Egyptologists have discovered a royal tomb near the capital Cairo that may contain the oldest and most complete mummy ever discovered in Egypt, according to the team’s coordinator of the archaeological dig, renowned Dr. Zahi Hawass.
Hawass told reporters Thursday that the mummy, believed to be 4,300 years old, was found at the bottom of a 15-meter-deep mine that was discovered in a group of tombs recently discovered near the Pyramid of Djoser near Saqqara.
The mummy of a man who called himself Hekashepes was placed in a limestone sarcophagus sealed with mortar.
“This mummy may be the oldest and most complete mummy discovered in Egypt so far,” said Hawass, a former Egyptian minister of antiquities who is known worldwide for his numerous appearances on Discovery Channel documentaries.
Among the other tombs discovered was one belonging to Khnumjedef, a high-ranking priest and official during the reign of Unas, the last pharaoh of Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty (2498 BC – 2345 BC).
PHOTO: Khaled Desouki / AFP / Profimedia Images
His tomb was decorated with scenes from everyday life.
New discoveries of Egyptian archaeologists
Another tomb belonged to Mary, “the keeper of secrets and assistant to the great chief of the palace.”
Researchers also discovered numerous statues in the tombs, including one representing a man with his wife and several servants.
PHOTO: Khaled Desouki / AFP / Profimedia Images
Egyptologists have not yet published photos of the now discovered mummy.
The new discovery comes after Egyptian authorities in mid-January announced the discovery of yet another ancient tomb believed to belong to a royal wife from Egypt’s 18th dynasty, which included Akhenaten and Tutankhamun nearly 3,500 years ago.
This royal tomb was discovered by Egyptian and British archaeologists on the west bank of the Nile, where the famous “Valley of the Kings” is located near the city of Luxor.
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Source: Hot News
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