Editing Saqqara (section)

===2010s===
During routine excavations in 2011 at the dog catacomb in Saqqara necropolis, an excavation team led by [[Salima Ikram]] and an international team of researchers led by Paul Nicholson of [[Cardiff University]] uncovered almost eight million animal mummies at the burial site next to the sacred temple of [[Anubis]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-07-04 |title=Millions Of Mummified Dogs Found In Ancient Egyptian Catacombs |language=en |website=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2015/07/04/418079713/millions-of-mummified-dogs-found-in-ancient-egyptian-catacombs |access-date=2020-06-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Geggel |first=Laura |date=18 June 2015 |title=8 Million Dog Mummies Found in 'God of Death' Mass Grave |url=https://www.livescience.com/51232-millions-of-dog-mummies-found.html |access-date=2020-06-28 |website=LiveScience |language=en}}</ref> It is thought that the mummified animals, mostly dogs, were intended to pass on the prayers of their owners to their deities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=El-Aref |first=Nevine |date=2 January 2013 |title=Eight million dog mummies found in Saqqara |url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/61381/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Eight-million-dog-mummies-found-in-Saqqara.aspx |access-date=2020-09-20 |website=Ahram Online |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2018, German-Egyptian researchers’ team head by Ramadan Badry Hussein of the [[University of Tübingen]] reported the discovery of an extremely rare gilded burial mask that probably dates from the Saite-Persian period in a partly damaged wooden [[coffin]]. The last time a similar mask was found was in 1939.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Starr |first=Michelle |date=2018-07-16 |title=Archaeologists Have Uncovered a Place Where The Ancient Egyptians Mummifed Their Dead |url=https://www.sciencealert.com/saqqara-egypt-necropolis-mummification-workshop-silver-funerary-mask |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=ScienceAlert |language=en-US}}</ref> The eyes were covered with [[obsidian]], [[calcite]], and black hued [[gemstone]] possibly [[onyx]]. "The finding of this mask could be called a sensation. Very few masks of precious metal have been preserved to the present day, because the tombs of most Ancient Egyptian dignitaries were looted in ancient times." said Hussein.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Markus |date=2018-07-16 |title=Researchers discover gilded mummy mask |url=https://www.heritagedaily.com/2018/07/researchers-discover-gilded-mummy-mask/120943 |access-date=2020-05-10 |website=HeritageDaily |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mandal |first1=Dattatreya |date=2018-07-16 |title=The Mummy With The Silver Gilded Mask – Discovered In Saqqara, Egypt |url=https://www.realmofhistory.com/2018/07/16/mummy-silver-gilded-mask-saqqara-egypt/ |access-date=2020-05-10 |website=Realm of History |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930162117/https://www.realmofhistory.com/2018/07/16/mummy-silver-gilded-mask-saqqara-egypt/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In September 2018, several dozen cache of mummies dating 2,000 years back were found by a team of Polish archaeologists led by Kamil Kuraszkiewicz from the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the [[University of Warsaw]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=27 June 2019 |title=Polish archeologists uncover Egyptian mummies |url=https://tvpworld.com/43249026/polish-archeologists-uncover-egyptian-mummies |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=TVP World |language=en}}</ref> The Polish-Egyptian expedition works under the auspices of the [[Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Saqqara |url=https://pcma.uw.edu.pl/en/2019/02/03/saqqara/ |access-date=2020-08-18 |website=Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology}}</ref> Investigations were carried out for over two decades in the area to the west of the [[Djoser]] Pyramid. The most important discoveries include the tomb of vizier [[Merefnebef]] with a funerary chapel decorated with multi-colored reliefs, which was uncovered in 1997.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Myśliwiec|first1=K.|title=Saqqara I. The Tomb of Merefnebef.|last2=Kuraszkiewicz|first2=K. O.|last3=Czerwik|first3=D.|last4=Rzeuska|first4=T.|last5=Kaczmarek|first5=M.|last6=Kowalska|first6=A.|last7=Radomska|first7=M.|last8=Godziejewski|first8=Z.|publisher=Zaś Pan, PCMA UW, Neriton|year=2004|location=Varsovie}}</ref> as well as the tomb of courtier [[Nyankhnefertem]] uncovered in 2003.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Myśliwiec|first1=K.|title=Saqqara IV. The Funerary Complex of Nyankhnefertem.|last2=Kuraszkiewicz|first2=K.|publisher=Zaś Pan, PCMA UW, Neriton|year=2010|location=Varsovie}}</ref> The expedition also explored two necropoles. Archaeologists revealed several dozen graves of noblemen from the period of the [[Sixth Dynasty of Egypt|6th Dynasty]], dating to the 24th–21st century BC, and 500 graves of indigent people dating approximately to the 6th century BC – 1st century AD. Most of the bodies were poorly preserved and all organic materials, including the wooden caskets, had decayed.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zdzieblowski |first=Szymon |date=1 July 2019 |title=Dozens of mummies discovered by Polish archaeologists next to the world's oldest pyramid |url=http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C77724%2Cdozens-mummies-discovered-polish-archaeologists-next-worlds-oldest-pyramid.html |access-date=2019-09-23 |website=Science in Poland |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chatham |first=Anne |date=June 28, 2019 |title=Dozens of mummies dating back 2,000 years found next to world's oldest pyramid |url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/dozens-of-mummies-dating-back-2000-years-found-next-to-worlds-oldest-pyramid-6545 |access-date=2019-09-23 |website=The First News |language=en}}</ref> The tombs discovered most recently (in 2018) form part of the younger, so-called Upper Necropolis.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kuraszkiewicz|first=K. O.|date=2018|title=2018 Campaign|url=http://saqqara.uw.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/sites/213/2019/06/PEAMS-2018.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224102554/http://saqqara.uw.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/sites/213/2019/06/PEAMS-2018.pdf |archive-date=2020-12-24 |url-status=live|website=Polish-Egyptian Archaeological Mission Saqqara}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=Most of the mummies we discovered last season were very modest, they were only subjected to basic embalming treatments, wrapped in bandages and placed directly in pits dug in the sand|sign=Kamil Kuraszkiewicz.|source=|title=}}

