In the golden sands of Saqqara, one of Egypt’s most iconic necropolises, archaeologists have made a discovery that is rewriting history. Over the past two years, teams have unearthed hundreds of coffins and mummies, intricate artifacts, and even the pyramid of a previously unknown queen. The find, located just 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Cairo, sheds light on Egypt’s New Kingdom period and reveals a side of Saqqara that had never been documented before.
A Necropolis Full of Surprises
Saqqara has long been known as a vast burial site, most famous for the Step Pyramid of Djoser. But until recently, most of its excavated tombs dated to either the Old Kingdom or the Late Period. The new discovery, however, has revealed something extraordinary: 22 interconnected burial shafts filled with New Kingdom burials, dating between the 16th and 11th centuries B.C.
Dr. Zahi Hawass, one of Egypt’s most renowned Egyptologists and former Minister of Antiquities, explained: “Teti, the first king of the Sixth Dynasty, was worshipped as a god in the New Kingdom period, and so people wanted to be buried near him. Now we have found 22 shafts, ranging from 30 to 60 feet deep, all with New Kingdom burials.”
This revelation overturns previous assumptions that Saqqara was not commonly used for burials during this period.
Hundreds of Coffins and Well-Preserved Mummies
Within the shafts, archaeologists uncovered a massive limestone sarcophagus and more than 300 decorated wooden coffins, each beautifully painted and personalized. These coffins, adorned with colorful scenes from the Book of the Dead, display individualized facial features to distinguish men from women. Many also feature protective depictions of the Four Sons of Horus, guardians of the deceased’s organs.
When the lids were lifted, the surprise deepened. The mummies inside were astonishingly well preserved, despite lying undisturbed for more than 3,000 years. “This shows that mummification reached its peak in the New Kingdom,” Hawass noted. Some coffins even had two lids, and one especially remarkable coffin contained a golden mask covering the face of a woman—an artifact that has already drawn international attention.
Treasures Buried with the Dead
Beyond the coffins themselves, the burial shafts contained a wealth of artifacts offering a glimpse into daily and spiritual life in ancient Egypt. Excavators found shabtis (funerary figurines), statues of the god Ptah-Sokar, amulets, and even games like Senet, which was thought to guide souls through the afterlife. In one particularly striking find, the team uncovered a metal axe still clutched in the hand of an army soldier, bridging the gap between military duty in life and protection in death.
A Queen Lost to History — Now Found
Perhaps the most groundbreaking discovery was a small pyramid belonging to a queen previously unknown to Egypt’s historical record. Inscribed on the pyramid was her name: Queen Neith. “It is amazing to literally rewrite what we know of history, adding a new queen to our records,” Hawass explained. Unlike queens such as Nefertiti or Hatshepsut, Queen Neith had been forgotten by time—until now. Her pyramid and associated artifacts not only prove her existence but also raise new questions about her role in Egypt’s royal lineage.
Rewriting Egypt’s History
The discovery at Saqqara provides a unique look into burial practices and beliefs during the New Kingdom. It also connects to the broader story of Tutankhamun, as some of the mummies are believed to have been close advisors and generals to the boy-king during his short reign between 1333 and 1323 B.C. The presence of such individuals in Saqqara suggests the necropolis was more significant during this era than previously thought.
“This is entirely unique to the site,” Hawass emphasized. “Burials from the New Kingdom were not known to be common in this area before.”
From Dig Site to Museum
A selection of the coffins, mummies, and artifacts will be displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, scheduled to open soon. For Egyptologists and history enthusiasts worldwide, the collection promises to offer one of the richest displays of New Kingdom burial culture ever assembled.
A Discovery That Captivates the World
The Saqqara find has captured global fascination, not just for its scale but also for its ability to reshape history. It challenges assumptions about burial traditions, introduces an entirely new queen, and preserves personal objects that bring ancient Egyptians’ daily lives closer to us. From golden masks to game boards, each artifact whispers forgotten stories of faith, status, and identity.
The sands of Saqqara, once again, have proven that Egypt’s deserts still guard secrets waiting to be told.
Sources
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Live Science – Hundreds of mummies, pyramid of unknown queen unearthed at Saqqara
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Smithsonian Magazine – Pyramid of Queen Neith and 300 coffins discovered in Saqqara
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National Geographic – Egypt archaeologists uncover mummies and pyramid at Saqqara
