A joint Egyptian archaeological mission, led by the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Heritage and Antiquities and the Supreme Council of Antiquities, has successfully discovered the tomb of Prince Woser-ib-Ra, son of King Userkaf, founder of the Fifth Dynasty.
The tomb was found alongside many important artifacts dating back to the Old Kingdom and the Late Period.
He said the mission had found, for the first time, a group of statues depicting King Djoser, his wife, and his ten daughters. Initial analyses indicate that these statues were initially placed in a room near Djoser's step pyramid and then transferred to the tomb of Prince Woser-ib-Ra during the Late Period.
One of the most notable finds during the discovery was a massive false door made of pink granite, the first of its kind in terms of size and material to be found in Egypt.
The door is 4.5 metres high and 1.15 metres wide, and is inscribed with hieroglyphic texts showing the prince's titles, including "Hereditary Prince", "Ruler of Buto and Nekheb", "Royal Scribe", "Vizir", "Judge", and "Chanting Priest".
Other discoveries include a red granite offering table measuring 92.5 cm in diameter, inscribed with detailed lists of ritual offerings, and a black granite statue of a standing male figure, 1.17 m tall, inscribed with his name and titles. The statue is believed to date back to the Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt, suggesting that the tomb was reused in later periods.
Moreover, a group of 13 seated pink granite statues were also discovered, which are believed to represent family members, including the tomb owner's wives, some headless, and others high in the hierarchy.
On his part, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy praised the discovery, describing it as a milestone in uncovering new layers of Egypt's ancient history.
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