Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – Archaeologists working in Saqqara, Egypt, have announced the discovery of the tomb of Prince Waser-If-Re, son of King Userkaf, the founding monarch of Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty.
Credit: Supreme Council of Antiquities
This significant find, hailed as a groundbreaking discovery in the Saqqara necropolis, includes several artifacts from both the Old Kingdom and the Late Period. An entirely Egyptian team made the discovery, which has been praised by Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy. He described it as a “milestone in uncovering new layers of Egypt’s rich and ancient history,” emphasizing national pride in such achievements.
One notable aspect is a massive false door made from pink granite—the first found in Egypt for its size and material, standing 4.5 meters tall and 1.15 meters wide. It features hieroglyphic inscriptions detailing Prince Waser-If-Re’s titles such as “Hereditary Prince,” “Governor of Buto and Nekheb,” “Royal Scribe,” “Vizier,” “Judge,” and “Chanting Priest.”
Credit: Supreme Council of Antiquities
Additionally, Zahi Hawass reported that a statue ensemble depicting King Djoser with his wife and ten daughters was discovered for the first time. Preliminary analysis indicates these statues were originally located near Djoser’s Step Pyramid but were moved to Prince Waser-If-Re’s tomb during the Late Period; researchers are investigating why this transfer occurred.
Credit: Supreme Council of Antiquities
Credit: Supreme Council of Antiquities
Other significant finds include a red granite offering table with detailed lists of ritual offerings inscribed on it, measuring 92.5 cm in diameter; a black granite statue standing at 1.17 meters tall inscribed with its owner’s name and titles believed to date back to Egypt’s 26th Dynasty; suggesting later repurposing of the tomb.
A secondary entrance on the eastern façade bears inscriptions related to Prince Waser-If-Re and King Neferirkare’s cartouche. Inside, thirteen statues carved from pink granite—the first found at Saqqara—are seated on high-backed chairs representing wives or family members alongside two headless figures and another toppled black granite statue measuring approximately 1.35 meters.
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Excavations continue at what is now considered one of the Saqqara region’s most distinctive tombs, contributing valuable insights into understanding dynastic transitions and cultural developments throughout ancient Egyptian history.
Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer