New finds at Saqqara near Cairo.

20 Feb, 2007

A team of Australian and Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered two tombs and two anthropoid sarcophagi at the Saqqara necropolis just south of Cairo. One of the tombs is of Ka-Hay, a royal scribe, and his wife, and dates back to the late fifth or early sixth dynasty (c.2345 BC), according to top antiquities official Zahi Hawass. Constructed from mud brick, its doors show hieroglyphics depicting the couple and they are also represented in a series of wooden statues found inside. The other tomb is allegedly of a butler and is at least 3,350 years old. It contains well-preserved blue and orange paintings depicting animals and rituals.

Instead the sarcophagi are humanlike wooden coffins of the priest Sobek Hat and his female companion from the 12th dynasty (1991-1786 BC).