The 4,400-year-old tomb is the next in a series of rare discoveries at the Saqqara pyramid complex in Egypt. A BBC article quoted Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, as describing the find as “unique in decades.”
What treasure was found?
The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities announced that the mausoleum had been built for a man named Wahtye, known as the “Divine Inspector” during his lifetime. According to an article on Live Science, Egypt’s Antiquities Minister, Khaled El-Enany, told reporters during a press conference last week that the mausoleum contains “At least 55 statues” and that they are “preserved.” especially good and [colorful] with the sculptures inside.”
Who is the Divine Inspector?
Waziri said the high priest known as the ‘Divine Inspector’ worked for Pharaoh Neferirkare between 2446–2438 BC. His mausoleum has two floors “with 24 statues upstairs and 31 statues downstairs,” depicting both people and gods, some life-sized and others “as tall as ever.” up to 3 feet (1 meter).”
What suggestions do the hieroglyphs give?
The mausoleum’s vibrant and exceptionally well-preserved paintings illustrate the Ancient Egyptians engaged in daily activities such as cooking, drinking, and building. The hieroglyphs refer to Wahtye’s wife “Nin Winit Ptah”, a name meaning “greatest of Ptah”, a creator deity worshiped in Memphis near Saqqara. It also “usually refers to” Wahtye’s mother as “Merit Meen” which means “lover of Min, a fertility god in ancient times”. Waziri said.
Built in Ancient Egypt
According to an article about the discovery of the ancient tomb on ABC.net.au, it measures “10 meters long, 3 meters wide and just under 3 meters high” (about 33 feet long by 10 feet and just under 10 feet) foot high) according to Mr Waziri. Furthermore, “The tomb located in a buried mountainside has only been partially discovered,” and the Egyptian authorities also announced that “hidden beneath the tomb” the team of archaeologists discovered ” five hidden axes”, one of which Waziri says may lead to “Wahtye’s coffin and the artifacts buried with him”. The team is expected to begin excavating the five axes on December 17.
Why are there so many animal mummies found?
Saqqara served as the necropolis of Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt for more than two millennia. In 2011, it was proven that people have a ‘thing’ of worshiping dead animals. At the ‘dog catacombs’ at Saqqara graveyard, an international team of archaeologists led by Paul Nicholson of Cardiff University have unearthed “nearly eight million animal mummies” at the burial site, according to an article Newspaper of Live Science from July this year. And in 2018, researchers discovered “an exceptionally rare gilded burial mask” and “seven ancient Egyptian tombs,” in which a collection of “cat mummies and mummies were found.” scarab” of the 5th and 6th dynasties.
It can be assumed that surely an animal mummy of some kind will be discovered along with the coffin of the “Inspector”. Animal religions remained popular from about 747 BC to 30 BC, declining sharply during the Roman occupation. According to a Live Science article published in June of this year, the researchers claim; “[Animal] religions can be a symbol of national identity when the country is invaded by people of other countries, such as Libyans and Persians.” Professor Aidan Dodson of the University of Bristol in the UK said: ‘They set up a pilgrimage temple to almost any deity you could love.
What are Temples and Catacombs used for?
He believes that the temples and catacombs at Saqqara “have the potential to promote trade and commerce,” and he also told Live Science, “There could be a huge amount of trade coming in, not just for the production of corpses. marinated animals, but also people who wanted food, shelter, and drink.” Dobson concludes that animal cultism “is probably the ancestor of mass tourism.” ‘Inspector god’ is central figure in the animal cults in Saqqara.