cairo egypt on thursday said it uncovered several 4300yearold tombs in saqqara as it continues a series of discoveries in the ancient burial ground the tombs date back to the fifth and sixth dynasties of the old kingdom 26862181 bc officials said in saqqara which lies some 19 miles south of cairo egyptian archaeologist zahi hawass the director of the egyptian excavation team works at the site of the step pyramid of djoser in saqqara 15 miles southwest of cair show more ministry of tourism antiquities egyptologist zahi hawass who led the team that made the discovery in saqqaras gisr almudir area said 12 beautifully carved statues were also found as well as two deep burial shafts one of which includes what he described as possibly the most complete mummy found in egypt to date the most important tomb belongs to khnumdjedef an inspector of the officials a supervisor of the nobles and a priest in the pyramid complex of unas the last king of the fifth dynasty the tomb is decorated with scenes of daily life hawass said egyptian archaeologist zahi hawass the director of the egyptian excavation team speaks during a press conference at the site of the step pyramid of djoser in saqqar show more amr nabilap more egypt discovers 4400yearold priest tomb in exceptional condition the second largest tomb belonged to meri who held many important titles such as keeper of the secrets and assistant of the great leader of the palace another tomb featured a handful of statues of unidentified individuals including two couples egyptian antiquities workers watch recently discovered artifacts at the site of the step pyramid of djoser in saqqara 24 kilometers 15 miles southwest of cairo e show more amr nabilap hawass said the main highlight was the uncovering of a 15meterdeep burial shaft where a large rectangular limestone sarcophagus was found at its bottom the mummy of a man called hekashepes was found inside he revealed it is covered with gold leaf an egyptian archaeologist restores antiquities after the announcement of new discoveries in gisr elmudir in saqqara in giza egypt jan 26 2023 mohamed abd el ghanyreuters more egypt unveils one of a kind discovery of hundreds of statues and mummified animals this mummy may be the oldest and most complete mummy found in egypt to date hawass added wooden and stone statues were also uncovered in another 10meterdeep shaft as was a stone sarcophagus that included a mummy of a man called fetek according to the inscriptions found on the coffin recently discovered artifacts at the site of the step pyramid of djoser in saqqara 15 miles southwest of cairo egypt jan 26 2023 ministry of tourism antiquities egypt hopes a string of discoveries will help revive its ailing tourism industry a key source of hard currency extensive excavation efforts in saqqara in recent years have led to several highprofile archaeological discoveries including the unearthing of a 4400yearold tomb of royal priest wahtye in 2018 and