A double tomb dating back to the fifth dynasty uncovered at Pyramids of Giza

CAIRO – 4 May 2019: A double tomb for two persons dating back to the first half of the fifth dynasty (2563 - 2423 BC) was uncovered at Pyramids of Giza archaeological area, Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany announced on Saturday May 4.

The newly uncovered tomb was discovered by Egyptian archaeological mission, headed by the General Secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri.

Anany added during a press conference that was held to announce the details of this great discovery that the tomb was reused during the times of the 26th dynasty.

Waziri explained that the excavation work started in August 2018 and 450 cubic meters of sands were removed to reach to the tomb which is part of an ancient dynasty cemetery.

He added that the unearthed tomb is located in the south-eastern part of the pyramids area.

The press conference was attended by renowned archaeologist Zahi Hawass. ‘’ One of the two owners of the tomb is the priest of King Khafra, the whole world is watching this great discovery that dates back to the fifth dynasty’’ Hawass announced during the press conference.

Hawass further added that Egypt contains a large number of discoveries that are not yet revealed, pointing out that what was already discovered is only 30 percent.
The mission discovered inside the tombs some closed coffins, along with a number of archaeological finds belong to the priests.

It is worth mentioning that Egypt Today exclusively revealed on May 3 details about this discovery.

Official sources exclusively told Egypt Today that the newly discovered tomb dates back to the fifth dynasty in the Old Kingdom and contains inscriptions in a good condition.

It is worth mentioning that the Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany perambulated a unique tomb located in Saqqara area on April 13.

The tomb belongs to a man named Khuwy who was one of the nobles living in the era of the fifth dynasty in the Old Kingdom.

Khuwy tomb was discovered by Egyptian mission headed by professor Mohamed Megahed.

The mission uncovered this tomb while documenting the collection of pyramids that belong to King Djedkare Isesi who was the eighth and penultimate ruler of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt in the late 25th century to mid-24th century BC, during the Old Kingdom.

Khuwy's tomb consists of a superstructure with an L-shaped offering room, which was decorated with reliefs. Only the bottom part of this decoration is preserved, as the white limestone blocks of the other parts were re-used in the construction of other buildings.

The design of the north wall and the entrance of the cemetery is simulated from the design of the royal pyramids of the Fifth Dynasty.


This design was first applied inside tombs of individuals, not kings of that period.
That part of the tomb starts with a descending corridor, which leads to a vestibule.

An entrance in its southern wall gives access to a decorated antechamber. Its decoration represents the tomb owner sitting in front of the offering table on the south and north walls. Moreover, an offering list was depicted on the east wall and the palace-façade on the west wall.

Khuwy tomb houses as well another room that contains the remains of a completely destroyed coffin that was made of white limestone. This room was used as a burial chamber.

The Egyptian mission headed by Professor Mohamed Megahed was able to uncover Khuwy’s human remains between the stones, as well as oils and resin remnants used by ancient Egyptians in the embalming.

Anany perambulated Khoy tomb accompanied by 54 foreign ambassadors and representatives.

Veteran Egyptian actress Yousra visited the tomb with Anany and the foreign ambassadors and expressed her strong admiration with this unique tomb.