The tombs were discovered at the eastern side of the site’s limestone escarpment. The find also includes hieroglyphic inscriptions and architectural features that provide new evidence about the officials, military leaders, and elite families who lived during the New Kingdom, while offering fresh insights into the history of the ancient Memphite necropolis.
According to Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), the significance of the discovery lies not only in the excavation of previously unknown tombs but also in reconstructing the lives of the individuals buried within them. He added that the inscriptions provide valuable information that enriches the study of Egyptian society during the New Kingdom.
He explained that the discovery forms part of the ongoing archaeological study of the Bubasteion Necropolis. Excavations are expected to continue in unexplored burial shafts and surrounding areas, where archaeologists anticipate uncovering additional tombs and archaeological evidence that will further illuminate the history of the necropolis.
Amr El-Tayeb, Director General of the Saqqara Archaeological Site, explained that the first tomb belongs to an official named Mentuhotep. Its northern wall preserves finely executed scenes of offering bearers and hunting, alongside a large depiction of the tomb owner seated with his mother, Eihotep, reflecting the family’s elevated social standing.
Hieroglyphic inscriptions record a series of prestigious titles held by Mentuhotep, including Hereditary Prince, Mayor, Royal Seal Bearer, One Who Pleases the Heart of the Ruler, Administrator, Overseer of Foreign Lands, and Overseer of the Army of Khabeshet, indicating that he occupied senior administrative and military positions during the early New Kingdom.
The tomb also contains a burial shaft that has yet to be fully excavated. Archaeologists plan to resume work during the next excavation season in the hope of uncovering additional evidence relating to Mentuhotep’s family and career.
He continued that the second tomb belongs to Paremwia, also known as Samut, who held the title Great Merchant of the Estate of Ptah. Inscriptions within the tomb preserve the names of his wife, Tuwi, who bore the title Lady of the House; his mother, Atibyu, a Singer of Amun; and his four sons, providing an unusually detailed record of the family life of a prominent New Kingdom official.
The third tomb belonged to Nehesy. Although poorly preserved, surviving inscriptions identify him as Supervisor of the House and mention his wife, Neferptah, who held the title Lady of the House.
Mohamed Abdel Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the SCA, asserted that among the tomb’s most important discoveries is part of a column bearing a hieroglyphic inscription referring to the return of a military commander from the land of Naharin in northern Syria.
“The inscription is particularly significant because it not only confirms the tomb’s New Kingdom date but also provides fresh evidence of Egypt’s military and diplomatic connections with the Near East during the period,” said Abdel Badie.
Short link: