Tomb dating back 4,400 years discovered in Egypt

Tomb likely to have belonged to high female official known as Hetpet from 5th Dynasty

A cameraman films wall paintings in the tomb of a high-ranking female official known as Hetpet, of the 5th Dynasty  of ancient Egypt, on the Giza plateau on the southern outskirts of Cairo. Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA
A cameraman films wall paintings in the tomb of a high-ranking female official known as Hetpet, of the 5th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, on the Giza plateau on the southern outskirts of Cairo. Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA

Archaeologists in Egypt say they have discovered a 4,400-year-old tomb near the pyramids outside Cairo.

Egypt’s Antiquities Ministry announced the discovery on Saturday and said the tomb is likely to have belonged to a high-ranking female official known as Hetpet, who lived during the 5th Dynasty of ancient Egypt.

The tomb includes wall paintings depicting Hetpet observing different hunting and fishing scenes.

An image taken from video  shows wall paintings inside a 4,400-year-old tomb near the pyramids outside Cairo, Egypt. The  Antiquities Ministry announced the tomb’s discovery on Saturday. Photograph: APTN/AP Photo
An image taken from video shows wall paintings inside a 4,400-year-old tomb near the pyramids outside Cairo, Egypt. The Antiquities Ministry announced the tomb’s discovery on Saturday. Photograph: APTN/AP Photo
A cameraman films wall paintings in the tomb of a high-ranking female official known as Hetpet, of the 5th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, on the Giza plateau on the southern outskirts of Cairo. Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA
A cameraman films wall paintings in the tomb of a high-ranking female official known as Hetpet, of the 5th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, on the Giza plateau on the southern outskirts of Cairo. Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA

Mostafa Al-Waziri, leader of the archaeological mission, says the scenes depict a monkey – some were commonly kept at the time as domestic animals – reaping fruit, and another monkey dancing before an orchestra.

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He believes Hetpet, who is thought to have been close to ancient Egyptian royals, had another tomb in Giza’s western necropolis, which is home to the tombs of top officials of Egypt’s Old Kingdom.

Mr Al-Waziri says excavation work is under way for the other tomb. – Associated Press