Array ( [0] => {{Short description|Burial ground in Giza Governorate, Egypt}} [1] => {{Redirect|Sakkara}} [2] => {{Infobox ancient site [3] => | name = Saqqara [4] => | native_name = سقارة [5] => | alternate_name = [6] => | image = Saqqara pyramid ver 2.jpg [7] => | alt = [8] => | caption = The stepped [[Pyramid of Djoser]] at Saqqara [9] => | map_type = Egypt [10] => | map_alt = [11] => | map_size = [12] => | relief = yes [13] => | coordinates = {{coord|29|52|16|N|31|12|59|E|display=inline,title}} [14] => | location = [[Giza Governorate]], [[Egypt]] [15] => | region = [[Lower Egypt]] [16] => | type = [[Necropolis]] [17] => | part_of = [18] => | length = [19] => | width = [20] => | area = [21] => | height = [22] => | builder = [23] => | material = [24] => | built = [25] => | abandoned = [26] => | epochs = [[Early Dynastic Period of Egypt|Early Dynastic Period]] to [[Middle Ages]] [27] => | cultures = [28] => | dependency_of = [29] => | occupants = [30] => | event = [31] => | excavations = [32] => | archaeologists = [33] => | condition = [34] => | ownership = [35] => | management = [36] => | public_access = [37] => | website = [38] => | notes = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site [39] => | child = yes [40] => | part_of = "[[Pyramid fields from Giza to Dahshur]]"; part of ''[[Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur]]'' [41] => | includes = {{flatlist| [42] => * [[Buried Pyramid]] [43] => * [[Gisr el-Mudir]] [44] => * [[Pyramid of Djoser]] [45] => * [[Mastabat al-Fir’aun]] [46] => * [[Pyramid of Userkaf]] [47] => * [[Pyramid of Djedkare Isesi]] [48] => * Tomb of [[Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum]] [49] => * [[Pyramid of Unas]] [50] => * [[Pyramid of Teti]] [51] => * [[Tomb of Akhethetep]] [52] => * [[Mortuary complex of Pepi I]] [53] => * [[Pyramid of Merenre]] [54] => * [[Tomb of Perneb]] [55] => * [[Pyramid of Khendjer]] [56] => * [[Serapeum of Saqqara]] [57] => }} [58] => | criteria = {{UNESCO WHS type|(i), (iii), (vi)}}(i), (iii), (vi) [59] => | ID = 86-002 [60] => | year =1979 [61] => | area = {{convert|16,203.36|ha|sqmi|abbr=on}} [62] => }} [63] => }} [64] => [65] => '''Saqqara''' ({{lang-ar|سقارة}}, {{IPA-arz|sɑʔːɑːɾɑ}}), also spelled '''Sakkara''' or '''Saccara''' in English {{IPAc-en|s|ə|ˈ|k|ɑr|ə}}, is an Egyptian village in the markaz (county) of [[Badrashin]] in the [[Giza Governorate]],{{Cite web |title=Markaz al-Badrashin Map |url=http://www.giza.gov.eg/GovMaps/To-map13.aspx |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=www.giza.gov.eg}} that contains ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty, serving as the [[necropolis]] for the [[ancient Egypt]]ian capital, [[Memphis, Egypt|Memphis]].{{cite web |url=http://pleiades.stoa.org/places/796289136 |title=Places: 796289136 (Saqqarah) |author=Fernandez, I., J. Becker, S. Gillies |date=19 August 2020 |access-date=March 22, 2013|publisher=Pleiades}} Saqqara contains numerous pyramids, including the [[Pyramid of Djoser]], sometimes referred to as the Step Tomb, and a number of [[mastaba]] tombs. Located some {{convert|30|km|0|abbr=on}} south of modern-day [[Cairo]], Saqqara covers an area of around {{convert|7|by|1.5|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}. [66] => [67] => Saqqara contains the oldest complete stone building complex known in history, the Pyramid of Djoser, built during the [[Third Dynasty of Egypt|Third Dynasty]]. Another sixteen Egyptian kings built pyramids at Saqqara, which are now in various states of preservation. High officials added private funeral monuments to this necropolis during the entire [[History of ancient Egypt|Pharaonic period]]. It remained an important complex for non-royal burials and cult ceremonies for more than 3000 years, well into [[Ptolemaic dynasty|Ptolemaic]] and [[ancient Rome|Roman]] times. [68] => [69] => North of the Saqqara site lies the [[Abusir]] pyramid complex, and to its south lies the [[Dahshur]] pyramid complex, which together with the [[Giza pyramid complex|Giza Pyramid complex]] to the far north comprise the Pyramid Fields of [[Memphis, Egypt|Memphis]], or the [[Memphite Necropolis]], which was designated as a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]] in 1979.{{cite web |title=Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/86 |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Convention |publisher=}} [70] => [71] => Some scholars believe that the name Saqqara is not derived from the ancient Egyptian funerary deity, [[Seker|Sokar]], but from a local [[Berbers|Berber]] tribe called the Beni Saqqar, despite the fact that a tribe of this name is not documented anywhere.Graindorge, Catherine, "Sokar". In Redford, Donald B., (ed) ''The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt'', vol. III, pp. 305–307.{{Cite journal |last=Peust |first=Carsten |date=2010 |title=Die Toponyme vorarabischen Ursprungs im modernen Ägypten: ein Katalog |url=http://www.peust.de/ortsnamen_original.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214075622/http://www.peust.de/ortsnamen_original.pdf |archive-date=2021-02-14 |url-status=live |journal=Göttinger Miszellen: Beihefte |publication-date=2010 |issue=8 |issn=1867-9455}} Medieval authors also refer to the village as '''Ard as-Sadr''' ({{Lang-ar|ارض السدر|lit=land of the buckthorn}}).