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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

(3) Ministry of Antiquities on Saqqara discovery.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ministry-of-Antiquities/336764893195328

Ministry of Antiquities
Press Office
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Two ancient tombs still containing the remains of their owners were uncovered in Saqara, Declared Dr. Eldamaty today. The first one belongs to “Ankh Ti” and the second to “Sabi”; two priests contemporary to the reign of King Pepi II (2240-2150 B.C) of the 6th Dynasty. The discovery was made, added Eldamaty during the excavation works performed by the IFAO mission (L’Institut Français d’archéologie Orientale) in collaboration with the Ministry of Antiquities at the site of Tabit El-Geish, south of Sakkara.
Director of the French mission, Dr.Vassil Dobrev, clarified that both tombs have many offering scenes to ancient Egyptian Gods, adding that the colors of the scenes are still extraordinarily preserved.
Eldamaty added that the team work succeeded in reaching the burial chambers of the two tombs, and found the remains of the two tomb owners scattered, a matter indicating that both tombs were subject to vandalism and theft during the 7th or 8th Dynasty.
From his side, Head of the Ancient Egyptian Sector, Dr. Yousef Khalifa elucidated that despite of vandalism, the team work discovered some funerary tools beside the skeletons; a number of alabaster jars as well as colored limestone offerings models and pottery were found.
Dr. Vassil Dobrev, said that the upper part of the two tombs was built with mud brick while the burial chambers were cut into the white limestone bedrock indicating that the burial chamber of “Sabi” was found in a 6m. deep shaft while that of “Ankh Ti” was found in a 12m. deep shaft.
General Director of Giza Archaeological Area, Kamal Wahid pointed out that the “Ankh Ti” funerary room was decorated with many scenes representing the ancient Egyptian offerings, particularly the huge jars containing the seven sacred oils essential in the resurrection process. Lists of names and quantities of offerings also appear on the left wall followed by a false door and different forms of offerings (meat, birds, bread, vegetables, roses, milk and beer … etc.)
General Director of Saqara Archaeological Area, ‘Alaa El-Shahat finally added that there is a great similarity between the “Sabi” tomb and the first one for it also has the same offering scenes and lists.
translated by: Eman Hossni
(c) Ministry of Antiquities

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