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A new Fifth Dynasty tomb has been discovered at Saqqara by an Egyptian mission led by the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities and Heritage. The 4,400-year-old tomb belongs to Userafra, a previously unknown son of King Userkaf (the founder of the Fifth Dynasty, c.2494-2487 BC), whose titles describe him as Hereditary Prince, Vizier, Judge, ‘Chanting Priest’, Royal Scribe, and Governor of Buto and Nekheb. The tomb contained a huge pink granite false door (4.5 metres in height), the first of its kind to be found at Saqqara, in front of which is a red granite offering table, 92.5cm in diameter, inscribed with offering lists. A secondary granite entrance on the eastern façade was inscribed with the name of Userafra and the cartouche of King Neferirkara, the third king of the Dynasty (c.2475-2455 BC).
The team also discovered a black granite statue of a man measuring over a metre tall, with hieroglyphic inscriptions on his chest. The statue, dating to the Saite Twenty-sixth Dynasty (c.664-525 BC), suggests the tomb was reused during the Late Period. A rare statue depicting the Third Dynasty king Djoser (c.2667-2648 BC), with his wife and ten daughters, was found as well. This was probably taken from the Step Pyramid complex at this time, although the reason it was moved to the tomb is not known.
Text: Sarah Griffiths / All images: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