{{Cite book |last=Stefan |first=Timm |title=Das christlich-koptische Agypten in arabischer Zeit |year=1988 |pages=2296}} [72] => [73] => [[File:P1060928_Louvre_Lamentations_enterrement_B57_rwk.JPG|thumb|Relief from tomb ([[Louvre]])]] [74] => [75] => ==History== [76] => {{Unreferenced section|date=August 2021}} [77] => [78] => ===Early Dynastic=== [79] => [[File:Saqqara map.jpg|thumb|Map of the site]] [80] => [[File:Egypt.Saqqara.Panorama.01.jpg|thumb|View of Saqqara necropolis, including [[Djoser]]'s [[Pyramid of Djoser|step pyramid]] (centre), the [[Pyramid of Unas]] (left) and the [[Pyramid of Userkaf]] (right)]] [81] => [[File:Oralfixation.jpg|thumb|https://archive.org/details/the-mastaba-of-ptahhetep-and-akhethetep-at-saqqareh-ix/page/n127/mode/2up?view=theater]] [82] => [83] => {{nowrap|The earliest burials}} of nobles can be traced back to the [[First dynasty of Egypt|First Dynasty]], at the northern side of the Saqqara plateau. During this time, the royal burial ground was at [[Abydos, Egypt|Abydos]]. The first royal burials at Saqqara, comprising underground galleries, date to the early [[Second dynasty of Egypt|Second Dynasty]] reigns of [[Hotepsekhemwy]], [[Raneb]] and [[Nynetjer]]. This is followed by a hiatus, with [[Seth-Peribsen]] and [[Khasekhemwy]], the last Second Dynasty king, both buried in Abydos. Khasekhemwy may nonetheless also have built a funerary monument at Saqqara consisting of a large rectangular enclosure, known as [[Gisr el-Mudir]], although this enclosure could also belong to Nynetjer. It probably inspired the monumental enclosure wall around the Step Pyramid complex. Djoser's funerary complex, built by the royal architect [[Imhotep]], further comprises a large number of dummy buildings and a secondary mastaba (the so-called 'Southern Tomb'). French architect and Egyptologist [[Jean-Philippe Lauer]] spent the greater part of his life excavating and restoring Djoser's funerary complex. [84] => [85] => ====Early Dynastic monuments==== [86] => * Tomb of king Hotepsekhemwy and Raneb [87] => * [[Nynetjer#Tomb|Tomb of king Nynetjer]] [88] => * [[Buried Pyramid]], funerary complex of king [[Sekhemkhet]] [89] => * [[Gisr el-Mudir]], funerary complex of a Second Dynasty king, possibly Nynetjer or Khasekhemwy [90] => * [[Pyramid of Djoser|Step Pyramid]], funerary complex of king [[Djoser]] [91] => [[File:Saqqara BW 1.jpg|thumb|right|Funerary complex of Djoser]] [92] => [93] => ===Old Kingdom=== [94] => [[File:Ägyptisches Museum Kairo 2016-03-29 Ka-aper 01.jpg|thumb|Wooden statue of the scribe [[Kaaper]], 4th or 5th dynasty of the [[Old Kingdom]], from Saqqara, c. 2500 BC]] [95] => [96] => Nearly all [[Fourth dynasty of Egypt|Fourth Dynasty]] kings chose a different location for their [[Egyptian pyramids|pyramids]]. During the second half of the [[Old Kingdom]], under the [[Fifth dynasty of Egypt|Fifth]] and [[Sixth dynasty of Egypt|Sixth]] Dynasties, Saqqara was again the royal burial ground. The Fifth and Sixth Dynasty pyramids are not built wholly of massive stone blocks, but instead with a core consisting of rubble. Consequently, they are less well preserved than the world-famous pyramids built by the Fourth Dynasty kings at [[Giza Necropolis|Giza]]. [[Unas]], the last ruler of the Fifth Dynasty, was the first king to adorn the chambers in his pyramid with [[Pyramid Texts]]. During the Old Kingdom, it was customary for courtiers to be buried in mastaba tombs close to the pyramid of their king. Thus, clusters of private tombs were formed in Saqqara around the pyramid complexes of Unas and [[Teti]]. [97] => [98] => ====Old Kingdom monuments==== [99] => *[[Mastabat al-Fir'aun]], tomb of king [[Shepseskaf]] (Dynasty Four) [100] => *[[Pyramid of Userkaf]] of the Fifth Dynasty [101] => *[[Pyramid of Djedkare Isesi]] [102] => *Pyramid of king [[Menkauhor Kaiu|Menkauhor]] [103] => *[[Mastaba of Ti]] [104] => *Mastaba of [[Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum]] [105] => *[[Pyramid of Unas]] [106] => *Mastaba of [[Ptahhotep]] [107] => *[[Pyramid of Teti]] (Dynasty Six) [108] => *Mastaba of [[Mereruka]] [109] => *Mastaba of [[Kagemni]] [110] => *[[Tomb of Akhethetep|Mastaba of Akhethetep]] [111] => *[[Pyramid of Pepi I]] [112] => *[[Pyramid of Merenre]] [113] => *Pyramid complex of king [[Pepi II Neferkare]] [114] => *[[Tomb of Perneb]] (now in the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] of New York) [115] => [116] => ====First Intermediate Period monuments==== [117] => *[[Qakare Ibi#Pyramid complex|Pyramid]] of king [[Qakare Ibi|Ibi]] (Dynasty Eight) [118] => [119] => ===Middle Kingdom=== [120] => From the [[Middle Kingdom of Egypt|Middle Kingdom]] onward, Memphis was no longer the capital of the country, and kings built their funerary complexes elsewhere. Few private monuments from this period have been found at Saqqara. [121] => [122] => ====Second Intermediate Period monuments==== [123] => *[[Pyramid of Khendjer|Pyramid]] of king [[Khendjer]] (Dynasty Thirteen) [124] => *Pyramid of an unknown king [125] => [126] => ===New Kingdom=== [127] => [[File:S10.08 Sakkara, image 9639.jpg|thumbnail|right|Apis Tombs of the [[Serapeum of Saqqara]], passage with recesses that house sarcophagi for the bulls]] [128] => During the [[New Kingdom of Egypt|New Kingdom]], Memphis was an important administrative and military centre, being the capital after the Amarna Period. From the [[Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt|Eighteenth Dynasty]] onward, many high officials built tombs at Saqqara. While still a general, [[Horemheb]] built a large tomb here, although he later was buried as pharaoh in the [[Valley of the Kings]] at Thebes. Other important tombs belong to the vizier [[Aperel]], the vizier [[Neferronpet]], the artist [[Tomb of Thutmose|Thutmose]], and the wet-nurse of [[Tutankhamun]], [[Maia (nurse)|Maia]]. [129] => [130] => Many monuments from earlier periods were still standing, but dilapidated by