Ancient Egyptian priest’s tomb discovered in Giza
October 19th, 2010 - 6:02 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Oct 19 (ANI): Archaeologists have discovered the tomb of a pharaonic priest, which is more than 4,000 years old, near the Giza pyramids.
Egypt’s authorities announced that the beautifully decorated, the burial site is located near the tombs of the pyramid-builders.
The tomb belonged to Rudj-Ka, a priest who lived during the fifth dynasty (2465 - 2323 B.C.) and was responsible for the mortuary cult of the pharaoh Khafre, also known as Chephren.
The son of Khufu, or Cheops, the Fourth Dynasty king Khafre is best known as the owner of the second largest of the Giza Pyramids.
According to Zahi Hawass, general secretary of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, Khafre’s pyramid complex and mortuary cult remained functioning well after the king’s death, thanks to a group of priests who conducted rituals and prayers in honour of the dead pharaoh and Rudj-Ka was one of those priests.
Built from limestone blocks, which create a maze-like pathway to the main entrance, Rudj-Ka’s tomb is cut directly into a cliff face and boasts walls painted with beautiful scenes of daily life in ancient Egypt.
A wall painting shows Rudj-ka fishing and sailing whereas another scene portrays the priest and his wife in front of an offering table loaded with gifts of bread, goose and cattle.
According to Hawass, the discovery might indicate that an unknown larger necropolis lies near the three famous pyramids.
“This tomb could be the first of many in the area. Hopefully we have located a new necropolis dedicated to certain members of the royal court,” Discovery News quoted Hawass as saying in a statement.
He also speculated that the area could be a continuation of the western necropolis at Giza, which may have resulted from overcrowding in the Giza plateau. (ANI)
- Egypt unearths 4,500-year-old tomb - Oct 19, 2010
- Ancient walls that protected Sphinx from desert winds uncovered - Nov 03, 2010
- Colourful ancient tombs unearthed in Egypt - Jul 08, 2010
- Egypt's pyramids point towards city of Sun God - Apr 01, 2009
- Tomb of King Tut's wife may emerge in 2011 - Jan 04, 2011
- Attempt to steal pharaoh's statue foiled in Egypt - Feb 25, 2011
- 5,000-year-old wooden boat discovered in Egypt - Jul 26, 2012
- How Egyptians erected their giant pyramids - Sep 26, 2010
- Headless granite statue of ancient Egypt king discovered - May 05, 2010
- Pharaohs' tombs in Egypt may disappear in 150yrs, warns head of antiquities - Aug 19, 2009
- Pyramid builders were labourers, not slaves, reveal newly found Egyptian tombs - Jan 11, 2010
- Statue of King Tut's grandfather unearthed - Nov 07, 2010
- 4,000 yrs old brightly painted mummies found in Egypt necropolis - Apr 14, 2009
- 3,300-year-old tomb of army chief discovered in 'City of the Dead' - May 31, 2010
- Archaeologists discover huge 2,500-year-old tomb near Cairo - Jan 05, 2010
Tags: archaeologists, burial site, cliff face, daily life in ancient egypt, dead pharaoh, discovery news, dynasty king, egyptian priest, fifth dynasty, giza plateau, giza pyramids egypt, khufu, king khafre, life in ancient egypt, limestone blocks, overcrowding, pyramid builders, supreme council of antiquities, wall painting, western necropolis