By: Ali Abu-Dashish
CAIRO, Dec. 15 (SEE)- The Egyptian Archaeological Mission working at the Sacred Animal Necropolis in Saqqara archaeological site succeeded to uncover a fifth Dynasty tomb of the Priest royal Purification during the reign of King Nefer Ir-Ka-Re, named “Wahtye,” Khaled El-Enany, Minister of Antiquities, announced.
He pointed that the tomb is an exceptionally well preserved and painted tomb with walls decorated with colored scenes depicting the owner of the tomb with his mother, wife and family as well as a number of niches with large colored statues of the deceased and his family.
Dr. Mostafa Waziri, General Secretary of Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Head of the excavation mission, explained that the mission was able to reach the facade of the tomb during its second excavation season in November, but was not able to enter as the doors were sealed which need more work, time and efforts. The mission has only announced the discovery of the animals grave.
Excavations continue and after removing all debris away of the tomb’s facade a lintel on top of the tomb’s door was then reveal inscribed with three hieroglyphic lines with the nlame and the different titles of the owner who was the royal purification priest, the supervisor of king Nefer-Ir-Ka-Re and the inspector of the holy boat.
Waziri added that the tomb ‘s walls have several coloured inscriptions showing the name of the wife of the tomb’s owner (Weret Ptah), and many scenes featuring the deceased with his mother (Merit Meen) and his family as well as scenes depicting the fabrication of pottery and wine, offering scenes, musical performances, the sailing of boats, the manufacturing of the funerary furniture and hunting.
Inside the tomb there are 18 niches displaying 24 large coloured statues carved in rock and depicting the owner of the tomb and his family. Meanwhile, the lower part of the tomb contains 26 small niches with about 31 status carved in rock to a yet unidentified person standing or in the scribe position.
“This statue might belong to the deceased or a member of his family,” DR. Waziri said.
On his part Sabry Farag General Director of Saqqara archaeological site said that the general planning of the tomb consists of a rectangular hall about 10 m long from north to south, 3 m width from east to west and about 3 m high and a basement at the end of the tomb.
Dr. Waziri said that the tomb contains five burial shafts, which will be excavated to know what are laying inside during further excavations, in addition to two false doors, one belongs to the deceased and the second to his mother. The announcement event was sponsored by Falcon group.
