
Egyptian archaeologists say they have discovered a pair of 4,300-year-old tombs that indicate a burial site south of Cairo is bigger than expected. The tombs at the Saqqara necropolis belong to two officials from the court of the Pharaoh Unas, Egypt's antiquities chief said. One was for the official in charge of quarries used for building pyramids, the other for the headof music.Hieroglyphics decorate the entrances of both the newly discovered tombs.
Zahi Hawass, Egypt's top archaeologist, told reporters that the tombs represented a "major" find."The discovery of the two tombs are the beginning of a big, large cemetery," he said. New discoveries are frequently made at Saqqara, including the unearthing of the remains of a pyramid in November.
Mr Hawass said 70% of Egypt's ancient monuments remain buried.
"We are continuing our
excavation and we are going to uncover more tombs in the area to
explain the period of dynasty five anddynasty six," he added,
referring to a period more than 4,000 years ago.
The contents of the newly found tombs have long since been stolen, Mr Hawass said.
The entrance of the tomb of the official in charge of music, Thanah, shows carved images of her smelling lotus flowers.
The other official whose
tomb was discovered, Iya Maat, oversaw the extraction of granite and
limestone from Aswan and other materials from the Western Desert for
the construction of nearby pyramids.
Copyright: BBCNews
Who was King Tutankhamun's mother ?
Tutankhamen's 'beautiful' face revealed
Giza Pyramids Align Toward City of Sun God
Egyptian temples followed heavenly plans
Cave complex beneath Giza Pyramids ?
4,000-year-old necropolis in Fayoum contains dozens of mummies
Pyramid building secrets unlocked
Painted mummies found in ancient Egypt necropolis
Robot enters secret pyramid chamber
Radiocarbon dating verifies ancient Egypt's history