Extraordinary Discovery by Czech Egyptologists from the time of the pyramid build ****************************************************************************************** * Extraordinary Discovery by Czech Egyptologists from the time of the pyramid builders ****************************************************************************************** Czech Egyptologists [ URL "http://egyptologie.ff.cuni.cz/?req=doc:ustav&lang=en&"] from th at Charles University in Prague discovered a burial complex of high officers of the Egypti including the court of an Egyptian Princess dating back to approximately 2500 BC. “This ex discovery opens a new chapter in the history of the burial site in Abusir,” commented Prof the head of the archaeological expedition in Abusir, about the success of the Czech team. an insight into a time 4500 years ago and step by step we can document the life and afterl historically important personalities from the time of the pyramid builders.” The complex, which has been explored very little, is formed of several excellently preserv tombs and a remarkable courtyard with pillars bearing the name and titles of an Ancient Eg The Ancient Egyptian architects most likely used the natural depression in the rock surfac yard that is 4 metres deep. It is almost lost between the mastabas of the officials that w it on higher ground. The northern and western walls of the yard were panelled by lime ston the southern wall was carved into the rock. The eastern wall was also built out of lime st there is a long staircase of lime stone slabs running from the North to the South. In the yard, four pillars can be found which originally supported the architraves with the blocks. On the south side of all four pillars, there are the name and titles of the owner “King’s daughter of his body, his beloved, revered in front of the Great God, Sheretnebty. this yard was a princess who is so far unidentified, but the preliminary research implies the second half of the 5th dynasty, around 4500 years ago. It is worth taking note of the fact that the court of the princess is located in the south the necropolis of Abusir, among the tombs of non-royal officials. At this time, the majori family members were buried about a kilometre to the north, in the proximity of the complex of the Egyptian rulers from the 5th dynasty. It was here that 30 years ago, the then Czech researched the complex of pyramids of King Raneferef and his mother Queen Chentkaus II, as tombs of the princesses from the end of the 5th dynasty. A corridor runs from the court towards the east and there are entrances to four tombs loca southern wall of the court. The tombs were carved into the rock on the southern side. So f have been explored, all of them belonging to high officials. The owner of the first of the inspector of the palace attendants. The second one was built for the chief of justice of t Shepespuptah, and the most eastern tomb belonged to the overseer of the scribes, Nefer. Th can most likely be dated back to the time of the rule of Djedkare Isesi in 25 BC, whereas seems to be slightly older. The last tomb, which is located between Nefer’s and Shepespupt still being researched by the archaeologists and the name of its owner is not yet known. The Czech team were able to make some extraordinary finds when exploring the court, corrid tombs. Amongst others, they found a remarkable set of statues. Four large lime stone naoi statues were found in the eastern corridor, between the tombs’ entrances. The one furthest a man, another shows a man with a small son and in the eastern part of the corridor, to th entrance to Nefer’s tomb, there is a naos depicting three figures, a woman in the middle a sides. Their identity is subject to further archaeological and historical research. Inside of Nefer’s tomb, another surprise awaited the archaeologists. On its western wall, location, a beautifully decorated false-door has been preserved. False-doors were supposed purpose of being a connection between this world and the afterlife, so the deceased inside accept offerings placed there by the family. The false-door is covered by inscriptions tha to magically ensure Nefer and his wife Hathorneferet had a sufficient amount of food for t existence. The inscriptions also list their titles and ranks. The hieroglyphic marks are n but also painted and the original colours are still well preserved. In the entrance part of the tomb the Czech team discovered a serdab, i.e. a walled niche, Nefer put his statues. The serdab was found intact and contained four lime stone statues w decoration. The statues depicted Nefer in several roles; two of them show him as a walking as a scribe with a papyrus scroll in his lap and the last statue presents him together wit Hathorneferet as she embraces him gently around the shoulders. Fragments of other statues were found in the court and the corridor. It is the largest set of officers that have been discovered in Abusir. The quality of the artificial craftsmansh extraordinary and it reflects the high status of the owners. The research in this site will continue for another four weeks and it is already possible information that has been acquired will change our current opinions on this important peri of Ancient Egypt greatly.