Egyptian officials have unearthed several over 4,000-year-old tombs of palace officials, including senior diplomats, priests and a prince who lived in a time of natural and political crises. For VOA, Hamada Elrasam has this photo gallery with captions by Elle Kurancid.
Egypt Discovers Ancient Tombs of Palace Officials
1
The five ancient tombs were discovered northwest of the Merenre Pyramid, in the Saqqara necropolis, or ancient cemetery, in Giza, Egypt, March 19, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)
2
Among the findings are well-preserved paintings, funerary objects, sacred oil jars, and symbolic limestone gates to the afterlife, in Giza, Egypt, March 19, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)
3
The tombs belonged to a senior statesman, a priest, a prince, and two noblewomen, with only remnants left of their coffins and mummies, in Giza, Egypt, March 19, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)
4
The shafts leading to the burial chambers range between 3 and 8 meters deep. According to excavators, they use ladders and hand-woven buckets to avoid damaging the site, in Giza, Egypt, March 19, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)