The research of the Polish-Egyptian expedition also focuses on the interpretation of the so-called Dry Moat, a vast trench hewn around the Djoser Pyramid. The most recent discoveries confirm the hypothesis that the Dry Moat was a model of the pharaoh's journey to the netherworld, a road the deceased ruler had to follow to attain eternal life.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Szulc-Kajak|first=Agnieszka|date=2019|title=Sakkara – nowe odkrycia, nowe interpretacje|url=https://pcma.uw.edu.pl/2019/10/25/sakkara-nowe-odkrycia-nowe-interpretacje/|website=PCMA UW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Zdziebłowski|first=Szymon|title=Egyptologist: The trench surrounding the oldest pyramid of Egypt was a model of the way to the afterlife|url=https://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C77690%2Cegyptologist-trench-surrounding-oldest-pyramid-egypt-was-model-way-afterlife.html|access-date=2020-08-18|website=Science in Poland|language=en}}</ref>

In November 2018, an Egyptian archaeological mission located seven ancient Egyptian tombs at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara. Three of the tombs were used for cats, some dating back to the [[Fifth Dynasty of Egypt|Fifth]] and [[Sixth Dynasty of Egypt|Sixth]] Dynasties,<ref name="cnn.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/11/middleeast/egypt-tombs-cat-mummies-scarab-beetles/index.html | title=Dozens of cat mummies, rare beetles discovered in Egyptian tombs | website=[[CNN]] | date=11 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-archaeology-discovery/ancient-egyptian-tombs-yield-rare-find-of-mummified-scarab-beetles-idUSKCN1NF0KY|title=Ancient Egyptian tombs yield rare find of mummified scarab beetles|work=Reuters|date=11 November 2018}}</ref> while one of four other [[Sarcophagus|sarcophagi]] was unsealed. Among the dozens of cat mummies were 100 wooden and gilded statues of cats and one in bronze dedicated to the cat goddess Bastet, and funerary items dating back to the [[Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt|12th Dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/11/12/mummified-cats-found/|title=Dozens of Mummified Cats Found in 6,000-yr-old Egyptian Tombs|date=2018-11-12|website=The Vintage News|language=en|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/nov/11/dozens-of-cat-mummies-found-in-6000-year-old-tombs-in-egypt|title=Dozens of cat mummies found in 6,000-year-old tombs in Egypt|website=The Guardian|date=11 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brecorder.com/2018/11/12/452010/dozens-of-mummified-cats-beetles-unearthed-in-6000-year-old-egyptian-tombs/|title=Dozens of mummified cats, beetles unearthed in 6,000-year-old Egyptian tombs|date=2018-11-12|website=Business Recorder|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref> Another of the seven tombs belongs to Khufu-Imhat, the overseer of buildings in the royal palace.<ref name="cnn.com"/>

Also in November 2018, a collection of rare mummified scarab beetles was unearthed in two sarcophagi, one of which was decorated with paintings of large black beetles.<ref name="cnn.com"/>

