Archaeological Paths - Egypt Royal Tour With dr. Zahi Hawass, dr. Mostafa Waziri and a surprise VIP Guest.

Archaeological Paths

Dr. Zahi Hawass discovers “the oldest mummy ever found”

January 27, 2023

An archaeological mission led by the renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass has discovered a mummy that may be the “oldest and most complete” mummy to date ever found in Egypt.

 

During a special press conference, sponsored by Archaeological Paths, Dr. Hawass announced yesterday many important findings in Saqqara, the most important of which seems to be the discovery of a shaft 15 meters deep.

 

A large rectangular limestone sarcophagus was found at the bottom of this shaft. Thanks to the inscriptions on the top of the sarcophagus, we know the owner’s name is HqA-Sps (Hekashepes). Many stone vessels were found around the sarcophagus.

 

When the sarcophagus was examined, it was found to be completely sealed with mortar, just as the ancient Egyptians had left it 4300 years ago. When the lid was raised, the team found the mummy of a man covered with gold leaf. This mummy may be the oldest and most complete mummy found in Egypt to date.

 

Dr. Hawass also stated that the expedition had found a group of Old Kingdom tombs, indicating that the site comprised a large cemetery. The most important tomb belonged to Khnumdjedef, an inspector of the officials, a supervisor of the nobles, and a priest in the pyramid complex of Unas, the last kind of the fifth dynasty. The tomb is decorated with scenes of daily life.

 

The second largest tomb belonged to Meri, who held many important titles, such as keeper of the secrets and assistant to the great leader of the palace.

 

Also, a tomb for a priest and a group consisting of nine beautiful statues were found: one represents a man and his wife; several are servant statues; and others represent individuals. Unfortunately, the expedition did not find any inscriptions that might identify the owners of these statues. However, several months after the original discovery, the mission found a false door near the site where the statues were discovered. The owner of the false door was named Messi; therefore, Messi might be the owner of the nine statues.

 

The Expedition found another beautiful statue of a standing man, with his wife holding his right leg and his daughter on the other side holding a goose.

 

The expedition also found a shaft about 10m deep. Inside this shaft was found a group of beautiful wooden statues. In addition, the mission discovered three stone statues representing a person named Fetek. Beside these statues was an offering table and a stone sarcophagus that contained his mummy.

 

Dr Mostafa Waziry, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, also announced that the expedition has found a group of unique stone statues dating to the Old Kingdom. Many statues have been found at Saqqara over the past century, but this is the largest group of such objects found in recent years.

 

The expedition yielded many amulets, stone vessels, tools for daily life, and statues of Ptah-Sokar.

 

Join An Evening with Dr. Zahi Hawass to hear first-hand about those historic discoveries and much more – www.zahilectures.com



Written comments

Hello archaeologicalpathscom webmaster Your posts are always well received by the community

Juliana Silvey



To the archaeologicalpathscom administrator Your posts are always well-structured and logical

Nickolas Pridham



My tour with Archaeological Paths in 2021 cannot be surpassed in any way Meeting and speaking with Drs Hawass and Waziry was an experience of a lifetime Seeing Egypt with them was incredible

Sharon Chapman



Just incredible Amazing find

Carol MacNeil



I loved my tour last March with Archaeological Paths with Dr Hawass - and I look forward to his lecture in Kansas City This was the trip of a lifetime and was perfect in every way

Mona Caylor



I love the history of Egypt and follow it as much as I can Thank you for letting me see all the new discoveries

Vivian Hogan



Will be taking my mother to the Grand Lecture Tour for her 80th birthday I am so excited to surprise her with this gift and cannot wait until June

Bruce Hagenbarth



I have been to this area a few years ago Fantastic I feel this is the tip of the iceberg so much more to be learnt Im from Australia

Gary Chinnock



This is fantastic Congratulations

Alison



Absolutely amazing Such ancient artefacts in astonishingly good condition Old Kingdom Mummy is in a perfect state of preservation and the wall paintings are superb I have always considered this era to be more elegant than later ones from the wonderful pyramids to the tasteful grave goods Thank you Dr Zahi Hawass for ensuring so many treasures such as this remain in Egypt which rightly owns them You have shown the world the way to true archaeology and preservation of a countrys artefacts within the country of origin and I clearly remember the diplomatic battles you fought in former years to ensure this happening Only a person with a great deal of conviction and courage could have enabled such a radical for the era change of thinking I am now a senior Australian lady and began my appreciation of the Ancient World when I was about 10 years of age My dream is that one day I shall see with my own eyes the Step Bent and Red Pyramids but acknowledge that shall now never happen Thank you for your dedicated work and the passion of discovery you have given to so many othersBlessingsMrs Dee Byster-Graham

Dee Byster-Graham



Egypt has always fascinated me the treasures the people left behind the amazing talent and work to build the pyramids the writing the paintings the things I have always wanted to see now in my 80s I know I will never be able to see them in person I can still dream of the wonders it holds and I watch and read everything I can to quench my thirst for itThanks to the Dr he is my favorite and I was worried when he attained the age of forced retirement and was happy to see that he is still allowed to share his world with the world

Shaaron Schnurr



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