By
The Associated Press
ABU SIR, Egypt - A team of Czech archaeologists say they have discovered the 4,300-year-old tomb of a nobleman in the windy sand dunes of Abu Sir southwest of Cairo.
"We succeeded in finding a new tomb dating to the 6th Dynasty and the reign of Pepi," said Bratislav Vachala, who is leading the excavations.
According to Vachala, the tomb was built for a judge named Inti, who also held numerous titles in the priesthood, one of the most powerful elements of ancient Egyptian society.
The tomb covers an area of 75 by 100 feet and contains both aboveground and subterranean structures built with mud and limestone. The underground portion reaches at least 65 feet beneath the earth's surface through a shaft to a burial chamber.
Vachala told The Associated Press the tomb appears to be part of a larger family funerary complex that probably includes the graves of Inti's wife and sons.
Three nearly intact statues depicting a priest named Meryhryshef were found in the tomb, he said.
"The tomb can tell a lot of who were the priests and who had what responsibilities for this period during the reign of Pepi," Vachala said. "The walls also contain some very interesting depictions of musicians accompanied by song lyrics - it is somehow concerning the admiration for a woman."
Although it was robbed in antiquity, the tomb is relatively well preserved, Vachala said. It still contains numerous artifacts including a large alabaster sarcophagus engraved with hieroglyphics, fragments of funerary jars, wall reliefs, a near intact stele, and skeletal remains - which he said were strewn throughout the tomb.
"It's very exciting," said Egypt's director of antiquities for Giza and Sakkara, Zahi Hawass. "We believe that there could be a much bigger cemetery at Abu Sir than we knew about."
