"I saw a man's mummy completely covered with layers of gold"

The archaeologist and former Egyptian antiquities minister Sahi Hawass is never at a loss for big words. Accordingly, his boast is heard: "I stuck my head in to see what was inside the sarcophagus: A beautiful mummy of a man completely covered in layers of gold."

Egypt has presented new archaeological finds from the ancient necropolis of Saqqara. The more than 4,000-year-old finds at the necropolis south of Cairo are the gold-decorated mummy and four tombs, including that of a "secret guardian" of the ancient Egyptian king, Hawass said.

The finds are therefore from the years 2500 to 2100 BC and were assigned to the fifth and sixth pharaoh dynasty. The largest of the four tombs was built for a priest and overseer named Khnumddschedef. Decorated with scenes of everyday life at the time, it was discovered in the pyramid complex of Unas, the last king of the Fifth Dynasty, who reigned some 4,300 years ago.

Another tomb belonged to Meri, who, according to Hawass, served as the pharaoh's "secret guardian." It was a priestly title held by a high-ranking palace official, giving him the right to perform certain religious rituals.

The third tomb was built for a priest named Messi in the pyramid complex of Pharaoh Pepi I, and the fourth belonged to a judge and scribe named Fetek. The head of Egypt's Supreme Antiquities Council, Mostafa Wasiri, said Fetek's tomb contained the "largest statues" ever discovered in the area.

The Saqqara Necropolis is a vast necropolis on the site of Egypt's former capital, Memphis. The Unesco World Heritage Site includes more than a dozen pyramids and ancient Christian Copt monasteries.

The mummy, the discovery of which has now been announced, was found in a limestone sarcophagus. The coffin was found in a 15 meter deep ditch and was sealed "just like the ancient Egyptians had left it 4,300 years ago".

Decorated with gold leaf, the mummy is the remains of a man named Hekashepes. Hawass stressed that it was one of the best-preserved mummies of a non-royal body ever found in Egypt.

Just a few days ago, results were presented for a 2,300-year-old mummy, the so-called "Golden Boy". X-raying with the computer tomograph revealed magnificent accessories. Among other things, a golden tongue amulet was placed in the mouth of the deceased to enable him to speak in the afterlife.

Egypt has presented a large number of archaeological finds in recent years. Critics warn that this is more about media attention than sound research.

In fact, after years of political instability and the corona pandemic, Egypt, which is stuck in an economic crisis with its archaeological treasures, wants to boost tourism, which is so important for the country. The long-planned opening of the new Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which is now scheduled to take place this year after being postponed several times, should also be seen in this context.

By 2028, Egypt aims to reach 30 million tourists a year. That is 13 million more per year than before the corona pandemic.

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