Cairo: An Egyptian archaeological mission working at the Bubasteion necropolis in Saqqara has uncovered three rock-cut tombs dating back to the New Kingdom during scientific excavations in the eastern sector of the site's cliff edge.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the discovery includes hieroglyphic inscriptions and significant archaeological elements that shed new light on the history of the ancient Memphis necropolis and enrich knowledge of senior state officials and members of society during the period.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the discovery confirms that Saqqara continues to hold archaeological treasures yet to be unearthed, adding that the site's successive discoveries underscore its exceptional cultural significance as one of the world's most important UNESCO World Heritage sites. He praised the efforts of Egyptian and foreign archaeological missions carrying out scientific excavations, saying every new discovery represents a valuable contribution to understanding ancient Egyptian civilization and helps complete the historical record of one of humanity's greatest civilizations.

For his part, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Hisham El-Leithy said that the significance of the discovery extends beyond the identification of new tombs to reviving the stories of their owners and restoring chapters of their history that remained buried beneath the sand for thousands of years. He said each new discovery carries considerable historical and human significance and contributes to studies of Egyptian society during the New Kingdom.

Mohamed Abdel Badie, the head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the discovery forms part of the archaeological study project at the Bubasteion necropolis. He added that it opens the way for further discoveries during upcoming excavation seasons, particularly as work continues inside burial shafts and unexplored areas that are expected to yield new archaeological and historical information, helping complete the historical picture of the tomb owners and adding new chapters to the history of the Bubasteion necropolis, one of Saqqara's richest archaeological cemeteries.