Intact 5th dynasty tomb found in Egypt

[The Caspian Hare]

https://ww.egyptindependent.com/egypt-unveils-one-of-a-kind-ancient-tomb-expects-more-finds/

Quote

 

SAQQARA, Egypt (Reuters) – Egypt unveiled a well-preserved 4,400-year-old tomb decorated with hieroglyphs and statues south of Cairo on Saturday, and officials expect more discoveries when archaeologists excavate the site further in coming months.

The tomb was found in a buried ridge at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara. It was untouched and unlooted, Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, told reporters at the site. He described the find as “one of a kind in the last decades”.

The tomb dates from the rule of Neferirkare Kakai, the third king of the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom.

Archaeologists removed a last layer of debris from the tomb on Thursday and found five shafts inside, Waziri said. One of the shafts was unsealed with nothing inside, but the other four were sealed. They are expecting to make discoveries when they excavate those shafts starting on Sunday, he said.

 

 

[+susieice]

Here are some pictures.

https://www.livescience.com/64316-saqqara-divine-tomb-photos.html

[Wistman]

39 minutes ago, susieice said:

Here are some pictures.

https://www.livescience.com/64316-saqqara-divine-tomb-photos.html

Woweeee-wow!  Fantastic decorations.

[Still Waters]

A few more pics.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-46580264

Quote

Journalists were allowed into the newly-discovered tomb, which experts have called "exceptionally well-preserved"

How fascinating that must be to be allowed inside.

[Wistman]

btw....this tomb decoration from the 5th Dyn. is a good example (of, admittedly, only a few) of the Old Kingdom stoneworkers carving sculpture from the living rock...a point once disputed in another thread (about the Sphinx.)

[Jenn8779]

Just when it seems like there's nothing more to find, something like this is discovered. Truly an amazing find!

[+susieice]

They think it's intact also. That hasn't happened that I'm aware of since Tut. This should be really interesting.

[The Caspian Hare]

By the way I wrote "fifth century" by mistake but I meant "fifth dynasty." Can some site staff change the title for me please

[Nukuson]

Yes, I've seen that on the TV in news today. Don't remember which channel was it, but either RÚV or Stöð 2.

[glorybebe]

It would be a dream come true to see it first hand!

[Silver Surfer]

The start of that video horrifies me... they just let a whole bunch of people in with cameras.. so close to be pressing up against the wall. Where is the respect for preservation...

[Jon the frog]

WOW !That's the find of a lifetime sought by a lot of archaeologist !

[+OverSword]

Can you imagine discovering such a thing? 

[Susanc241]

Fascinating as this is (and yes, I did watch Tony Robinson's shows recently) it does make me wonder if we are any better than the tomb raiders of yesteryear.  Admittedly, finds are now preserved and a lot put in museums for display and not sold off to private dealers/collectors, nor gold melted down regardless of what the object was.  At the end of the day, this is someone’s tomb (maybe several people).  This tomb had evaded looting by historical tomb raiders and here we are doing just that.  Makes me a bit uncomfortable (and I am in no way religious). 

[SHaYap]

36 minutes ago, Susanc241 said:

Fascinating as this is (and yes, I did watch Tony Robinson's shows recently) it does make me wonder if we are any better than the tomb raiders of yesteryear.

At least nowadays there is no more setting off dynamite sticks for the sake of science

~

36 minutes ago, Susanc241 said:

 

 Admittedly, finds are now preserved and a lot put in museums for display and not sold off to private dealers/collectors, nor gold melted down regardless of what the object was.  At the end of the day, this is someone’s tomb (maybe several people).  This tomb had evaded looting by historical tomb raiders and here we are doing just that.  Makes me a bit uncomfortable (and I am in no way religious). 

In a way this is what preservation of History has been reduced to, if this is not done then sooner or later someone will get to it one way or another, which could mean nobody will have any idea of its existence ever

~

[Myles]

3 hours ago, Susanc241 said:

Fascinating as this is (and yes, I did watch Tony Robinson's shows recently) it does make me wonder if we are any better than the tomb raiders of yesteryear.  Admittedly, finds are now preserved and a lot put in museums for display and not sold off to private dealers/collectors, nor gold melted down regardless of what the object was.  At the end of the day, this is someone’s tomb (maybe several people).  This tomb had evaded looting by historical tomb raiders and here we are doing just that.  Makes me a bit uncomfortable (and I am in no way religious). 

I've thought about the same several times.   People that do it for their own interest or profit are referred to as grave robbers.   People who do it for a Universities interest or profit are not called grave robbers.   Someone on here once gave me a span that they thought is an acceptable time to wait before digging up a grave for research.   I want to say it was around 100 years if it was funded by a "credible" source.   

[+OverSword]

Excavation of 6000 year old tombs for research purposes is not only not grave robbery it will ultimately help to preserve the artifacts. Despite the fact that this tomb has been sealed for millennia you can see from the photos that things are decaying and falling apart. Now the items will be put into the hands of preservationists which might ensure their survival for thousands of more years and enable humans to see examples of the very earliest parts of their civilization far into the future.

Edited December 17, 2018 by OverSword

[Myles]

19 minutes ago, OverSword said:

Excavation of 6000 year old tombs for research purposes is not only not grave robbery it will ultimately help to preserve the artifacts. Despite the fact that this tomb has been sealed for millennia you can see from the photos that things are decaying and falling apart. Now the items will be put into the hands of preservationists which might ensure their survival for thousands of more years and enable humans to see examples of the very earliest parts of their civilization far into the future.

Playing devils advocate. 

What if an archeologist digs something up and preserves it in his own home for his own interests and enjoyment.   Is he a grave robber?   

[paperdyer]

I always am amazed how advanced the Egyptians were while using pictures to communicate.  We have a hard time trying to decipher them. Can you imagine, if our civilization completely crumbles and the new great civilization tries to read our icons and emojies?

[kmt_sesh]

Here's some more info, a few more pics, and even some video clips:

https://ktxs.com/news/nation-world/egypt-announces-discovery-of-4400-year-old-tomb

Wonderful tomb. Dynasty 5 produ ed some real treasures. This article was sent to me by UM poster @Ruby04.