A joint French-Swiss archaeological team has discovered a 4,000-year-old mastaba tomb at the Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, shedding new light on life in Egypt’s Old Kingdom, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The rectangular mastaba, a traditional tomb structure of ancient Egypt with a flat roof and sloping sides, belonged to a royal physician who served during the reign of Pepy II (circa 2278–2184 BC), the last ruler of Egypt’s Sixth Dynasty.
“This discovery enriches our understanding of the Old Kingdom,” said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. “The well-preserved inscriptions and drawings on the tomb’s walls reveal intricate details about the daily lives and professions of individuals from this era.”
While preliminary research suggests the tomb may have been looted in antiquity, many of its key features remain intact. The carved and painted inscriptions offer rare insights into the life and status of the physician, whose identity and title were also revealed through inscriptions on a sarcophagus found inside the tomb.
The Saqqara site, part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, is one of Egypt’s most significant archaeological zones. This latest discovery adds to its rich history, offering a glimpse into the twilight years of the Old Kingdom, a period marked by both prosperity and decline.
Further studies are expected to deepen understanding of the tomb’s significance and its role in ancient Egypt’s cultural and professional landscape.