The beautifully painted tomb of the Chief Palace Physician Tetinebfu from the Old Kingdom reign of Pepy II (c.2278-2184 BC) has been discovered at Saqqara by a joint French–Swiss mission. The mud-brick-lined mastaba was looted in antiquity, but the walls remained intact. The carved and painted reliefs depict funerary scenes, and scenes of Tetinebfu carrying out his medical duties. His full titles, found on his stone sarcophagus, show he was also a priest of the scorpion goddess Serket, Chief Dentist, and Director of Medicinal Plants.
Text: Sarah Griffiths / All images: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
