Ancient Egypt tomb discovery reveals 100 tiny figures and untouched sarcophagi

An ancient Egypt tomb discovery at Saqqara has uncovered more than 100 small figurines, three untouched stone sarcophagi and rare burial objects.

CAIRO: Archaeologists in Egypt have made an exciting discovery at the famous Saqqara site, finding an ancient tomb filled with objects that have survived for thousands of years.

The ancient Egypt tomb discovery was made west of the Bubasteion necropolis. The tomb belonged to Sekhentyu-Ptah, a high-ranking official from Egypt’s Old Kingdom who held the title of Royal Chamberlain.

One of the most important finds was a false door inside the tomb chapel that was still in its original place. False doors were commonly used in ancient Egyptian tombs and were connected to beliefs about the journey into the afterlife.

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Archaeologists also found several alabaster objects carrying Sekhentyu-Ptah’s name and title. These included an offering table, a purification basin, an ewer and a disc.

What makes the discovery special is that these objects were found where they were originally placed. This gives archaeologists a clearer picture of how ancient Egyptians prepared tombs and carried out burial rituals during the Old Kingdom.

But there was much more hidden underground.

The team discovered a network of burial shafts connected to the site. Inside, they found human remains, pieces of painted cartonnage, pottery and more than 100 colourful faience ushabti figurines.

These tiny figures had an interesting purpose. Ancient Egyptians placed ushabtis inside tombs because they believed the figures could work for the dead in the afterlife.

The ancient Egypt tomb discovery also revealed three stone sarcophagi that had remained untouched. A wooden falcon statue was found alongside them, adding another unusual object to the collection.

Egyptian authorities say the finds show that this part of Saqqara remained important for burials across different periods of ancient Egyptian history.

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Saqqara has produced many remarkable discoveries over the years. The huge burial area served ancient Memphis and contains tombs, temples, pyramids and other remains covering thousands of years of Egyptian history.

The latest finds could now help researchers understand more about how burial traditions changed over time and why generations of ancient Egyptians continued using this area.

Impact to expect

The discovery could reveal more about how ancient Egyptians buried and honoured their dead. It could also bring fresh global attention to Saqqara and Egypt’s rich archaeological history.