Egypt has announced the discovery of a private tomb belonging to a senior official from the 5th dynasty of the pharaohs, which ruled roughly 4,400 years ago.
Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani announced the find at the site of the tomb in Saqqara, just west of Cairo, which is also home to the famed Step Pyramid.
He was quoted as saying that the "exceptionally well-preserved" tomb contains scores of statues of different sizes and colors. "It belongs to a high official priest... (and) is more than 4,400 years old.”
The tomb belongs to "Wahtye", a high priest who served during the fifth dynasty reign of King Neferirkare, the ministry said.
His tomb is decorated with scenes showing the royal priest alongside his mother, wife and other members of his family, it said in a statement.
