In the shadowed recesses of Saqqara, just a stone’s throw from Cairo, a cryptic relic from over 4,400 years ago was unearthed. This ancient enclave, part of the vast Saqqara pyramid complex, whispered tales of antiquity.
In an unveiling to select onlookers and AFP correspondents, the Antiquities Custodian, Khaled al-Enany, shared the mystery, “A haven of vivid art and ancient carvings, it dates back over 4,400 years, once a resting place for a revered high priest.”
Sheltered beneath Saqqara’s age-old ridge, the tomb lay dormant, untouched by the ravages of time or the greed of tomb raiders. Mostafa Waziri, the guardian of Egypt’s ancient secrets, revealed to the entranced listeners that this sepulcher had never been disturbed since its creation. This land of Saqqara, after all, held the memories of Memphis, the heart of ancient Egypt for countless centuries.
The sanctuary whispered the name “Wahtye,” a high priest who lived in the shadows of King Neferirkare during the fifth dynasty.
Measuring 10 meters in its expanse, and close to 3 meters in both width and height, this tomb was a canvas of tales. Ancient hieroglyphics adorned its walls, alongside timeless sculptures of the pharaohs. Waziri, with a hint of astonishment in his voice, remarked on the extraordinary preservation of the colors, still vibrant after millennia.
Upon clearing the final protective layer, five mystical shafts emerged from within the tomb’s heart. While four remained sealed, guarding their mysteries, one lay open, eerily vacant. Waziri, his eyes filled with anticipation, hinted at the untold treasures that might lie within the sealed passages. One, in particular, beckoned with promise. “This could be the path leading us to the final resting place of Wahtye,” he mused.
In a revelation last November, seven crypts, some as ancient as 6,000 years, were brought to light in Saqqara by the very hands that now unveiled Wahtye’s sanctuary. Within them lay mummified creatures, both feline and scarab, tributes to the gods.
In the midst of these revelations stands the revered Djoser pyramid, an architectural marvel from 4,600 years past. This monument, the creation of the famed Imhotep for Pharaoh Djoser, once touched the skies at 62 meters and is believed to be the first structure crafted purely of stone.
Egypt, in its quest to reconnect with the world, has unveiled numerous such mysteries this year.
With every discovery, there’s a hope to reignite the world’s passion for Egypt’s enigmatic past, beckoning travelers who once thronged its ancient wonders, but were deterred by the winds of political change in 2011.
