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- AFP
- Posted on: 17 Dec 2018
Egyptian archaeologists have discovered the tomb of a priest dating back more than 4,400 years in the pyramidal complex of Saqqara, south of the capital, Cairo, authorities said Saturday.
"Today, we announce the latest discovery of the year 2018, it is a new discovery, it is a private tomb," said the Minister of Antiquities, Khaled el-Enany , in front of a panel of guests, including journalists.
"It's exceptionally well preserved, colorful, with sculptures inside, it's owned by a great official priest … (and) is over 4,400 years old," he said.
The tomb belongs to "Wahtye", a high priest who served during the reign of the fifth dynasty of King Neferirkare, announced the Ministry of Antiquities.
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His tomb is decorated with scenes showing the royal priest alongside his mother, his wife and other members of his family, the ministry said in a statement.
It also contains more than a dozen niches and 24 colorful statues of the cleric and members of his family, he added.
In November, archeology officials announced the discovery in Saqqara of seven sarcophagi, sometimes dating back more than 6,000 years, during excavations undertaken in April by the same archaeological mission.
Three of these tombs contained mummified cats and beetles.
The necropolis of Saqqara, south of Cairo, houses the famous pyramid of Djoser, a monument of more than 4,600 years old which dominates the site and the first of the country.
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The tomb, built by the master architect Imhotep for the Pharoah Djoser, originally measured 62 meters (203 feet) high and is considered the oldest building in the world entirely built of stone.
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Grave grave of Egyptthigh priest
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