Spanish-Egyptian mission reveals fifth dynasty tomb at Saqqara

A joint Spanish-Egyptian archaeological mission has uncovered a tomb complex dating to the late Fifth Dynasty at the Saqqara archaeological site, shedding new light on the lives and administrative roles of senior officials in ancient Egypt.

The discovery was made during the mission’s 2026 excavation season in an area north of Saqqara that was explored by French archaeologist Auguste Mariette in the 19th century.

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The newly uncovered tomb is a medium-sized mastaba containing two funerary chapels. One belonged to an official named Yunmin, who held several senior positions, including judge, director of the court and head of the scribes responsible for examining petitions and complaints.

The second chapel belonged to Yunmin’s father, Ity, who held scribal positions associated with the administration of agricultural land and offerings.

The Spanish-Egyptian mission is working under a joint scientific project between the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, with archaeological excavation and research continuing in the area north of Saqqara.

Dr Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the discovery provides important new archaeological evidence concerning the Saqqara necropolis during the closing years of the Fifth Dynasty.

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He said the tomb offers further insight into the architectural and artistic styles of funerary monuments from the period, as well as the administrative positions occupied by senior state officials during this chapter of ancient Egyptian history.

El-Leithy added that the mastaba’s location had been known since the excavations conducted by Auguste Mariette in the 19th century. However, the site had never previously been subjected to systematic excavation and archaeological documentation using an integrated scientific methodology, giving the mission’s work and the latest discovery particular significance.

Dr Josep Cervelló Autuori, head of the mission from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, said the mastaba contains two funerary chapels opening onto its eastern wall, with Yunmin’s principal chapel situated on the northern side.

Excavations revealed a distinctive architectural façade bearing funerary inscriptions and offering formulae, together with a representation of Yunmin in an official pose.

The chapel’s walls are decorated with high-quality reliefs depicting agricultural activities and processions of offering-bearers approaching the tomb. Many of the scenes retain traces of their original colours, highlighting the skill and artistic quality achieved by craftsmen of the period.

The southern chapel, belonging to Yunmin’s father Ity, contains a false door and painted wall scenes depicting the presentation of offerings, although substantial portions of its decoration have been lost.

The discovery adds to archaeological understanding of Saqqara, one of ancient Egypt’s most important burial grounds, and provides further evidence of the funerary practices, artistic traditions and administrative hierarchy of the late Fifth Dynasty.

Sources : Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities

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