New archaeological discovery in Saqqara to be announced soon

CAIRO – 14 September 2021: The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is preparing to announce a new archaeological discovery made by the Egyptian mission working in the Saqqara antiquities area.

Sources within the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities confirmed that the new discovery will be different from the discoveries that have been recently announced, and will be the focus of the world's attention during the coming period.

It is noteworthy that Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Enani inaugurated on September 13 the southern tomb of King Djoser in Saqqara, after the completion of the restoration work that began in 2006.

Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mustafa Waziri explained that the southern tomb of King Djoser is located in the southern corner of his funerary complex in the Saqqara antiquities area. It consists of an upper part, which is a terrace made of limestone and has a frieze decorated with cobra snakes; and a lower part that is carved into the rock at a depth of about 30 meters. It can be reached by a stone staircase that leads to a door carved in the rock as well. 

The entrance corridor has a stone staircase that ends in the cemetery's door, which in turn leads to the internal corridors leading to the tomb spaces and the container for frescoes decorated with blue faience.

Engineer Hisham Samir indicated that the cemetery restoration project began in 2006, and included engineering, geotechnical, geo-environmental and archaeological studies of the cemetery. The restoration process also included  strengthening the walls and ceilings, removing cracks and installing faience tiles.

The granite sarcophagus at the bottom of the burial well was reassembled and restored, and the cemetery was rehabilitated for visits by paving the floors, setting a lighting system, and installing a ladder leading to the well and the cemetery.