Trio of Kingdom tombs just uncovered in Egypt's Saqqara
Archaeologists just revealed a trio kingdom tombs egypts discovery: three rock-cut New Kingdom burials (ca. 1550–1070 B.C.) at Saqqara's Bubasteion Necropolis. Inscriptions identify Mentuhotep, Paremwia, and Nahsi, offering rare detail on elite Memphis officials, their families, and Egypt's Near East links.
According to Robb Report, an Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered the rock-cut tombs at Bubasteion in Saqqara, about 40 km southwest of Cairo. Saqqara was a major cemetery for Memphis, the ancient capital.
In the second half of the 18th Dynasty (1550–1292 BCE), high-ranking dignitaries carved tombs into Bubasteion's limestone cliffs. These elite eternal residences still draw readers who follow heritage prestige and luxury real estate and dream homes.
Key Takeaways
- Three New Kingdom rock-cut tombs were opened at Saqqara's Bubasteion Necropolis.
- Hieroglyphs name Mentuhotep, Paremwia (also called Samut), and Nahsi with unusually rich personal detail.
- Mentuhotep held top civil and military titles; Paremwia's tomb records his wife, mother, and four sons.
- A column inscription in Nahsi's damaged tomb describes a military commander's return from Syria.
- Officials say the finds sharpen our picture of New Kingdom society at Egypt's peak of power.
What exactly was uncovered at Saqqara?
Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the hieroglyphic inscriptions give unusually detailed information about the people buried there. Amr El-Tayeb, director of the Saqqara Archaeological Site, outlined who owned each chamber.
The work was first reported by Ahram Online. Together, the three tombs expand Saqqara's record of New Kingdom cliff burials for Memphis elites.
Who were Mentuhotep, Paremwia, and Nahsi?
The first tomb belonged to Mentuhotep. One relief shows him seated with his mother, Eihotep. Inscriptions list titles 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. That points to a top early New Kingdom administrator and military official. An unexcavated burial shaft may reveal more.
The second tomb was Paremwia's, also known as Samut, Great Merchant of the Estate of Ptah. Texts name his wife Tuwi, Lady of the House; his mother Atibyu, a Singer of Amun; and his four sons—rare family insight for an elite New Kingdom official.
The third tomb, in poor condition, belonged to Nahsi, identified as supervisor of the house, with his wife Neferptah as lady of the house.
Why does the Syria inscription matter?
One striking find is an inscription carved into a column in Nahsi's tomb describing the return of a military commander from Syria. Mohamed Abdel Badie of the Supreme Council of Antiquities said it confirms the New Kingdom date and adds fresh evidence of Egypt's military and diplomatic connections with the Near East.
Taken together, El-Leithy notes, the discoveries help explain Egyptian society in the New Kingdom, when ancient Egypt's prosperity and power reached their height.