Wooden head artifact from 6th dynasty uncovered at Saqqara

CAIRO – 18 October 2017: The French–Swiss archaeological mission in Saqqara uncovered a wooden head of a woman that dates back to the sixth dynasty era.

The head was found during excavation works carried out in Saqqara's archaeological site.

The wooden head is 30 centimetres in length and carries wooden accessories. The head is part of a larger wooden statue according to Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Philip Collombert, head of the French-Swiss mission, added that the head was kept in poor conditions and likely needs a lot of restoration.

Waziri stated that the head may belong to Queen Ankhesenpepi, the mother of King Pepi II.

Queen Ankhensenpepi played a vital role in the history of Egypt as she ruled Egypt after the death of her husband King Pepi I, and kept the throne till her son was fit to rule Egypt.