Egypt shows off stunning newly discovered 4,000-year-old tomb in Saqqara

Archaeologists in Egypt have made an exciting tomb discovery, with the find described as “one of a kind in the last decades”.

Egypt has announced the discovery of a 4,400 year old tomb belonging to a senior official from the fifth dynasty of the pharaohs.

Announcing the discovery was Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani, who said the tomb was “exceptionally well preserved” and many statues of different sizes and colours.

The entrance of a newly-discovered tomb, at the Saqqara necropolis, 30 kilometres south of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Picture: Khaled Desouki / AFP.

The Egyptian Archaeological Mission working at the Sacred Animal Necropolis in Saqqara archaeological site succeeded to uncover the tomb. Picture: Amr Nabil / AP Photo

Mustafa Abdo, was the chief of excavation workers. Picture: Amr Nabil / AP Photo

The site of the tomb is in Saqqara, which is south of the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Saqqara is also home to the Step Pyramid.

The tomb reportedly belonged to a high priest named “Wahtye”, who during the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, under the reign of King Neferirkare.

Our experts John & Maria can finally reveal the details of their latest discovery at Geb el Silsila, an intact multiple burial shaft tomb! Further details & press contacts here https://t.co/8j1KsgT31b
Follow @johnwardkt & @DrMariaNilsson for the latest updates! #Egypt pic.twitter.com/JVzzAdcTku

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King Neferirkare was the third king of the Fifth Dynasty and he ruled from between 2500-2300 BC, according to AFP.

The tomb is decorated with scenes of the high priest and his family, according to the ministry.

Experts also say the tomb is also decorated in the name of Wahtye’s mother, “Merit Meen”, while his wife’s name was “Weret-Ptah”.

The tomb belonging to the high priest "Wahtye" who served during the fifth dynasty reign of King Neferirkare (between 2500-2300 BC), Picture: Khaled Desouki / AFP.

The well-preserved tomb is decorated with scenes showing the royal priest alongside his mother, wife and other members of his family. Picture: Khaled Desouki / AFP.

Egypt has been keen to promote new archaeological finds since tourist numbers dwindled after the 2011 uprising. Picture: Khaled Desouki / AFP.

According to Britannica, the distribution of tombs came during the Fifth Dynasty, after high officials were no longer considered part of the royal family, while some still did marry princesses.

Tombs were built away from Pyramids and apparently some of the finest tombs can be found in Saqqarah.

VIDEO: Egyptian archaeologists have discovered the tomb of a priest dating back more than 4,400 years in the pyramid complex of Saqqara, south of the capital Cairo https://t.co/Zo51JcH095 pic.twitter.com/eaJYr97RjY

— AFP news agency (@AFP) December 15, 2018

Egypt’s tourism has suffered, ever since the 2011 uprising. Egypt has been keen to promote new archaeological finds in recent years in hopes of attracting more visitors.

-With wires