Egyptian archaeologists have made a major breakthrough at the Saqqara Necropolis, unearthing a 4,300-year-old tomb believed to belong to Prince Userefre, a little-known son of King Userkaf, founder of Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty. The find is shedding new light on a largely undocumented royal figure and revealing the first-ever pink granite false door discovered in the region.
The announcement was made by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities following extensive excavations at Saqqara, located around 40 kilometres southwest of Cairo. Known for its ancient monuments — including the famous Step Pyramid of King Djoser — Saqqara continues to be a focal point for historical discoveries.
At the heart of the new find is a massive false door carved from pink granite, measuring nearly 4.5 metres high and 1.2 metres wide. Embedded in a stone wall at the end of a corridor-like chamber, the door features hieroglyphic inscriptions and ornamental designs never before seen in tombs at this site.
The inscriptions identify the tomb’s occupant as Prince Userefre, also referred to as Waser Ef Ra. He is described as a hereditary prince, regional governor, priest, minister, and judge — positions that reflect significant authority during the early Fifth Dynasty, which spanned from roughly 2430 to 2300 BCE.
While little has been recorded about Userefre in surviving texts, his father King Userkaf is a well-known figure in Egyptian history, credited with establishing a dynasty that marked a shift in religious and architectural traditions. The discovery of this tomb adds new depth to the royal lineage and administrative structure of ancient Egypt.
Multiple chambers were uncovered within the tomb complex. One room housed an intricately decorated red granite offering table, still intact, with carvings of animals and offerings listed in traditional script. Another chamber revealed a rare statue featuring twelve figures believed to represent King Djoser, his wife, and ten daughters — suggesting the statue may have originally stood near the Step Pyramid before being relocated.
Archaeologists also discovered a black granite statue in another section of the tomb. Standing about 1.2 metres tall, the statue appears to date to a later period, indicating that the tomb was reused in subsequent centuries — a practice not uncommon in ancient Egypt.
Excavation work is ongoing, as researchers continue to explore what the site may still conceal. Saqqara, with its layered history and royal connections, remains a vital source of archaeological discovery and cultural heritage for the African continent.