4,000-year-old Egyptian tomb opens to the public

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

Detail of wall painting in the Sixth Dynasty tomb of Mehu in the Saqqara necropolis
[Credit: Khaled Desouki, AFP]

The tomb, discovered in 1940 by Egyptologist Zaki Saad, belongs to a high-ranking ancient 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.

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.

Source: Press TV [September 11, 2018]

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