History of Saqqara in Timeline

Saqqara is an Egyptian village and a significant ancient burial ground, serving as the necropolis for the ancient capital, Memphis. Located approximately 30 km south of Cairo, it features numerous pyramids, including the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and mastaba tombs. Spanning an area of roughly 7 by 1.5 km, Saqqara represents a crucial historical site, offering insights into ancient Egyptian royalty and funerary practices.

1939: Last time a similar mask was found

In 1939 a similar mask was found to the one discovered in July 2018, this was the last time something similar had been discovered.

1979: Memphite Necropolis designated a World Heritage Site

In 1979, the Pyramid Fields of Memphis, also known as the Memphite Necropolis, which includes the Saqqara, Abusir, Dahshur, and Giza pyramid complexes, were designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

1997: Discovery of the tomb of vizier Merefnebef

In 1997, the tomb of vizier Merefnebef, featuring a funerary chapel decorated with multi-colored reliefs, was uncovered by a Polish-Egyptian expedition.

2003: Discovery of the tomb of courtier Nyankhnefertem

In 2003, the tomb of courtier Nyankhnefertem was uncovered by a Polish-Egyptian expedition.

2011: Discovery of eight million animal mummies

During excavations in 2011 at the dog catacomb in Saqqara necropolis, an excavation team uncovered almost eight million animal mummies, mostly dogs, at the burial site next to the sacred temple of Anubis.

2011: Looting during Egyptian protests

In 2011, Saqqara and the surrounding areas suffered damage by looters during the Egyptian protests. Store rooms were broken into, but the monuments were mostly unharmed.

July 2018: Discovery of a gilded burial mask

In July 2018, a German-Egyptian researchers’ team reported the discovery of an extremely rare gilded burial mask that probably dates from the Saite-Persian period in a partly damaged wooden coffin. The eyes were covered with obsidian, calcite, and black hued gemstone possibly onyx.

September 2018: Discovery of dozens of mummies

In September 2018, a team of Polish archaeologists led by Kamil Kuraszkiewicz discovered several dozen mummies dating back 2,000 years in Saqqara.

November 2018: Discovery of mummified scarab beetles

Also in November 2018, a collection of rare mummified scarab beetles was unearthed in two sarcophagi at Saqqara, one of which was decorated with paintings of large black beetles.

November 2018: Discovery of the tomb of Wahtye

Also in November 2018, the Egyptian government announced the discovery at Saqqara of a previously unknown 4,400-year-old tomb. It belongs to Wahtye, a high-ranking priest who served under King Neferirkare Kakai during the Fifth Dynasty. The tomb contains more than fifty sculptures, and is painted with scenes of the family, wine and pottery making, musical performances, sailing, hunting, and furniture making.

November 2018: Discovery of seven ancient Egyptian tombs

In November 2018, an Egyptian archaeological mission located seven ancient Egyptian tombs at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara. Three of the tombs were used for cats, some dating back to the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties. One of the seven tombs belongs to Khufu-Imhat, the overseer of buildings in the royal palace.

April 2019: Discovery of the 4,000-year-old tomb of Khuwy

On 13 April 2019, an expedition led by Mohamed Megahed discovered a 4,000-year-old tomb near Egypt's Saqqara Necropolis. Archaeologists confirmed that the tomb belonged to an influential person named Khuwy, who lived in Egypt during the 5th Dynasty.

October 2019: Discovery of a cache of 30 coffins with mummies

In October 2019, a cache of 30 coffins with mummies was discovered in Saqqara, Egypt's largest in more than a century. Two of the coffins belonged to children, a rare occurrence in archeology.

April 28, 2020: Discovery of a burial shaft with sarcophagi and artifacts

On April 28, 2020, archeologists announced they had found a 30-foot-deep (9 meter) burial shaft containing five limestone sarcophagi, four wooden coffins with human mummies, and an array of other artifacts, including 365 faience ushabti and a small wooden obelisk.

September 2020: Discovery of 30 sealed sarcophagi

In September 2020, a 36-foot (11-meter) deep burial shaft revealed almost 30 sarcophagi that had remained completely sealed since their interment.

October 2020: Discovery of gilded statues and coffins

On 19 October 2020, the discovery of gilded, wooden statues and more than 80 coffins in three burial shafts at Saqqara was announced. Officials believed the coffins contain senior officials and priests from the 26th Dynasty.

October 2020: Discovery of 59 sealed sarcophagi and statues

On 3 October 2020, the discovery of at least 59 sealed sarcophagi with mummies more than 2,600 years old was announced. Archaeologists also revealed the 20 statues of Ptah-Soker and a carved 35-centimeter tall bronze statue of god Nefertem.

November 2020: Discovery of over 100 painted wooden coffins and statues

In November 2020, archaeologists unearthed more than 100 delicately painted wooden coffins dating to the 26th Dynasty and 40 statues of the local goddess Ptah Soker. Other artifacts discovered include funeral masks, canopic jars and 1,000 ceramic amulets.

January 2021: Discovery of the funerary temple of Naert

Also in January 2021, a team of archaeologists led by Zahi Hawass found the funerary temple of Naert or Narat and three warehouses made of bricks attached to the southeastern side for storage of temple provisions, offerings and tools.

January 2021: Discovery of sarcophagi and papyrus from the Book of the Dead

In January 2021, the discovery of more than 50 wooden sarcophagi in 52 burial shafts which date back to the New Kingdom period, and a 13 ft-long papyrus that contains texts from Chapter 17 of the Book of the Dead was announced.

November 2021: Discovery of tombs including Batah-M-Woya and Hor Mohib

In November 2021, archeologists from Cairo University discovered several tombs, including that of Batah-M-Woya, chief treasurer during the reign of Ramesses II, and of a military leader named Hor Mohib.

March 2022: Discovery of 4000-year-old tombs

In March 2022, five 4000-year-old tombs belonging to senior officials from the Old Kingdom and First Intermediary Period were discovered.

May 2022: Discovery of the tomb of Mehtjetju

In May 2022, the discovery of the nearly 4,300-year-old tomb of an ancient Egyptian high-ranked person who handled royal, sealed documents of pharaoh was announced. The tomb belonged to a man named Mehtjetju who served as a priest and an inspector of the royal property.

May 2022: Display of sarcophagi and statuettes

On 30 May 2022, 250 sarcophagi and 150 statuettes were displayed at Saqqara, dated back to the Late Period more than 2,500 years ago, in addition to a 9-meter-long papyrus scroll which could be a depiction of a chapter of the Book of the Dead.

January 2023: Discovery of four tombs at Saqqara

In January 2023, Zahi Hawass announced the discovery of four tombs at Saqqara including a 4,300-year-old mummy to a man named Hekashepes covered with gold, in addition to finds date back to the 5th and 6th dynasties, such as a priest inspector named Khnumdjedef, secret keeper called Meri and a judge and writer named Fetek.

April 2024: Discovery of a Second Dynasty tomb

In April 2024, a rock-cut tomb dating back to the Second Dynasty was uncovered in Saqqara by a team of Japanese and Egyptian archaeologists. The tomb contained artifacts from various periods, spanning over the Late Period, the Ptolemaic period, and the 18th Dynasty.