Egypt finds 4 000-yr-old mummy

2006-12-05 20:33

Cairo - Egyptian archaeologists have discovered the funerary remains of a doctor who lived more than 4 000 years ago, including his mummy, sarcophagus and bronze surgical instruments.

The upper part of the tomb was discovered in 2000 at Saqqara, 20km south of Cairo, and the tomb came to light in the burial pit during cleaning work, said state news agency Mena on Tuesday, quoting Egyptian government antiquities chief Zahi Hawass.

The doctor, whose name was Qar, lived under the 6th dynasty and built his tomb near Egypt's first pyramid. The 6th dynasty ruled from about 2350 to 2180 BC.

Hawass said the lid of the wooden tomb had excellent condition. "The linen wrappings and the funerary drawings on the mummy are still as they were," he said.

"The mask which covers the face of the mummy is in an amazing state of preservation in spite of slight damage in the area of the mouth."

The tomb also had earthenware containers bearing the doctor's name, a round limestone-offering table and 22 bronze statues of gods.

- Reuters