Archaeologists hailed a ‘dream discovery’ as a pink granite sarcophagus was unearthed near Cairo

The pink granite sarcophagus of a high-ranking Egyptian noble was found in an ancient burial chamber near Cairo, where it has lain for thousands of years.

It belonged to Ptah-em-wia, who served as head of the treasury under Ramses the Great, and has been described by archaeologists as a “dream discovery”.

Dating up to 3,300 years old, the stone coffin, inscribed on all sides with emblems, hieroglyphs and titles, was found in pristine condition and in its original tomb 23 feet underground.

Professor Ola El Aguizy, who discovered the sarcophagus in Saqqara, hopes the find will shed light on those who ruled Egypt after Tutankhamun.

The Cairo University archaeologist said: “The hieroglyphs on the sarcophagus confirm that it is Ptah-em-wia, and also the titles mentioned on the sarcophagus are the same as those found on the walls of the tomb itself.

“It only emphasizes that he is a nobleman and very close to the king, because his titles, which refer to the million-year-old temple in Thebes, prove that he had a very important role in the administration of the time.

“He could be put on an equal footing with finance minister these days.”

The pink granite sarcophagus of Ptah-em-wia, a high-ranking Egyptian noble, was found in an ancient burial chamber near Cairo, where it has lain for thousands of years

Professor Ola El Aguizy (pictured), who discovered the sarcophagus at Saqqara, hopes the find will shed light on those who ruled Egypt after Tutankhamun

Professor El Aguizy and her team descended into the burial chamber by sitting in a large metal bucket that had to be pulled up and down by hand

The sarcophagus was unveiled in the fourth series of Lost Treasures of Egypt, which premiered on National Geographic on Sunday.

The shallow tomb was discovered by Professor El Aguizy last season, but she was unable to descend into the subterranean chamber until this year.

The archaeologists had to move several tons of sand to create a shaft that would allow them to reach the first level of the tomb, located near the pyramid of King Unas.

There they found 3,000-year-old stone masonry that needed to be strengthened before they could descend safely any further.

It had a small depression in the bottom that concealed a second shaft, which the team descended by sitting in a large metal bucket that had to be pulled up and down by hand.

This second subterranean level was the burial chamber where the sarcophagus lay.

The archaeologists had to move several tons of sand to create a shaft that would allow them to reach the first level of the tomb

Finding the coffin in such good condition and in the tomb of its original owner are both rarities in Saqqara. Grave robbers were active in the area in ancient times, and most of the graves were then reused several times, so not many of the original owner’s belongings remained there

WHAT WAS SAQQARA?

Saqqara is famous as an Egyptian village containing ancient tombs of Egyptian kings.

Saqqara contains numerous pyramids, including the step pyramid of Djoser, which is widely believed to be the oldest pyramid in the world.

The site stretches along the edge of the desert plateau for about 8 km, bordering Abu Ṣīr to the north and Dahshūr to the south.

In 1979, the ancient ruins of the Memphis area, including Ṣaqqārah, Abu Ṣīr, Dahshūr, Abu Ruwaysh, and the Pyramids of Giza, were jointly designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Source: Encyclopædia Britannica

Finding the coffin intact and in the tomb of its original owner are both rarities in Saqqara.

Although it was in good condition, part of its lid had been broken off and left in a corner of the room, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

Archaeologists claim that this was the result of grave robbers breaking open and looting the coffin.

Grave robbers were active in the area in ancient times, and most of the graves were then reused several times, so not many of the original owner’s belongings remained there.

However, Ptah-em-wia was the original builder of the tomb in which his sarcophagus was found.

His coffin features a record of all his titles including Great Overseer of the Cattle and Royal Scribe.

He headed the treasury of the Egyptian pharaoh, King Ramses II, in the era after Tutankhamun’s death.

It also has an image of a human figure with hands crossed in front of his chest and Ptah-em-wia’s face with a false chin.

Professor El Aguizy said: “This sarcophagus is a good example of New Kingdom style sarcophagi for the elite.

“It is made of granite and is inscribed with the usual emblems of the gods: the sky goddess Nut on the lid, covering the chest with her open wings to protect the deceased, the four sons of the sun god Horus surrounding the sarcophagus with prayers the protection of the deceased.

“The facial features and beard also show the fine artistic features of New Kingdom art and the high rank of the deceased.”

According to the show’s producer, this is the “find of the season” and is of enormous importance in the archaeological world.

Professor El Aguizy’s team will now fully examine the sarcophagus to uncover the full life story of Ptah-em-wia.

The eight-part series uncovers the mysteries of ancient civilization by crawling through tombs and tracking digs using the latest technology.

You can watch Lost Treasures of Egypt on National Geographic with a Disney Plus subscription.

Professor Ola El Aguizy said: “The hiéroglyphs on the sarcophagus confirm that it is Ptah-em-wia, and also the titles mentioned on the sarcophagus are the same as those on the walls of the tomb itself. It only emphasizes that he is a nobleman and is very close to the king, for his titles, which refer to the temple at Thebes millions of years old, prove that he had a very important role in the administration of that time.

The above-ground tomb was discovered by Professor El Aguizy last season, but she was unable to descend into the subterranean chamber until this year

According to the show’s producer, this is the “find of the season” and is of enormous importance in the archaeological world

WHO WAS RAMSES II?

The sun’s rays illuminate statues (pictured) in the Great Temple at Abu Simbel in Egypt twice a year

Ramses II lived from 1279 BC. to 1213 BC

The pharaoh was known to the Egyptians as Userma’atre’setepenre, which according to the Ancient History Encyclopedia means “Guardian of Harmony and Balance, Strong in Law, Chosen One of Ra”.

Ramses II was the third pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty who is said to have declared a decisive victory over the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh.

Ramses II allegedly displayed the results of this battle to improve his reputation.

However, the fight ended in a draw and wasn’t exactly a win for either party.

In fact, this led to the earliest known peace treaty, signed in 1258 BC. was written.

Ramses II is commonly associated with the pharaoh depicted in the book of Exodus in the Bible.

But there is no archaeological or historical evidence linking the two figures.

Ramses II testified before his death in 1213 B.C. more than 100 children – more than any other pharaoh.