Ancient Judge’s Mastaba Unearthed at Saqqara

During the 2026 summer excavation season, a joint Spanish-Egyptian team uncovered a 4,300-year-old mastaba in the Mariette Cemetery area of northern Saqqara, south of Cairo. The flat-roofed tomb contains two funerary chapels: one for the senior official Yunmen, a judge who heard petitions, and a second for his father Ity, a senior scribe overseeing agricultural lands. The reliefs retain original colours and depict farmers, offering processions, and animals such as donkeys. The find was announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

Times of IsraelEuronewsSpanish-Egyptian mission unearths late Fifth Dynasty tomb of a judge in Saqqara

The tomb dates to the late Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (approximately 2494-2345 BC), specifically to the reign of Pharaoh Djedkare Isesi, a ruler noted for administrative reforms. Officials like Yunmen were responsible for reviewing complaints and upholding the principle of Maat—truth, justice, and social order. The site lies within Saqqara, a necropolis first explored by French archaeologist Auguste Mariette in the 19th century but only recently subjected to systematic scientific documentation.

Times of Israel

The excavation was led by Josep Cervelló Autuori of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, with support from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized that while the mastaba’s location was known, this season marked the first comprehensive study. Amr El-Tibi, Director General of the Saqqara Antiquities Area, confirmed completion of the scientific documentation and the launch of a conservation programme for the tomb’s architecture and paintings.

Spanish-Egyptian mission unearths late Fifth Dynasty tomb of a judge in Saqqara EuronewsTimes of Israel

Egyptian officials highlight the discovery’s value for understanding late Fifth-Dynasty administration, architecture, and art. The preservation of original pigments offers rare insight into Old Kingdom colour palettes. Researchers plan to investigate two additional mastabas identified nearby in forthcoming excavation seasons, aiming to further map the organization of the Saqqara necropolis.

Spanish-Egyptian mission unearths late Fifth Dynasty tomb of a judge in Saqqara