this period. Prince [[Khaemweset]], son of Pharaoh [[Ramesses II]], made repairs to buildings at Saqqara. Among other things, he restored the [[Pyramid of Unas]] and added an inscription to its south face to commemorate the restoration. He enlarged the [[Serapeum of Saqqara|Serapeum]], the burial site of the mummified [[Apis (Egyptian mythology)|Apis bulls]], and was later buried in the catacombs. The Serapeum, containing one undisturbed interment of an Apis bull and the tomb of Khaemweset, were rediscovered by the French Egyptologist [[Auguste Mariette]] in 1851. [131] => [132] => ====New Kingdom monuments==== [133] => *Several clusters of tombs of high officials, among which the tombs of [[Horemheb]] and of [[Maya (Egyptian)|Maya]] and Merit. Reliefs and statues from these two tombs are on display in the [[Rijksmuseum van Oudheden|National Museum of Antiquities]] at Leiden, the Netherlands, and in the [[British Museum]], London. [134] => [135] => ===After the New Kingdom=== [136] => During the periods after the New Kingdom, when several cities in the [[Nile Delta|Delta]] served as capital of Egypt, Saqqara remained in use as a burial ground for nobles. Moreover, the area became an important destination for pilgrims to a number of cult centres. Activities sprang up around the Serapeum, and extensive underground galleries were cut into the rock as burial sites for large numbers of mummified ibises, baboons, cats, dogs, and falcons. [137] => [138] => ====Monuments of the Late Period, the Graeco-Roman and later periods==== [139] => *Several shaft tombs of officials of the [[Late Period of ancient Egypt|Late Period]] [140] => *[[Serapeum of Saqqara|Serapeum]] (the larger part dating to the [[Ptolemaic dynasty|Ptolemaeic Period]]) [141] => *The so-called 'Philosophers circle', a monument to important [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] thinkers and poets, consisting of statues of [[Hesiod]], [[Homer]], [[Pindar]], [[Plato]], and others (Ptolemaeic) [142] => *Several [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic]] monasteries, among which the [[Monastery of Apa Jeremias]] ([[Egypt (Roman province)#Byzantine Egypt|Byzantine]] and [[Muslim conquest of Egypt|Early Islamic]] Periods) [143] => [144] => ==Site looting during 2011 protests== [145] => Saqqara and the surrounding areas of Abusir and Dahshur suffered damage by looters during the [[2011 Egyptian protests]]. Store rooms were broken into, but the monuments were mostly unharmed.{{cite web |date=August 2021 |title=Egyptological Looting Database 2011 |url=http://egyptopaedia.com/2011/pyramid-fields/saqqar |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-02-03 |archive-date=2012-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319185909/http://egyptopaedia.com/2011/pyramid-fields/saqqar }}{{cite web |title=Saqqara.nl |url=http://www.saqqara.nl/news/old-news-about-the-saqqara-situation }}{{dead link|date=September 2023}} [146] => [147] => ==Recent Discoveries== [148] => [149] => ===2010s=== [150] => During routine excavations in 2011 at the dog catacomb in Saqqara necropolis, an excavation team led by [[Salima Ikram]] and an international team of researchers led by Paul Nicholson of [[Cardiff University]] uncovered almost eight million animal mummies at the burial site next to the sacred temple of [[Anubis]].{{Cite news |date=2015-07-04 |title=Millions Of Mummified Dogs Found In Ancient Egyptian Catacombs |language=en |website=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2015/07/04/418079713/millions-of-mummified-dogs-found-in-ancient-egyptian-catacombs |access-date=2020-06-28}}{{Cite web |last=Geggel |first=Laura |date=18 June 2015 |title=8 Million Dog Mummies Found in 'God of Death' Mass Grave |url=https://www.livescience.com/51232-millions-of-dog-mummies-found.html |access-date=2020-06-28 |website=LiveScience |language=en}} It is thought that the mummified animals, mostly dogs, were intended to pass on the prayers of their owners to their deities.{{Cite web |last=El-Aref |first=Nevine |date=2 January 2013 |title=Eight million dog mummies found in Saqqara |url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/61381/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Eight-million-dog-mummies-found-in-Saqqara.aspx |access-date=2020-09-20 |website=Ahram Online |language=en}} [151] => [152] => In July 2018, German-Egyptian researchers’ team head by Ramadan Badry Hussein of the [[University of Tübingen]] 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 last time a similar mask was found was in 1939.{{Cite web |last=Starr |first=Michelle |date=2018-07-16 |title=Archaeologists Have Uncovered a Place Where The Ancient Egyptians Mummifed Their Dead |url=https://www.sciencealert.com/saqqara-egypt-necropolis-mummification-workshop-silver-funerary-mask |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=ScienceAlert |language=en-US}} The eyes were covered with [[obsidian]], [[calcite]], and black hued [[gemstone]] possibly [[onyx]]. "The finding of this mask could be called a sensation. Very few masks of precious metal have been preserved to the present day, because the tombs of most Ancient Egyptian dignitaries were looted in ancient times." said Hussein.