An ancient Egyptian tomb filled with decorative statues and carvings has been unearthed after 4,400 years.
The “one of a kind” discovery was made in the Saqquara pyramid complex near Cairo – and is the final resting place of a high priest.
“Decorative carvings have been found inside this incredible 4,400-year-old tomb in Egypt”
It’s filled with colourful hieroglyphs and statues of pharaohs, with one image depicting the owner, a royal priest named Wahtye, with his mother and wife.
Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani announced the find at the site, which is also home to the famed Step Pyramid.
He said drawings on the tomb’s walls were “exceptionally well-preserved”.
The chamber also contained a total of 45 statues carved in rock.
“It was found in the Saqquara pyramid complex near Cairo”
“The tomb is the final resting place of a royal priest named Wahtye”
“The walls of the tomb are also covered in hieroglyphs”
Archaeologists will start excavating the tomb tomorrow, with more discoveries expected, including the owner’s sarcophagus.
In recent years, Egypt has heavily promoted new archaeological finds to international media and diplomats in the hope of attracting more tourists to the country.
“The colours inside the tomb have survived remarkably well”
“Mostafa Waziri, General Secretary of Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Head of the excavation mission talks inside the newly-discovered tomb”
“A view of statues inside the newly-discovered tomb of ‘Wahtye’, which dates from the rule of King Neferirkare Kakai”
“The artefacts date from the Fifth Dynasty”
“An Egyptian archaeological worker stands inside the tomb of Wahtye”
“Journalists and camera crews were allowed inside the chamber”
“Excavation will start tomorrow – and archaeologists hope to make further discoveries”
“The tomb has remained untouched for almost 4,4000 years, experts say”
source:thesun.co.uk
