In the olden days, Egyptians who die are buried in tombs because they believed that life continues even after someone is dead, as long as they were buried properly in their tomb.
Recently, archeologists have unearthed five well-preserved ancient tombs in Saqqara, an acropolis outside Cairo, according to a Reuters report.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities confirmed that the tombs are at least 4,000 years old, dating to the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period. The latter is a dark time in Egypt’s history, as the regime of the Old Kingdom broke down and monuments and artworks were destroyed. The newly discovered tombs are one of the few surviving relics from the period.
The tombs, which were found near the pyramid of King Merenre I, belonged to some of the era’s top officials, including court advisers and priests. In addition to elaborately painted walls, the chambers contained over 20 sarcophagi, toys, wooden boats, masks, and more artifacts.
This most recent find comes just a few months after the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of the tomb of a treasurer of New Kingdom pharaoh Ramses II, also at Saqqara.
The other tombs belonged to members of the royal court, including a woman named Petty who was responsible for the king’s beautification and also the priest of Hathor.
Back in January 2021, Egypt unveiled more ancient treasures found at Saqqara, including more than 50 wooden sarcophagi dating back to the New Kingdom in the 16th to 11th centuries BC.
Later this year, the Egyptian authorities are planning to inaugurate the new Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza plateau after its opening was delayed due to the pandemic.
The discovery also coincides with the government’s “Follow the Sun” campaign on social media, which celebrates Egypt’s archaeological heritage. The country relies heavily on the tourism industry, which has taken a hit over the past two years due to the global pandemic and more recently, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A large number of Egypt’s tourists hail from Russia, Ukraine, and Poland.
