Egypt unveils ancient 'secret keeper' tomb, golden mummy

• 

Egypt uncovered a gold-laced mummy and four tombs on Thursday, with an ancient king's "secret keeper", found in the Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo.  

The huge burial site at a UNESCO World Heritage site houses more than a dozen pyramids, old Coptic Christian monasteries, and animal graves.

Egypt's former Antiquities Minister, Archaeologist Zahi Hawass, announced the most recent discovery, which dates from the fifth and sixth dynasties -- around the 25th to the 22nd centuries BC -- to reporters at the dig site.

Read: Egypt unearths 5 ancient tombs south of Cairo

The largest tomb, "decorated with scenes of daily life," belonged to a priest, inspector and supervisor of nobles called Khnumdjedef, said Hawass, adding that it was discovered in the pyramid complex of Unas, the last king of the fifth dynasty, who reigned around 4,300 years ago.  

Another tomb belonged to Meri, served as the pharaoh's appointed "secret keeper", a priestly title held by a top palace official granting the power and authority to perform special religious rituals, Hawass added.

Two other tombs were discovered, one belonged to a priest in pharaoh Pepi I's pyramid complex and the other to a judge and writer called Fetek, Hawass added.  

A collection of "the largest statues" ever found in the area, was included in Fetek's tomb, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri, told reporters.  

Read: Egypt unearths 250 mummies in ancient necropolis

The expedition also discovered a huge limestone sarcophagus, down a 15-meter shaft, that had remained sealed "just as the ancient Egyptians left it 4,300 years ago", Hawass said.  

A mummy featuring a "gold-leaf covering" was found inside. It belonged to a man, Hekashepes, according to Hawass, who described it as one of the most ancient and most complete non-royal mummies ever found in Egypt.  

Egypt has revealed several huge archaeological discoveries in recent years, and critics say the flurry of excavations has prioritized finds shown to get media attention over hard academic research.  

However, the discoveries have played an important role in reviving Egypt's vital tourism industry after years of political unrest, the Covid pandemic, and a severe economic crisis.

The government's plans aim to draw in 30 million tourists a year by 2028, up from 13 million before the pandemic, and officials say that the country's tourism industry accounts for 10% of GDP and some two million jobs.