Archaeologists have uncovered a 4,100-year-old tomb in Saqqara, part of the ancient Egyptian necropolis of Memphis, revealing vibrant wall paintings and inscriptions. The French-Swiss excavation team believes the tomb belonged to Tetinebefou, a renowned 'magical' doctor and priest who may have treated Pharaohs during the reign of King Pepi II, approximately 2305-2118 BC.
A false-door gravestone bearing the name Tetinebefou was found, along with a limestone lintel inscribed with hieroglyphs detailing his titles. The team described the wall paintings as being in 'bright, fresh colours,' depicting jugs, vases, and jewellery.
One inscription refers to Tetinebefou as the 'conjurer of the goddess Serqet,' suggesting his role in healing venomous bites and stings. He was also designated as a 'director of medicinal plants' and 'chief dentist,' titles that were uncommon in ancient Egypt.
Philippe Collombert, the lead archaeologist from the University of Geneva, stated, 'He was certainly the main physician at the royal court, so he would have treated the pharaoh himself.' However, the tomb appears to have been largely ransacked, with no artefacts or human remains found.
Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities hailed the discovery as an 'incredible find,' offering insights into daily life during the Old Kingdom and enhancing Saqqara's significance as an archaeological site. The team also located a stone sarcophagus inscribed with the physician's name and titles, with further analysis ongoing.
This discovery follows another significant find in December, where a 4,000-year-old tomb was unearthed near Luxor, believed to date back to the 12th Dynasty.