Saqqara: An Egyptian archaeological mission has discovered the Old Kingdom tomb of a senior official, along with a network of burial shafts, three sealed stone sarcophagi, and more than 100 ushabti figurines at the Bubasteion necropolis in Saqqara.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the discovery was made during the mission's first excavation season in an area west of the Bubasteion. The tomb belonged to an official named Sekhentyu-Ptah and contained remains of a funerary chapel with its false door still in its original position.

The archaeologists found a collection of alabaster funerary objects in front of the false door, including an offering table, an offering disc, and a purification basin. These objects bear hieroglyphic inscriptions recording Sekhentyu-Ptah's name and titles.

The inscriptions indicate that Sekhentyu-Ptah held several senior positions, including royal chamberlain, supervisor of the king's works, supervisor of royal documents, priest of the goddess Maat, and supervisor of scribes.

The mission also uncovered interconnected burial shafts containing human remains, large quantities of decorated funerary cartonnage, and more than 100 faience ushabti figurines. Three stone sarcophagi were found still sealed in their original condition, alongside a wooden falcon figure, pottery vessels, and other artifacts.

The findings suggest that the necropolis continued to be used during later periods. Archaeologists mentioned that some burial shafts had been looted in ancient times, with tomb robbers creating openings between burial chambers.

The mission will continue excavations and scientific analysis of the finds, which are expected to provide further information about burial practices and the development of the Saqqara necropolis across different periods of ancient Egyptian history.