On November 4, 1918, British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered King Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, close to Luxor. After a century since that fabled discovery, new discoveries are still being made in the royal tombs of ancient Egypt.
Coffins, papyri, and other artifacts have recently been discovered by archaeologists at the Saqqara necropolis site in Giza. These relics were discovered 65 feet below Egypt’s famous pyramids in a network of connected coffin rooms.
According to prominent Egyptologist and former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs Zahi Hawass, the most recent discoveries are connected to King Teti as well as King Tut’s generals and advisors.
Mummies discovered near Teti’s tomb in Saqqara will be excavated and subjected to an autopsy with X-rays. Relics will probably go on display at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which is expected to open next year, after being restored and archived. The museum will also receive some artifacts from King Tut’s tomb.
Archaeologists have only discovered a small portion of Egypt’s hidden monuments, as Hawass has noted numerous times. He believes Saqqara to be the hottest area right now.
“Teti was worshipped as a god in the New Kingdom, and everyone wanted to be buried alongside him,” Hawass told NBC News of the Sixth Dynasty’s first king, who ruled for roughly 12 years between 2300—2181 B.C.E. Hawass added that his team has found close to 300 coffins around Teti’s pyramid this year, each with ample substance for archaeological study.
King Tut, sometimes known as the “Boy Pharaoh,” ascended to the throne at the age of nine more than 3,000 years ago, beginning a 10-year reign that was hampered by health problems. Tut’s tomb was purportedly uninhabited when Carter discovered it in 1922, however recent claims that the archaeologist had stolen artifacts from the location were supported by Egyptologist Bob Brier’s book.
“As an archaeologist, if you gave me the whole money of the United States and England, I would say no,” Hawass told NBC News about the invaluable cultural value of finding King Tut’s tomb. “This heritage belongs to everyone.”
Hawass and his British opponent Nicholas Reeves are still vying to find Queen Nefertiti’s tomb, which is thought to be concealed underneath the tomb of the young pharaoh.
Discussion about this post