In May 2023, Egypt announces the discovery of the two largest mummification workshops, two tombs, a number of artifacts in Saqqara... 

Egyptian archaeological mission, headed by Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of Supreme Council of Antiquities, succeeded in uncovering for the first time the largest two embalming workshops, one tailor made for mummification of human and other is for animals, in addition to two tombs and a number of artifacts during mission's excavations for 6th year in a row at cemetery of sacred animals (Boubasiton) in Saqqara, Egypt.

Waziri explained that two discovered workshops date back to end of 30th Dynasty and beginning of Ptolemaic era, adding that mission was also able to uncover two tombs that date back to Old and New Kingdoms in addition to a number of artifacts.

During the conference, H.E. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa, said in his speech that he is glade to be in Saqqara one of largest royal necropolises in Egypt that houses the oldest stone building in history, Step Pyramid of Djoser, as well as many other pyramids of kings and queens as part of Memphis necropolis on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is also a unique tourist destination that offers to its visitors an incredible experience discovering its rich ancient Egyptian treasures, but also through the development work carried out by Supreme Council of Antiquities to improve the services provided to visitors in partnership with the private sector.

Mostafa Waziry, explains that the two embalming workshops date back to 30th Dynasty and Ptolemaic periods while two tombs are from Old and New Kingdoms. Workshop for humans has rectangular shape and designed to be divided into several rooms equipped with stony beds where deceased lay down for mummification. Each bed is two meters long and 50cm wide. They are covered with plaster and end with gutters. Inside each room, mission unearthed a collection of clay pots among which those used in mummification as well as a collection of mummification instruments and ritual vessels. The animals embalming workshop is a rectangular shape too, made of mud with stony floors. It consists of group of rooms inside which found a collection of clay pots and burials for animals along with bronze tools used in mummification process. The workshop has five beds made of stone different than those found inside human embalming workshop.

Early studies reveal that this workshop was used in mummification of the sacred animals. Sabri Farag, general director of Saqqara archaeological site said that first uncovered tomb belongs to a top official of 5th Dynasty named “Ne Hesut Ba” (2400 BC) who was head of scribes and priest of Horus and Maat. Second tomb belong to Qadish Priest named “Men Kheber” from 18th Dynasty (1400 BC).

Mohamed Youssef, director of Saqqara site pointed out that Old Kingdom tomb consists of a mastaba with a stone painted façade with names of deceased and his wife. Above it a lintel bearing hieroglyphic text showing different titles of deceased and his wife as well as painting for offering holders. Daily life, cultivating and hunting scenes are also shown inside tomb. New Kingdom tomb is carved in rock with door and lintel decorated with names of deceased and his wife. Tomb is decorated with scenes showing deceased in different position before offering tables. Inside it a niche was found with 1m long alabaster statue of tomb’s owner. He is shown wearing a long dress, a wig and holding the lotus flower in one hand. Statue is decorated with hieroglyphic text written in blue. Other statues were found among them collection of wooden statue for man named Nesu Henu and his wife from 5th Dynasty and an anthropoid painted coffin from 3rd intermediate period.

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