{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Markus |date=2018-07-16 |title=Researchers discover gilded mummy mask |url=https://www.heritagedaily.com/2018/07/researchers-discover-gilded-mummy-mask/120943 |access-date=2020-05-10 |website=HeritageDaily |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Mandal |first1=Dattatreya |date=2018-07-16 |title=The Mummy With The Silver Gilded Mask – Discovered In Saqqara, Egypt |url=https://www.realmofhistory.com/2018/07/16/mummy-silver-gilded-mask-saqqara-egypt/ |access-date=2020-05-10 |website=Realm of History |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930162117/https://www.realmofhistory.com/2018/07/16/mummy-silver-gilded-mask-saqqara-egypt/ |url-status=dead }} [153] => [154] => In September 2018, several dozen cache of mummies dating 2,000 years back were found by a team of Polish archaeologists led by Kamil Kuraszkiewicz from the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the [[University of Warsaw]].{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=27 June 2019 |title=Polish archeologists uncover Egyptian mummies |url=https://tvpworld.com/43249026/polish-archeologists-uncover-egyptian-mummies |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=TVP World |language=en}} The Polish-Egyptian expedition works under the auspices of the [[Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw]].{{Cite web |title=Saqqara |url=https://pcma.uw.edu.pl/en/2019/02/03/saqqara/ |access-date=2020-08-18 |website=Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology}} Investigations were carried out for over two decades in the area to the west of the [[Djoser]] Pyramid. The most important discoveries include the tomb of vizier [[Merefnebef]] with a funerary chapel decorated with multi-colored reliefs, which was uncovered in 1997.{{Cite book|last1=Myśliwiec|first1=K.|title=Saqqara I. The Tomb of Merefnebef.|last2=Kuraszkiewicz|first2=K. O.|last3=Czerwik|first3=D.|last4=Rzeuska|first4=T.|last5=Kaczmarek|first5=M.|last6=Kowalska|first6=A.|last7=Radomska|first7=M.|last8=Godziejewski|first8=Z.|publisher=Zaś Pan, PCMA UW, Neriton|year=2004|location=Varsovie}} as well as the tomb of courtier [[Nyankhnefertem]] uncovered in 2003.{{Cite book|last1=Myśliwiec|first1=K.|title=Saqqara IV. The Funerary Complex of Nyankhnefertem.|last2=Kuraszkiewicz|first2=K.|publisher=Zaś Pan, PCMA UW, Neriton|year=2010|location=Varsovie}} The expedition also explored two necropoles. Archaeologists revealed several dozen graves of noblemen from the period of the [[Sixth Dynasty of Egypt|6th Dynasty]], dating to the 24th–21st century BC, and 500 graves of indigent people dating approximately to the 6th century BC – 1st century AD. Most of the bodies were poorly preserved and all organic materials, including the wooden caskets, had decayed.{{Cite web |last=Zdzieblowski |first=Szymon |date=1 July 2019 |title=Dozens of mummies discovered by Polish archaeologists next to the world's oldest pyramid |url=http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C77724%2Cdozens-mummies-discovered-polish-archaeologists-next-worlds-oldest-pyramid.html |access-date=2019-09-23 |website=Science in Poland |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Chatham |first=Anne |date=June 28, 2019 |title=Dozens of mummies dating back 2,000 years found next to world's oldest pyramid |url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/dozens-of-mummies-dating-back-2000-years-found-next-to-worlds-oldest-pyramid-6545 |access-date=2019-09-23 |website=The First News |language=en}} The tombs discovered most recently (in 2018) form part of the younger, so-called Upper Necropolis.{{Cite web|last=Kuraszkiewicz|first=K. O.|date=2018|title=2018 Campaign|url=http://saqqara.uw.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/sites/213/2019/06/PEAMS-2018.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224102554/http://saqqara.uw.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/sites/213/2019/06/PEAMS-2018.pdf |archive-date=2020-12-24 |url-status=live|website=Polish-Egyptian Archaeological Mission Saqqara}} [155] => [156] => {{Blockquote|text=Most of the mummies we discovered last season were very modest, they were only subjected to basic embalming treatments, wrapped in bandages and placed directly in pits dug in the sand|sign=Kamil Kuraszkiewicz.|source=|title=}} [157] => [158] => The research of the Polish-Egyptian expedition also focuses on the interpretation of the so-called Dry Moat, a vast trench hewn around the Djoser Pyramid. The most recent discoveries confirm the hypothesis that the Dry Moat was a model of the pharaoh's journey to the netherworld, a road the deceased ruler had to follow to attain eternal life.{{Cite web|last=Szulc-Kajak|first=Agnieszka|date=2019|title=Sakkara – nowe odkrycia, nowe interpretacje|url=https://pcma.uw.edu.pl/2019/10/25/sakkara-nowe-odkrycia-nowe-interpretacje/|website=PCMA UW}}{{Cite web|last=Zdziebłowski|first=Szymon|title=Egyptologist: The trench surrounding the oldest pyramid of Egypt was a model of the way to the afterlife|url=https://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C77690%2Cegyptologist-trench-surrounding-oldest-pyramid-egypt-was-model-way-afterlife.html|access-date=2020-08-18|website=Science in Poland|language=en}} [159] => [160] => 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 Dynasty of Egypt|Fifth]] and [[Sixth Dynasty of Egypt|Sixth]] Dynasties,{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/11/middleeast/egypt-tombs-cat-mummies-scarab-beetles/index.html | title=Dozens of cat mummies, rare beetles discovered in Egyptian tombs | website=[[CNN]] | date=11 November 2018 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-archaeology-discovery/ancient-egyptian-tombs-yield-rare-find-of-mummified-scarab-beetles-idUSKCN1NF0KY|title=Ancient Egyptian tombs yield rare find of mummified scarab beetles|work=Reuters|date=11 November 2018}} while one of four other [[Sarcophagus|sarcophagi]] was unsealed. Among the dozens of cat mummies were 100 wooden and gilded statues of cats and one in bronze dedicated to the cat goddess Bastet, and funerary items dating back to the [[Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt|12th Dynasty]].