A newly discovered tomb at Egypt’s Saqqara necropolis has revealed the burial place of a senior Old Kingdom official, along with a wider network of burials. An Egyptian archaeological mission found the tomb of Sekhentyu-Ptah during its first excavation season in the west of the Bubasteion. The site contains a funerary chapel, a false door, alabaster objects bearing inscriptions, three sealed stone sarcophagi and more than 100 faience ushabti figurines. According to the Egypt State Information Service, the inscriptions identify Sekhentyu-Ptah and list several senior roles he held in the royal administration. Other discoveries, including human remains, decorated funerary cartonnage, pottery and a wooden falcon figure, show that the area remained in use across later periods.
Inside the tomb of Sekhentyu-Ptah and his preserved funerary chapel
The tomb belonged to Sekhentyu-Ptah, a senior official whose funerary chapel was found with its false door that is still preserved in its original position. The discovery was made during the mission’s first excavation season at a site that is located west of the Bubasteion necropolis. The area around the false door contained several alabaster funerary objects, including an offering table, an offering disc, and a purification basin. Hieroglyphic inscriptions on these objects include Sekhentyu-Ptah’s name and titles, helping researchers identify the tomb and its occupant. The inscriptions also demonstrate that he was an important official who held administrative and religious responsibilities during Egypt’s Old Kingdom.
What do the inscriptions reveal about Sekhentyu-Ptah’s role
The inscriptions on the alabaster objects reveal the range of roles held by Sekhentyu-Ptah. They identify him as a royal chamberlain and supervisor of the king’s works. He also served as a supervisor of royal documents, a priest of the goddess maat, and a supervisor of scribes. These titles indicate that his work covered both the royal administration and religious affairs. The inscriptions provide valuable details about his position within the Old Kingdom hierarchy, while also linking the funerary objects to the official buried in the tomb. Together, they offer a clearer picture of the responsibilities assigned to this senior official.
What other artefacts were discovered at the Saqqara site
The excavation also uncovered interconnected burial shafts containing human remains and large quantities of decorated funerary cartonnage. Archaeologists found more than 100 faience ushabti figurines, along with three stone sarcophagi that remained sealed. Other discoveries included a wooden falcon figure, pottery vessels and additional funerary objects. Together, these finds indicate that the excavation covers more than a single tomb. The interconnected shafts form part of a wider burial network, with artefacts and remains representing different stages in the long history of the necropolis. The findings provide further evidence of how the site was used for burials over time.
How was the ancient burial complex reused and altered
The burial network also shows that the area continued to be used after Sekhentyu-Ptah’s time. Archaeologists found evidence of later activity within the necropolis, including burial shafts that had been looted in ancient times. Tomb robbers appear to have created openings between separate burial chambers that allowed them to move through parts of the complex. These changes provide clues about what happened to the burial site after its original use. The artefacts and human remains recovered from the shafts help researchers trace different phases of activity at the necropolis. Together, these findings indicate how the area was reused and altered over time.
What could further excavation reveal about the Saqqara site
The archaeological mission will continue excavating the area while analysing the material recovered from the tombs and burial shafts. The work is expected to provide more information about burial practices and the development of the Saqqara necropolis across different periods of ancient Egyptian history. Further study of the inscriptions, funerary objects, human remains and sealed sarcophagi may also help researchers establish how the site was used over time. The discovery has already brought together evidence from the burial of an Old Kingdom official and later activity at the necropolis, giving archaeologists material to examine the changing practices associated with the site.
