,” Hekashepes. Hawassi claimed that this mummy, which is not a royal, is the oldest found in the country. It was also the oldest to be wrapped in gold leaves. CBS News. 

According to Hekashepes, the type of burial Hekashepes received indicates that he was a man of high importance. “Of course, he was important. For someone to make a sarcophagus like this, 15 meters under the ground, he should be a very important man.” According to archeologists, it took them two hours to remove the lid and reveal the historic discovery. 

This picture shows the view from the recently discovered tomb at Saqara, an archaeological site located south of Cairo. It was taken on January 26, 2023. – The vast burial site at the ancient Egyptian capital Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to more than a dozen pyramids, animal graves and ancient Coptic Christian monasteries. Archaeologist Zahi Hawass announced the latest discovery, dating from the fifth and sixth dynasties — around the 25th to the 22nd centuries BC — to reporters at the dig site. (Photo taken by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP).

Located in another tomb was an ancient king’s “secret keeper,” Archeologists agree. According to the former antiquities minister, “the second largest tomb belonged to Meri, who held many important titles, such as keeper of the secrets and assistant of the great leader of the palace.” A “secret keeper” A prestigious title that allowed a senior official to perform religious rituals. France 24. 

However, none of the tombs mentioned were the most important.

“The most important tomb belongs to Khnumdjedef, an inspector of the officials, a supervisor of the nobles, and a priest in the pyramid complex of Unas, the last king of the fifth dynasty,” Hawassi added that it was “decorated with scenes of daily life.”

A third tomb contained a man called Fetek. He was reportedly A writer and judge. 

CBS reports that archeologists found 14 stone statues in a shaft measuring 33 feet, which was in addition to the mummies. Hawassi stated that this find “is the first time in this century that such a large number of statues was found in Saqqara.”