All You Know to Know about Saqqara Tomb's Missing Rare Ancient Limestone Relief

Egyptian authorities have confirmed the disappearance of a rare limestone relief from the tomb of Khentika, located in the Saqqara necropolis southwest of Cairo. 

The announcement was made by Dr. Mohamed Ismail, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, who stated that the case is now under investigation by the Public Prosecution.

The tomb, used as a temporary storage site for artifacts, was reopened after a halt caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It was during this resumed work that the absence of the relief, measuring approximately 40 × 63 cm and dating back to Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty, was discovered. 

The piece had been documented in scientific publications since 1952.

Addressing claims that it had been missing since 2018, Dr. Ismail clarified that the last inspection between 2018 and 2019 reported no loss. 

Its absence was only noted once the archaeological mission returned to the site after the pandemic-related hiatus. 

A committee has been formed to inventory the tomb’s contents and confirm the disappearance.

The case has been formally referred to the Public Prosecution to determine whether theft or other circumstances are involved.

Ismail, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, clarified that the relief is not entirely missing. 

Only a portion of the artifact has disappeared, while the remainder remains in the tomb.

The relief bears rare inscriptions depicting the four seasons, as well as the number of days and months, highlighting the ingenuity of ancient Egyptians in understanding time and the calendar.