4,300-Year-Old Mummy Hekashepes Discovered in Saqqara

A team led by former Egyptian antiquities minister Zahi Hawass has unearthed a mummy at Saqqara, near Cairo, believed to be the oldest ever found. The mummy, named Hekashepes, dates back 4,300 years to the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties (2465–2152 BCE). It was discovered in a limestone sarcophagus sealed with mortar, 15 meters deep, and is decorated with gold leaf. The find is part of a larger excavation revealing four tombs belonging to high-ranking individuals, including Khnumdjedef, an inspector of officials and priest during King Unas's reign; Meri, a palace official and 'keeper of secrets'; and a judge named Fetek. The tombs feature wall paintings and grave goods such as vases and large statues. The discovery provides insight into the lives of those surrounding the pharaohs. Saqqara, a UNESCO site, previously yielded 20 painted coffins in 2020. Meanwhile, another team in Luxor announced a Roman-era residential city founded between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. The finds heighten anticipation for the Grand Egyptian Museum's opening later this year.