{{Cite web|url=https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/11/12/mummified-cats-found/|title=Dozens of Mummified Cats Found in 6,000-yr-old Egyptian Tombs|date=2018-11-12|website=The Vintage News|language=en|access-date=2019-09-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/nov/11/dozens-of-cat-mummies-found-in-6000-year-old-tombs-in-egypt|title=Dozens of cat mummies found in 6,000-year-old tombs in Egypt|website=The Guardian|date=11 November 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.brecorder.com/2018/11/12/452010/dozens-of-mummified-cats-beetles-unearthed-in-6000-year-old-egyptian-tombs/|title=Dozens of mummified cats, beetles unearthed in 6,000-year-old Egyptian tombs|date=2018-11-12|website=Business Recorder|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-19}} Another of the seven tombs belongs to Khufu-Imhat, the overseer of buildings in the royal palace. [161] => [162] => Also in November 2018, a collection of rare mummified scarab beetles was unearthed in two sarcophagi, one of which was decorated with paintings of large black beetles. [163] => [164] => 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{{cite web |url= https://www.livescience.com/64317-saqqara-tomb-hidden-shafts-discovered.html |title= 4,400-Year-Old Tomb of 'Divine Inspector' with Hidden Shafts Discovered in Egypt |author= Owen Jarus |date= December 15, 2018 |work= [[Live Science]] |access-date= December 15, 2018 |quote= Wahtye was a high-ranking priest who carried the title of divine inspector, said [[Mostafa Waziri]], the general secretary of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities who led the Egyptian team that discovered the tomb... }} who served under King [[Neferirkare Kakai]] during the [[Fifth Dynasty of Egypt|Fifth Dynasty]], and his wife, four children and mother.Brice-Saddler, Michael, "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2018/12/16/look-inside-one-kind-year-old-tomb-discovered-egypt/?wpisrc=nl_evening&wpmm=1 Look inside a ‘one of a kind,' 4,400-year-old tomb discovered in Egypt]", ''The Washington Post'', December 16, 2018.Williams, A. R. (December 17, 2018). "Untouched 4,400-year-old tomb discovered at Saqqara, Egypt". National Geographic. Retrieved December 17, 2018."Egypt tomb: Saqqara 'one of a kind' discovery revealed". BBC News. December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2018.Daragahi, Borzou (December 17, 2018). "Untouched 'one-of-a-kind' ancient tomb belonging to 'divine inspector' uncovered in Egypt". The Independent. Retrieved December 17, 2018. The tomb is about {{convert|33|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} long by {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} wide and has five burial shafts and a basement.{{cite web| url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/egypt-saqqara-tomb/index.html| title=4,400-year-old tomb discovered in Egypt | website=[[CNN]]| date=16 December 2018 }} It contains more than fifty sculptures, and is painted with scenes of the family, wine and pottery making, musical performances, sailing, hunting, and furniture making. [165] => [166] => On 13 April 2019, an expedition led by a member of the [[Czech Republic|Czech]] Institute of [[Egyptology]], 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 [[Fifth Dynasty of Egypt|5th Dynasty]].{{Cite web|url=https://www.geek.com/news/newly-discovered-4000-year-old-egyptian-tomb-stuns-archaeologists-1783165/|title=Newly Discovered 4,000-Year Old Egyptian Tomb Stuns Archaeologists|date=2019-04-15|website=Geek.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-23|archive-date=2020-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224101538/https://www.pcmag.com/news|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/egypt-paintings-color-scli-intl/index.html|title=Colorful tomb puzzles Egypt archaeologists|first=Jack |last=Guy|date=2019-04-15|website=CNN Travel|language=en|access-date=2019-04-23}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/science/egyptian-dignitary-colorful-tomb-discovery|title=Discovery of Egyptian dignitary's 4,000-year-old colorful tomb stuns archaeologists|last=Earl|first=Jennifer|date=2019-04-15|website=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-23}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/egypt-vivid-4-300-year-old-tomb-belonging-to-fifth-dynasty-senior-official-unveiled-11694402|title=Egypt: Vivid 4,300-year-old tomb belonging to Fifth Dynasty senior official unveiled|website=Sky News|language=en|access-date=2019-04-23}} "The L-shaped Khuwy tomb starts with a small corridor heading downwards into an antechamber and from there a larger chamber with painted reliefs depicting the tomb owner seated at an offerings table", reported Megahed. Some paintings maintained their brightness over a long time in the tomb. Mainly made of white limestone bricks, the tomb had a tunnel entrance generally typical for pyramids. Archaeologists say that there might be a connection between Khuwy and pharaoh because the mausoleum was found near the pyramid of Egyptian Pharaoh [[Djedkare Isesi]], who ruled during that time. [167] => [168] => In October 2019, a cache of 30 coffins with mummies was discovered, at the time Egypt's largest in more than a century and the first cache to be discovered by a solely Egyptian mission.{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/19/middleeast/egypt-discovers-coffins-mummies-trnd/index.html | title=Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancient coffins with mummies inside | website=[[CNN]] | date=20 October 2019 }} The coffins were stacked on top of each other and arranged in two rows about three feet below the sandy surface. The first coffin's head was partially exposed in the sand, which led to the cache's discovery. Two of the coffins belonged to children, a rare occurrence in archeology. [[Mostafa Waziri]], secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that one could identify the mummy's gender by the shape of the hands on the coffin, open hands being female and hands balled into fists being male. The colors of the coffin inscriptions---made from limestone, red oak, turquoise, and other natural stones mixed with eggwhites—stayed intact, and the mixture of egg yolk and candle wax spread over the coffins to make them shine was still visible, making this a unique find. [169] => [170] => ===2020s=== [171] => [172] => 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. Among them were 365 [[faience]] [[ushabti]] and a small wooden obelisk about 40 centimeters tall that had been painted with depictions of [[Horus]], [[Isis]] and [[Nepthys]].{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/ancient-egypt-discoveries-saqqara/index.html | title=Mummies discovered in burial shaft in Egypt | website=[[CNN]] | date=28 April 2020 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2554142418186206|title=تفاصيل الكشف الذي تم الإعلان عنه أمس ضمن الاحتفالات بيوم التراث العالمي: | تفاصيل الكشف الذي تم الإعلان عنه أمس ضمن احتفالات بيوم التراث العالمي Details of the new discovery announced yesterday online within the celebration of... | By Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities وزارة السياحة والآثار‎ | Facebook|website=www.facebook.com}} [173] => [174] => In September 2020, a {{convert|36|ft|m|adj=on|abbr=off|sp=us}} deep burial shaft revealed almost 30 sarcophagi that had remained completely sealed since their interment.{{cite web| url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/egypt-sarcophagi-discovery-intl-hnk-scli/index.html| title=Egyptian tomb in Saqqara necropolis found to contain huge cache of sealed sarcophagi | website=[[CNN]]| date=21 September 2020 }} [175] => [176] => On 3 October 2020, Khalid el-Anany, Egypt's tourism and antiquities minister announced the discovery of at least 59 sealed sarcophagi with mummies more than 2,600 years old. Archaeologists also revealed the 20 statues of [[Ptah|Ptah-Soker]] and a carved 35-centimeter tall bronze statue of god [[Nefertem]].{{Cite web|last=Magdy|first=Samy|title=Egypt reveals 59 ancient coffins found near Saqqara pyramids, many of which hold mummies|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2020/10/03/archeologists-unearthed-59-sealed-sarcophagi-egypt/3610284001/|access-date=2020-10-20|website=USA Today|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=59 sealed sarcophagi and mummies discovered in Egypt|url=https://www.slashgear.com/59-sealed-sarcophagi-and-mummies-discovered-in-egypt-06641162/|access-date=2020-10-20|website=SlashGear|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2020-10-03|title=Egyptian archaeologists unveil discovery of 59 sealed sarcophagi|url=https://arab.news/z64ny|access-date=2020-10-20|website=Arab News|language=en}} [177] => [178] => On 19 October 2020, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of gilded, wooden statues and more than 80 coffins in three burial shafts.{{Cite news|title=Egypt says another trove of ancient coffins found in Saqqara|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/egypt-trove-ancient-coffins-found-saqqara-73694700|access-date=2020-10-20|website=ABC News}}{{Cite news|last=Oct 19|agency=Associated Press |title=Egypt says another trove of ancient coffins found in Saqqara |newspaper=Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/egypt-says-another-trove-of-ancient-coffins-found-in-saqqara/articleshow/78752008.cms|access-date=2020-10-20}}{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/saqqara-sarcophagi-egypt/index.html | title=Archaeologists unearth 'huge number' of sealed Egyptian sarcophagi | website=[[CNN]] | date=20 October 2020 }} Officials believed the coffins contain senior officials and priests from the [[26th Dynasty of Egypt|26th Dynasty]]. [179] => [180] => In November 2020, archaeologists unearthed more than 100 delicately painted wooden coffins dating to the [[Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt|26th Dynasty]] and 40 statues of the local goddess Ptah Soker. Other artifacts discovered include funeral masks, canopic jars and 1,000 ceramic amulets.{{Cite news|last=Kwai|first=Isabella|date=2020-11-15|title=Egypt Unearths New Mummies Dating Back 2,500 Years|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/15/world/middleeast/egypt-discovery-mummies.html|access-date=2020-11-16|issn=0362-4331}} “This discovery is very important because it proves that Saqqara was the main burial of the [[Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt|26th Dynasty]],” said [[Zahi Hawass]], an Egyptologist and Egypt's former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-14|title=Egypt announces huge discovery of 100 human sealed coffins,40 impressive statues|url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/94209/Egypt-announces-huge-discovery-of-100-human-sealed-coffins-40|access-date=2021-01-20|website=EgyptToday}}{{Cite web|last=Cairo|first=Associated Press in|date=2020-11-14|title=Nearly 100 coffins buried over 2,500 years ago found in