Archaeologists in Egypt have made a remarkable discovery, uncovering a 3,000-year-old tomb belonging to a temple guard.
The tomb, located in Saqqara, Egypt, is believed to have belonged to Panehsy, who served as the guard of the tomb of the Egyptian deity Amun. The tomb is from Egypt’s 19th Dynasty, which lasted from 1292–1189 BC.
Researchers say the mudbrick walls of the temple have “beautiful, colorful reliefs” that depict Panehsy and his wife Baia, who is known as “the singer of Amun.”
The discovery was made by a team of Dutch and Italian archaeologists. Mostafa Waziri, the secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council on Antiquities, called the discovery “a remarkable find” that “sheds light on the development of Saqqara necropolis during the Ramesside era.”
The tomb is shaped like a temple and includes a colonnaded courtyard, three chapels, and a shaft that leads to an underground burial chamber. Hieroglyphs in the tomb point to it belonging to Paneshy, saying, “steward of the temple of Amun,” and “Paneshy of Memphis.”
In addition to Paneshy’s tomb, the archaeological team uncovered four small chapels in separate tombs that date to the same time period. One of the chapels belonged to a man named YoeYoe, who was known as the “gold foil maker of Pharaoh’s treasury.” His tomb has reliefs depicting his funeral procession and the afterlife.
The discovery of Panehsy’s tomb is the latest in a string of impressive finds in Egypt this year, specifically in Saqqara. In January, archaeologists discovered the tomb of a “secret keeper” that is 4,300 years old.
Egypt is home to some of the most important ancient sites in the world, and this latest discovery is sure to bring attention to the country’s rich history and culture. As Waziri said, “This discovery will contribute to the world’s understanding of our history and civilization.”
نجحت البعثة الأثرية الهولندية الإيطالية من متحف ليدن بهولندا والمتحف المصري بتورينو، والعاملة بمنطقة آثار سقارة تحت إشراف المجلس الأعلى للآثار، في الكشف عن مقبرة لشخص يدعي بانحسي وعدد من المقاصير من عصر الرعامسة. pic.twitter.com/i5oiqdERMd
— Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (@TourismandAntiq) April 12, 2023
