Archaeologists uncovered what they believe to be the “oldest” and “most complete” mummy ever discovered in Egypt.
The 4300-year-old mummy was discovered at the bottom of a 15-metre shaft in a recently uncovered group of fifth and sixth dynasty tombs dating from around 2500-2100 BCE near the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Zahi Hawᴀss, director of the team, told reporters.
The 4300-year-old mummy was discovered near the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The mummy of a man named Hekashepes was in a mortar-sealed limestone sarcophagus.
“This mummy may be the oldest and most complete mummy found in Egypt to date,” Hawᴀss said, adding that it was “the most amazing discovery.”
One of the tombs uncovered belonged to Khnumdjedef, who was a priest, a supervisor of nobles, and an inspector of officials during the reign of Unas, the last pharaoh of the fifth dynasty. It was decorated with scenes of daily life.
Several other “important archaeological discoveries” were made, including tombs belonging to Meri, “keeper of the secrets and ᴀssistant to the great leader of the palace,” Hawᴀss said,
Numerous stone vessels, amulets, tools for daily life, and deity statues were also uncovered.
“This discovery is so important as it connects the kings with the people living around them,” Ali Abu Deshish, another archaeologist on the excavation team, said, according to BBC News.