Egypt|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/14/nearly-100-coffins-buried-over-2500-years-ago-found-in-egypt|access-date=2021-01-20|website=the Guardian|language=en}} [181] => [182] => In January 2021, the tourism and antiquities ministry announced the discovery of more than 50 wooden sarcophagi in 52 burial shafts which date back to the New Kingdom period,{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/egypt-saqqara-coffins-intl-scli/index.html | title=Ancient coffins, burial sites and a funeral temple discovered in Saqqara necropolis will 'rewrite history' | website=[[CNN]] | date=17 January 2021 }}{{cite web | url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/398931.aspx | title=In Photos: Egyptian archaeological mission at Saqqara Necropolis announces new major discoveries - Ancient Egypt - Antiquities }} each around 30 to 40 feet deep, and a 13 ft-long [[papyrus]] that contains texts from Chapter 17 of the ''[[Book of the Dead]].'' The [[papyrus]] scroll belonged to a man named Bu-Khaa-Af, whose name is written on it, on his sarcophagus, and on four [[ushabti]]s.{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Kiona N.|date=2021-01-25|title=Egyptian archaeologists unearth dozens of tombs at Saqqara necropolis|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/egyptian-archaeologists-unearth-dozens-of-tombs-at-saqqara-necropolis/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us}} Excerpts from the Book of the Dead were also painted onto the surface of other coffins. Also found in the shafts were wooden funerary masks, board games, a shrine dedicated to god of the dead [[Anubis]], bird-shaped artifacts and a [[bronze]] axe. A limestone stelae dated to the reign of [[Ramesses II]] was found in one of the shafts, depicting the overseer of the king's military chariot Kha-Ptah and his wife Mwt-em-wia worshipping Osiris and sitting with six of their children. [183] => [184] => 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.{{Cite web|title=Queen's temple, 50 coffins, Book of Dead: Ancient Egypt trove 'remakes history' {{!}} The Times of Israel|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/book-of-the-dead-texts-unearthed-in-ancient-egypt-necropolis/amp/|access-date=2021-01-20|website=www.timesofisrael.com}}{{Cite web|date=17 Jan 2021 |title=Egypt makes 'major discoveries' at Saqqara archaeological site {{!}} Malay Mail|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2021/01/17/egypt-makes-major-discoveries-at-saqqara-archaeological-site/1941192|access-date=2021-01-20|website=www.malaymail.com}}{{Cite web|title=4,200-year-old queen's identity among remarkable new finds in Egypt|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saqqara-tomb-egypt-4000-year-old-queen-neit-id-remarkable-archaeology-discoveries/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=19 January 2021 |language=en-US}}{{cite web | url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/398931.aspx | title=In Photos: Egyptian archaeological mission at Saqqara Necropolis announces new major discoveries - Ancient Egypt - Antiquities }} Researchers also revealed that Narat's name was engraved on a fallen [[obelisk]] near the main entrance. Previously unknown to researchers, Naert was a wife of [[Teti]], the first king of the sixth dynasty.Davis-Marks, Isis, ''[https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-unearth-50-more-sarcophagi-saqqara-necropolis-180976794/ Archaeologists Unearth Egyptian Queen’s Tomb, 13-Foot ‘Book of the Dead’ Scroll]'', Smithsonian, January 21, 2021 [185] => [186] => In November 2021, archeologists from Cairo University discovered several tombs, including that of Batah-M-Woya, chief treasurer during the reign of [[Ramesses II]],{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/egypt-tomb-saqqara-scli-intl/index.html | title=Archaeologists in Egypt reveal tomb of Ramses II's chief treasurer | website=[[CNN]] | date=November 2021 }} and of a military leader named Hor Mohib. [187] => [188] => In March 2022, five 4000-year-old tombs belonging to senior officials from the [[Old Kingdom of Egypt|Old Kingdom]] and [[First Intermediate Period of Egypt|First Intermediary Period]] were discovered.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-17 |title=Egypt discovers five 4,000-year-old ancient tombs |url=https://english.news.cn/africa/20220317/0a0565d6d05a4200bbe429fa23a63053/c.html |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=[[Xinhua News Agency]]}}{{Cite news |date=2022-03-20 |title=Archaeologists discover five tombs in Egypt's Saqqara necropolis |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/archaeologists-discover-five-tombs-egypts-saqqara-necropolis-2022-03-19/ |access-date=2022-03-21}} 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''.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2022/05/30/egypt-unveils-major-find-of-250-sarcophagi-and-150-statues-in-saqqara/ |title=Egypt unveils major find of 250 sarcophagi and 150 statuettes in Saqqara |website=The National |date=30 May 2022 }} [189] => [190] => 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. According to [[University of Warsaw]]’s [[Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw|Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology]], the elaborately decorated tomb belonged to a man named Mehtjetju who served as a priest and an inspector of the royal property. Kamil O. Kuraszkiewicz, expedition director stated that Mehtjetju most likely lived at about the same time, at some point during the reigns of the first three rulers of the [[Sixth Dynasty of Egypt|Sixth Dynasty]]: [[Teti]], [[Userkare]] and [[Pepi I Meryre|Pepy I]].