In pic: All what you need to know about the one of a kind Khuwy tomb

CAIRO – 13 April 2019: Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany perambulated a unique tomb located in Saqqara area.



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.




Khoy 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.

Anany said that the ministry of Antiquities will announce two new discoveries in Luxor on Wednesday April 17 celebrating International Heritage Day.

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