Two New 6th Dynasty Tombs Discovered at Saqqara

There have been some exciting discoveries made at Saqqara over the last few years, and in July 2010, it was announced that two sixth dynasty tombs had been discovered.  These were the tombs of a father and son called Shendwa and Khonsu.  Both of these individuals had important jobs, with Shendwa's titles including 'Head of the Royal Scribes' and 'Supervisor of the Missions'.  His son Khonsu appears to have taken over theses same titles from his father.

Shendwa's tomb incorporates a beautifully painted false door, which pictures the deceased Shendwa seated before an offering table.The tomb contained a wooden sarcophagus, that had unfortunately deteriorated badly because of the conditions in the tomb, and a set of offering vessels in the shape of a duck.

Khonsu's tomb also contains a painted false door, an offering table and an engraved stone lintel on the floor.

Read on to find out more about the discovery of the 6th dynasty tombs at Saqqara

Egyptian Queen's Tomb Discovered at Saqqara

Egyptologists have discovered the tomb of an Ancient Egyptian Queen at Saqqara, which is 30 kms south of Cairo. The burial chamber of Queen Behenu was discovered near her pyramid, which lies within the necropolis of Pharaoh Pepi I, and contains an intact sarcophagus and the walls are inscribed with pyramid texts.  Pyramid texts are spells and instructions designed to help the deceased make the dangerous passage into the afterlife.

The sarcophagus is carved from granite and gives the Queen's name and titles but does not give the identity of her husband.  Egyptologists are unsure as to whether Behenu's husband was Pepi I or Pepi II, both pharaohs of the 6th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt's Old Kingdom.

Read on for the whole article on the discovery of the tomb of Queen Behenu