For the past two years, archaeologists have been working at Saqqara, an archaeological site in Giza, about 32 kilometers south of Cairo. They recently discovered a collection of coffins and mummies that may have belonged to his closest generals and advisers during the reign of King Tutankhamun. Archaeologists have also focused their attention on a nearby pyramid that belonged to Teti, the first king of Egypt’s Sixth Dynasty.

What is known about the findings

During the New Kingdom, Teti was worshiped as a god and therefore people wanted to be buried next to him. However, most of the previously known burials at Saqqara were either Old Kingdom or late. We have now found 22 wells 30 to 60 feet deep, all with New Kingdom tombs.
– said Zahi Hawass, an Egyptologist who worked on the excavations and previously served as Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities.

In these mines, archaeologists found “a giant limestone sarcophagus” and “300 beautiful coffins from the New Kingdom period.”

Hawass points out that no previous New Kingdom burials were known to be common in the area, so this is a completely unique find. there are coffins individual faces, each one is unique. These portraits depict both men and women. In addition, the coffins were decorated with scenes from the Book of the Dead, the names of the deceased and pictures of the Four Sons of Horus, who preserved the organs of the deceased, were carved. When the researchers lifted the lids, they were surprised. mummies are fine even after centuries.

This suggests that mummification reached its peak in the New Kingdom. Some coffins have two lids, and the most amazing coffin to date has a female mask made entirely of pure gold.
– Adds air.

One of the sarcophagi found in the excavation / Photograph: Zahi Hawass

Inside the coffins and shafts of the tombs are also various artifacts, including games such as the ancient game of Senet, shabtas (small figures), statues of the god Sokar, and even a metal ax held by a soldier.

In addition, researchers found a pyramid dedicated to a previously unknown queen. His name was Nate, but that name had never before been found in the historical record.

It’s great to literally rewrite what we know about history by adding a new queen to our record.
– says Zahi Hawass.

Some tombs and ancient artifacts unearthed from the excavation site will be exhibited at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which is scheduled to open next year.