Archaeologists announced in January of 2023, the discovery of a gold leaf-covered mummy sealed inside a sarcophagus that had not been opened for 4,300 years. The mummy, the remains of a man named Hekashepes, identified by tomb hieroglyphics, is thought to be one of the oldest and most complete non-royal corpses ever found in Egypt.
His sarcophagus, sealed shut with gypsum mortar, was discovered down 50ft shaft at a burial site south of Cairo, Saqqara, where three other tombs were found.
Several other tombs were also discovered at the site. They belonged to an inspector named Khnumdjedef, who served the pharaoh Unas (ruled circa 2353 B.C. to 2323 B.C.) a judge and writer named Fetek and a priest who may have been named Messi.
Another belonged to a royal official named Meri who held the title of “the keeper of the secrets.” His tomb was decorated with wall paintings depicting “scenes of daily life”.
From the information released, the necropolis is related to the pyramid of Unas and his cult. Unas was the last pharaoh of the fifth dynasty and it’s possible that the newly found tombs mark a turning point in the transition between the fifth and sixth dynasties of Egypt.
“The transition from Dynasty 5 to 6 took place during the 4.2K weather event. Fifty years of drought, several failures of the Nile to flood and a drying up of most of the western desert oasis, as well as the entire then well-watered Sahel. Climate change, terminated the Old Kingdom.” This According to retired Archeologist Robert Jones.
The 6th Dynasty was ruled by pharaoh named Teti (circa 2323 B.C. to 2291 B.C.) Who was not a member of the royal line and perhaps married into it.
This find illustrates the effectiveness of necropolises for the purpose of hiding burials as this tomb was un undisturbed until it’s recent discovery.