Also in November 2018, the Egyptian government announced the discovery at Saqqara of a previously unknown 4,400-year-old tomb. It belongs to [[Wahtye]], a high-ranking priest<ref name="DivineInspectorJarusLiveScience">{{cite web |url= https://www.livescience.com/64317-saqqara-tomb-hidden-shafts-discovered.html |title= 4,400-Year-Old Tomb of 'Divine Inspector' with Hidden Shafts Discovered in Egypt |author= Owen Jarus |date= December 15, 2018 |work= [[Live Science]] |access-date= December 15, 2018 |quote= Wahtye was a high-ranking priest who carried the title of divine inspector, said [[Mostafa Waziri]], the general secretary of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities who led the Egyptian team that discovered the tomb...  }}</ref> who served under King [[Neferirkare Kakai]] during the [[Fifth Dynasty of Egypt|Fifth Dynasty]], and his wife, four children and mother.<ref>Brice-Saddler, Michael, "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2018/12/16/look-inside-one-kind-year-old-tomb-discovered-egypt/?wpisrc=nl_evening&wpmm=1 Look inside a ‘one of a kind,' 4,400-year-old tomb discovered in Egypt]", ''The Washington Post'', December 16, 2018.</ref><ref>Williams, A. R. (December 17, 2018). "Untouched 4,400-year-old tomb discovered at Saqqara, Egypt". National Geographic. Retrieved December 17, 2018.</ref><ref>"Egypt tomb: Saqqara 'one of a kind' discovery revealed". BBC News. December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2018.</ref><ref>Daragahi, Borzou (December 17, 2018). "Untouched 'one-of-a-kind' ancient tomb belonging to 'divine inspector' uncovered in Egypt". The Independent. Retrieved December 17, 2018.</ref> The tomb is about {{convert|33|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} long by {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} wide and has five burial shafts and a basement.<ref name="4,400-year-old tomb discovered in E">{{cite web| url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/egypt-saqqara-tomb/index.html| title=4,400-year-old tomb discovered in Egypt | website=[[CNN]]| date=16 December 2018 }}</ref> It contains more than fifty sculptures, and is painted with scenes of the family, wine and pottery making, musical performances, sailing, hunting, and furniture making.<ref name="4,400-year-old tomb discovered in E"/>

On 13 April 2019, an expedition led by a member of the [[Czech Republic|Czech]] Institute of [[Egyptology]], Mohamed Megahed, discovered a 4,000-year-old tomb near Egypt's Saqqara [[Necropolis]]. Archaeologists confirmed that the tomb belonged to an influential person named Khuwy, who lived in Egypt during the [[Fifth Dynasty of Egypt|5th Dynasty]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.geek.com/news/newly-discovered-4000-year-old-egyptian-tomb-stuns-archaeologists-1783165/|title=Newly Discovered 4,000-Year Old Egyptian Tomb Stuns Archaeologists|date=2019-04-15|website=Geek.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-23|archive-date=2020-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224101538/https://www.pcmag.com/news|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/egypt-paintings-color-scli-intl/index.html|title=Colorful tomb puzzles Egypt archaeologists|first=Jack |last=Guy|date=2019-04-15|website=CNN Travel|language=en|access-date=2019-04-23}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/science/egyptian-dignitary-colorful-tomb-discovery|title=Discovery of Egyptian dignitary's 4,000-year-old colorful tomb stuns archaeologists|last=Earl|first=Jennifer|date=2019-04-15|website=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-23}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/egypt-vivid-4-300-year-old-tomb-belonging-to-fifth-dynasty-senior-official-unveiled-11694402|title=Egypt: Vivid 4,300-year-old tomb belonging to Fifth Dynasty senior official unveiled|website=Sky News|language=en|access-date=2019-04-23}}</ref> "The L-shaped Khuwy tomb starts with a small corridor heading downwards into an antechamber and from there a larger chamber with painted reliefs depicting the tomb owner seated at an offerings table", reported Megahed.<ref name=":1" /> Some paintings maintained their brightness over a long time in the tomb. Mainly made of white limestone bricks, the tomb had a tunnel entrance generally typical for pyramids.<ref name=":1" /> Archaeologists say that there might be a connection between Khuwy and pharaoh because the mausoleum was found near the pyramid of Egyptian Pharaoh [[Djedkare Isesi]], who ruled during that time.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />

In October 2019, a cache of 30 coffins with mummies was discovered, at the time Egypt's largest in more than a century and the first cache to be discovered by a solely Egyptian mission.<ref name="Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancie">{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/19/middleeast/egypt-discovers-coffins-mummies-trnd/index.html | title=Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancient coffins with mummies inside | website=[[CNN]] | date=20 October 2019 }}</ref> The coffins were stacked on top of each other and arranged in two rows about three feet below the sandy surface.<ref name="Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancie"/> The first coffin's head was partially exposed in the sand, which led to the cache's discovery.<ref name="Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancie"/> Two of the coffins belonged to children, a rare occurrence in archeology.<ref name="Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancie"/> [[Mostafa Waziri]], secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that one could identify the mummy's gender by the shape of the hands on the coffin, open hands being female and hands balled into fists being male.<ref name="Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancie"/> The colors of the coffin inscriptions---made from limestone, red oak, turquoise, and other natural stones mixed with eggwhites—stayed intact, and the mixture of egg yolk and candle wax spread over the coffins to make them shine was still visible, making this a unique find.<ref name="Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancie"/>