Egypt Opens 4,000-Year-Old Tomb to the Public

Egypt Opens 4,000-Year-Old Tomb to the Public
Detail of the tomb in the Saqqara necropolis near Giza. (Reuters)
Reuters
9/18/2018
Updated:
10/3/2018

Egypt allowed the public to visit a 4,000-year old tomb in the Saqqara necropolis near Giza for the first time on Sept. 8 in a bid to promote tourism.

The tomb, discovered in 1940 by Egyptologist Zaki Saad, belongs to an ancient Egypt high-ranking official named Mehu who was related to the first king of the 6th dynasty.

The tomb included two chambers, both with wall inscriptions of the owner of the tomb hunting as well as drawings showing aspects of Ancient Egyptian lives such as hunting and acrobatic dancing.

Mehu lived during the reign of King Pepi and held 48 titles, found inscribed on the walls of his chamber.

“It is a 4,500-year old tomb from the 6th dynasty. It is during the King Pepi rule. It is a family tomb of a father, son, and grandson. We are seeing Mehu, his son Meren Ra, and his grandson Heteb Kha. The tombs owner had 48 titles,” said head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Al-Waziri.

Archaeologists have so far this year excavated a number of relics that include a 4,400-year-old tomb at the Giza plateau and an ancient necropolis in Minya, south of Cairo.

Egypt is hoping these discoveries will brighten its image abroad and revive interest among travelers who once flocked to its iconic pharaonic temples and pyramids but who have shunned the country since its 2011 political uprising.