CAIRO, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Egyptologists have uncovered a Pharaonic tomb close to the capital Cairo containing what stands out as the oldest and “most full” mummy but to be found within the nation, the excavation group chief mentioned on Thursday.
The 4,300-year-old mummy was discovered on the backside of a 15-metre shaft in a just lately uncovered group of fifth and sixth dynasty tombs close to the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Zahi Hawass, director of the group, informed reporters.
The mother, of a person named Hekashepes, was in a limestone sarcophagus that had been sealed in mortar.
“This mummy stands out as the oldest and most full mummy present in Egypt so far,” Hawass, considered one of Egypt’s former ministers of antiquities, mentioned in an announcement.
Amongst different tombs discovered was one belonging to Khnumdjedef, an inspector of officers, a supervisor of nobles and a priest in the course of the reign of Unas, final pharaoh of the fifth dynasty. It was embellished with scenes of each day life.
One other tomb belonged to Meri, “keeper of the secrets and techniques and assistant to the good chief of the palace”.
Quite a few statues had been discovered among the many tombs, together with one representing a person and his spouse and a number of other servants, the assertion mentioned.
Reporting by Patrick Werr; Modifying by Nick Macfie
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