4 000-year-old tomb found
2001-10-01 17:51
Cairo - Egyptian archeologists have unearthed the 4 000- year-old tomb
of a 6th Dynasty ancient Egyptian royal court physician at the
necropolis of Sakkara, it was reported on Monday.
Inside the entrance to the subterranean chamber the team of
excavators was stunned to discover an intact circular alabaster
table - said to be unique in Egyptian mortuary furniture art.
The exquisite table is inscribed with a list of offerings and
blessings for the tomb owner - whose name was Qar, according to
Zahi Hawas, director of the Giza plateau antiquities.
Hawas said an alabaster oil lamp, pottery and 22 bronze
statues representing various deities were also found, along with
the physician's surgical equipment.
Excavators also found clay potsherds emblazoned with colourful
scenes representing offerings and every day life during the waning
days of the Old Kingdom of the great pyramid builders.
On the western wall of the tomb, the direction into which the
sun god Re descends to traverse the underworld and to arise renewed
in the east at dawn, the wall features a false door carved into the
limestone through which the deceased's soul can join Re on his
heavenly barque.
The false door's lintels are incised with hieroglyphic
inscriptions detailing the various titles of the tomb's owner,
including chief physician and entertainer of the royal court, and
ensuring him life, health and strength in all eternity.
A burial shaft 20 metres deep completes the tomb. - DPA
- SAPA