April 04, 2022
An Egyptian archaeological team working in the north-western area of the pyramid of King Merenre I in Saqqara has uncovered five beautifully decorated tombs dating to the Old Kingdom and 1st Intermediate Period.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Khaled El-Anani, and the Secretary General, Dr. Mostafa Waziri, who is a special guest on our tours to Egypt.
One of the discovered tombs was built for Eri, a senior government official. A shaft leading to the burial chamber contained walls decorated in scenes of various offering tables, sacred oil pots, and the façade of the palace. The chamber contained a limestone sarcophagus which was found broken.
Another tomb belonged to Pepi Nefhany who was the supervisor of the great-house, priest, and purifier of the house.
Two tombs belonged to women, one of them was a priestess to the goddess Hathor called Petty.
The most impressive tomb belonged to Henu whose titles included overseer and supervisor of the royal house, mayor, hereditary prince, and supervisor of the orchard. The tomb can be reached through a 7-meter shaft that leads to the burial chamber.
Although the analysis of the tombs and its contents is still ongoing, it will surely reveal valuable information about the social and economic lives of the tombs' owners during that historical period.
Marcy Dumolo