{{Cite web |last1=Magazine |first1=Smithsonian |last2=Kuta |first2=Sarah |title=Archaeologists in Egypt Unearth 4,300-Year-Old Tomb of Man Who Handled His Pharaoh's 'Secret Documents' |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-egypt-unearth-4300-year-old-tomb-of-egyptian-dignitary-who-handled-secret-documents-pharaoh-180980120/ |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}{{Cite web |author1=Owen Jarus |date=2022-05-16 |title=Tomb of ancient Egyptian dignitary who read top secret documents discovered |url=https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egyptian-tomb-royal-official |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=livescience.com |language=en}} [191] => [192] => 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/egypt-unveils-4300-year-old-mummy-tombs/a-64530366 |title=Egypt unveils 4,300-year-old mummy, tombs |website=DW |date=26 January 2023 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/26/archaeologist-hails-possibly-oldest-mummy-yet-found-in-egypt |title=Archaeologist hails possibly oldest mummy yet found in Egypt |website=The Guardian |date=26 January 2023 }} [193] => [194] => In April 2024, a [[rock-cut tomb]] dating back to the [[Second Dynasty of Egypt|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 of ancient Egypt|Late Period]], the [[Ptolemaic period]], and the [[Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt|18th Dynasty]]. Among the findings were remains of an adult with a colored mask and a small child, in addition to two terracotta statues depicting [[Isis]] and [[Harpocrates]].{{Cite web |last=Independent |first=Egypt |date=2024-01-04 |title=Photos: Egyptian-Japanese mission uncovers new rock tomb at Saqqara necropolis |url=https://cloudflare.egyptindependent.com/photos-egyptian-japanese-mission-uncovers-new-rock-tomb-at-saqqara-necropolis/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Egypt Independent |language=en-US}} [195] => [196] => ==See also== [197] => *[[Bubasteum]] [198] => *[[List of Egyptian pyramids]] [199] => *[[Saqqara Bird]] [200] => *[[Saqqara Tablet]] [201] => *''[[Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb]]'', 2020 documentary [202] => [203] => ==References== [204] => {{Reflist}} [205] => [206] => ==External links== [207] => {{Commons category}} [208] => *[http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090703112911/http://www.ancient-egypt.org/topography/saqqara/index.html Information on Saqqara] [209] => *[http://www.saqqara.nl Saqqara.nl (Friends of Saqqara Foundation)] [210] => *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6379431.stm Discoveries on the site from February 2007] [211] => *[http://www.sas.upenn.edu/aamw/resources/fieldwork/#Saqqara%20%28Egypt%29 University of Pennsylvania Museum excavations at Saqqara] [212] => *[http://www.historvius.com/saqqara-50/ Saqqara Information - Historvius] [213] => [214] => {{Memphis Necropolis}} [215] => {{Ancient Egypt topics}} [216] => {{Authority control}} [217] => [218] => [[Category:Saqqara| ]] [219] => [[Category:Giza Governorate]] [220] => [[Category:Memphis, Egypt]] [221] => [[Category:Tourist attractions in Egypt]] [] => )
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Saqqara

Saqqara is a vast archaeological site in Egypt, located about 30 kilometers south of Cairo. It is home to the Saqqara Necropolis, which served as the burial ground for Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt.

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It is home to the Saqqara Necropolis, which served as the burial ground for Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its numerous pyramids, tombs, and other structures, offering a glimpse into the rich history and cultural traditions of ancient Egypt. The site's most famous structure is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built during the 27th century BCE by the architect Imhotep. This imposing pyramid, with its stepped design, revolutionized architectural techniques and marked the transition from mastaba tombs to pyramids. Saqqara also contains many other pyramids, including those of Teti, Userkaf, and Unas, each representing different dynasties and pharaohs. Apart from the pyramids, the Saqqara Necropolis is known for its elaborate tombs and burial chambers. The Mastaba of Ti, the Tomb of Ptahhotep, and the Tomb of Mereruka are prime examples of the intricate funerary complexes found at the site. These tombs provide valuable insights into ancient Egyptian beliefs, daily life, and social hierarchy. Saqqara also features various temples, such as the Pyramid of Teti Complex and the Serapeum, a burial place for the Apis bulls worshipped as divine representations. The monumental Serapeum includes a series of subterranean galleries where the bull sarcophagi were housed. Excavations and research at Saqqara have played a crucial role in understanding ancient Egyptian history. Archaeologists have uncovered numerous artifacts, reliefs, and inscriptions that shed light on the religious ceremonies, artistic styles, and architectural techniques of the time. The remains of animals and sacred objects found at the site give further insights into the rituals and religious practices of ancient Egyptians. With its wealth of cultural heritage, Saqqara continues to be a significant tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world. Its historical and archaeological significance, as well as its remarkable architectural achievements, have cemented Saqqara as an important site for the study and appreciation of ancient Egypt.

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